Mr WOOD says...
Great holiday, despite the rain, starting on the first day that hotels were able to open post-COVID. Its a real experience to see such a remote part of ...
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Few places stir the imagination like Loch Ness; a jewel in Scotland's crown and a window to its wild and wistful soul. This is a magical place of undisputed natural beauty, shrouded in mystery and legend, where history and heritage are greatly revered.
Our 6-night self-guided walk explores the remote, southern side of Loch Ness where shady forests, tumbling waterfalls and rolling, heather-clad moors provide a misty backdrop to some of the most spectacular hiking in the Scottish Glens. It's a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape and the place to visit if you want peace, tranquillity and an 'escape from it all' experience.
The walking is relaxed, with a few serious climbs, taking in: the serene Caledonian Canal, a section of the Great Glen Way, pretty Beauly Firth and a wealth of lochs and rivers whose glassy waters mirror the seemingly endless sky. Plant and birdlife are prolific, and there's a high probability of spotting deer too.
The south side of Loch Ness was once the main military route from Fort Augustus to Inverness, and its undiscovered woodland, quiet paths and remote villages are steeped in history. Everywhere you'll be staying has its own unique appeal: a Victorian former mansion; a Highlands country inn; a friendly B&B with direct beach access, and a luxury riverside hotel in the heart of Inverness.
Varied walking following a mixture of woodland paths, country lanes and forest tracks. Some steep, but relatively short, ascents and descents, but a good head for heights is not necessary.
Arrive in the wonderful waterside town of Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.
You stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace (breakfast included)
After a transfer this morning, from Inverness to Invergarry, set off along a section of the Great Glen Way, overlooking Loch Oich, to the historic Bridge of Oich. Continue along the Caledonian Canal towpath to Fort Augustus, at the southern tip of Loch Ness.
You stay at The Lovat (breakfast included)
Spend the day in Fort Augustus, walking in the surrounding woodland or taking a boat trip on the world-famous waters of Loch Ness to visit Urquhart Castle.
You stay at The Lovat (breakfast included)
Follow the South Loch Ness Trail with spectacular views of the wild and timeless Highlands. Pass through the village of Whitebridge and on, through shaded forest, to Rabbie Burns' famous Falls of Foyers.
You stay at the Craigdarroch Inn (breakfast included)
Head up through the Boleskine woods to Inverfarigaig, with stunning views of the crags of Dun Deardail; from Fair-Haired Lad's Pass down over Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
You stay at Pottery House (breakfast included)
After a short bus ride to Inverness, take in the Ness Islands, ancient Craig Phadrig, the sea locks at Beauly Firth and perhaps even spot some dolphins dancing in the waters! Loop back to Inverness to explore its shops, cafes and castle.
You stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace (breakfast included)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
With beautiful views overlooking Loch Ness and a very warm welcome from your hosts John and Glen, the Pottery House B&B is conveniently situated within a 5 minute walk to Dores. There are 3 large, very comfortable rooms, 2 of which with lake views, all with modern amenities such as power showers, a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. The attention to detail is second to none, including a hand produced local information book and Highland toiletries. Excellent, award winning breakfasts are cooked to order using local produce.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Inverness train station at any time (5 mins), no transfer is included at the end of the trip.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Great holiday, despite the rain, starting on the first day that hotels were able to open post-COVID. Its a real experience to see such a remote part of Scotland.
All of the hotels were welcoming, with a particular mention for the Best Western Inverness Palace who were incredibly helpful in helping us find a parking space.
Headwater response:
Thanks Mr Wood for your holiday feedback, great to hear you had a wonderful time in Scotland, especially as you were one of our first departures post lockdown.
Customer Service Team
A very enjoyable time walking the Great Glen ay. I think Headwater should have been more pro-active in advising us about places to eat when on the trip. I had to research this, including information about when hotels did and did not serve evening meals. Some information was sent to me, but just before we left and I had already made bookings. Also, I thought we had paid for a Delux Double room at the Lovat, but we were given room 12, which looked like a standard room at the back of the hotel. Could you please check this and get back to us about it.
Headwater response:
Dear Mr Tabor, thank you for taking the time to let us know you had a very enjoyable holiday with Headwater, and thank you for your feedback. With regards to Headwater providing information about places to dine along our walking route or during the evenings, we tend not to provide detailed information on this topic, the main reason being it ensures customers have the freedom to choose a place that meets their personal requirements. Regarding the room type at the Lovat I believe a member of our team has contacted you directly to confirm room 12 was a Deluxe room.
Thank you for choosing to travel with Headwater and we very much look forward to welcoming you in the very near future.
Customer Service Team
Beautiful locations and wonderful walking with an eclectic mix of accommodation
Overall the holiday was good however it is a pity that you cannot leave your hotel for the next days walk without getting a lift to the starting point. Inverness and Fort Augustus were great and the Hotel Lovat was first class in all respects. Ticket to Ride were brilliant and supplied us with further maps and info and were always ready to pick us up at the agreed time. Have spent many better holidays with Headwater, at least 7 I would think, but having said that visiting Inverness for the first time was a treat and Fort Augustus with its 4 Lochs always provided much interest. Good to have a very informative boat trip on the Ness from Fort Augustus. The walk from Loch Tarff was the Highlands as we expected to see.
Flawlessly organised and a great trip!
An excellent walking holiday in very fine scenery staying in top-of-the-range accommodation.
headwater is a very professional company, everything worked out well regarding accommodation and the transporting of our luggage. We did not have any worries at all as the transport was on time and in most cases earlier than the stated pick up time.
The Craigdarroch Inn is sadly in need of an upgrade and getting a meal is a chore. Unfortunately on a walking holiday you are a captive audience as there is nothing else in the vicinity. Give consideration to missing this hotel if possible until it improves.
A lovely way to see Loch Ness and parts of the Caledonian canal.
An exciting and often unexpected walk beside a great canal, and in the surrounding hills and forests. Glorious views, and the chance to visit interesting sites such as the Culloden battlefield and the iron age fort above Inverness.
A very enjoyable active holiday with wonderful scenery.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Standard transfers to your first hotel (if booking inclusive flights), pay locally for return transfer
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Inverness train station at any time (5 mins), no transfer is included at the end of the trip.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
