Destination: Highland Council Part 2
In part 2 of Destination: Highland Council we are moving out of Inverness. We will be looking down towards Glencoe and over to the Isle of Skye. There is a lot of area to cover so I have Google Maps to show where we are exploring.
Not shown on this map, but just outside Inverness city is Moy Country Fair. The whole family can enjoy field sports activities including competitions in fly casting, gun dog handling and clay pigeon shooting. This takes place August 8-9, 2025.
Cairgorms and Aviemore Area
Most of these places we planned to see in 2020, the visit that didn’t happen.
*VisitCairgorms will help you plan a visit with 100 things to do in Cairgorms National Park.
*Aviemore is a town in the Cairngorms National Park.
*Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle
*Rothiemurchus offers a host of outdoor activities.
*Highland Wildlife Park: Home of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
*Ruthven Barracks was built 1719-1721 by George I following the Jacobite rising of 1715.
Moving to the Centre of Scotland
- Highland Folk Museum, where you can step back in time and experience life in the Highlands from 1700s to the 1950s.
- Here are great directions to get to Pattack Falls.
- If you watch Monarch of the Glen, you will recognize Ardverikie Estate. It was also used for the filming of Mrs. Brown, and several other shows!
- The Centre of Scotland Stone has some amazing, and amusing stories connected to it. It’s probably best to not get into any discussions with a Scot about it. And certainly, don’t try to steal it!
Fort Augustus
- Fort Augustus has much to see and do, whether you are looking for history or outdoor adventures.
- The circular walk at Allt Na Criche near Fort Augustus offers walkers challenging climbs, peaceful waterfalls and amazing Loch Ness views!
- Suidhe Viewpoint is a part of Jacobite history. This stretch of road is also known as General Wade’s Military Road. In 1724 he was sent to report about the Jacobite problem. He recommended building forts.
- Invergarry Castle was built by the MacDonnells (MacDonalds/Clan Ranald) in 1602.
Ben Nevis and Vicinity
- Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK at 1345m (that’s 4413′ for us Americans). VisitScotland gives more things to do and information, including two very different meanings of the name! Beinn Nibheis can be translated from the ancient Gaelic as ‘mountain with its head in the clouds’, or ‘venomous mountain’. I guess you choose your interpretation with how your hike up it went!
- Steall Falls is the second highest waterfall in Scotland. I’m quite certain that I would be one of the waders at the end of the hike! The water would be just a bit… REFRESHING!
- Grey Mares Tail Waterfall has an interesting history and is one of Scotland’s favorite waterfalls. Using THESE coordinates will get you to the proper car park, NOT someone’s residence. It appears, from Google reviews, that Google Maps may route you to a private residence instead of the official parking area. Parking needs to be paid online, or it is free for National Trust for Scotland members.
Driving from Fort William to Eilean Donan Castle
- Glengarry Viewpoint East has GREAT Google reviews!
- Battle of Glen Sheil has a car park where you can walk to Waterfall River Shiel.
- Loch Cluanie Viewpoint has GREAT Google reviews!
- Glenshiel Highland Pony Trekking Centre is a small family run business that offers pony trekking and trail riding in the Highlands of Scotland.
- Clachan Duich Bridge has gorgeous views!
- Right on the A87 is a car park where you can visit:
- Kevins Way a historic cemetery.
- Great War Memorial-I couldn’t find any definite information, but brave Scots have fought in every war.
- St. Dubhthac’s Church
- Clachan Duich Burial Ground has an interesting history, and ties to Eilean Donan Castle.
- Eilean Donan Castle is the most photographed castle in Scotland. It has an Upper Viewpoint and a Lookout Observation Deck.
- All the Goodness Bakery & Coffee Shop looks like a perfect place to stop for a cuppa and a sweetie on the way to Skye!
- Falls of Glomach is the third highest waterfall in the UK.
Part 2 of Our Destination: Highland Council in Conclusion
My conclusion of this 2nd part of Highland Council is that you need at least a month to do justice to all, or at least some, of the mountain climbing, hiking, and sightseeing. Then there are all of the museums, towns, historic homes and castles to visit. And don’t forget the stones. Scotland has a plethora of ancient stones to see!
A special thanks to Pixabay photographers: dkean271 for Mountain Ben Nevis, Anwic for Eilean Donan Castle Scotland, and Barni1 for Eilean Donan Castle
