You must book your place in advance with the Leader. Members can access full details here using their password (those members who have yet to receive a password or need a reminder should contact the Secretary.)
Non-members should contact the Secretary.
Welcome to the winter walking program. As things return to normal, Covid is sadly still with us. Please read the following notes carefully.
Car Sharing
Car sharing reduces overall petrol use and parking congestion at the start point, and also allows members with no transport to participate. On the other hand, Covid and other nasty viruses are still with us, and car-sharing carries a significantly higher risk of transmission than outdoor activities. New, more aggressive versions of the virus may yet appear.
Leaders can choose to specify a rendezvous point (often the UHI offices on Ness Walk – the old Royal Northern Infirmary building: click here to see map) as well as a start point, to facilitate car sharing. The ground rules are:
- Walkers can still choose to travel directly to the start point (parking space permitting).
- Drivers must not be pressurised to offer lifts. Those drivers (or transport bubbles) who choose not to share their car with others may prefer to travel direct to the start point to avoid awkwardness.
- Neither the Leader not the Club can police Covid testing or vaccination status. Those who decide to car share do so at their own risk.
- All walkers must pre-book with the Leader. Assist the leader by providing your mobile phone number, an emergency contact number (for safety reasons during the walk), and whether you intend to meet at the rendezvous point or go directly to the start.
Booking a few days in advance is appreciated – particularly for walks involving a car shuttle, which require a lot of planning. - You should aim to arrive 15 minutes or so before the advertised time.
Contribution to transport costs
When sharing a car, walkers should contribute to transport costs. The recommended rate is 30p per mile, divided among the number of occupants of the vehicle.
To locate the starting point: if you are reading this document on your computer or smartphone, just click on the provided grid reference, and a map showing the start point will open in your browser.
If reading a paper copy, open http://streetmap.co.uk/ on an internet browser and enter the grid reference in the search field (2 letters, 6 digits, no spaces). It may also be possible to search on some Satnav devices – see manufacturer’s instructions.
Other information
Please click to access walk gradings and safety information.
Friday 26th December: Dores & Torr Wood (plus Nessie spotting)
Grade: C Time: 10:00 Grid ref: NH600350 OS sheet: 26
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building, Ness Walk Time: 09:30
A fairly short, non-taxing walk, eminently suitable for those still hungover from the day before. Starting at the Dores village car park, the walk starts along the road to the Dores Inn pub. After passing through the pub car park, it follows the shore of Loch Ness along the pebble beach, then turns NE through Torr Wood. A fine woodland walk up to Aldourie jetty (attractive views along the loch) and then to Aldourie castle. It then returns via a different woodland path, parallel to the shoreline but inland this time, leading to open views, even including a stone circle. It exits the wood to retrace the route along the beach and back to the car park.
Distance – 4.5 miles / 7.0km: Ascent – 215ft feet: / 65 meters:
Sunday 4th January: Canal Muirtown circular
Grade: C Time: 10:00 Grid ref: NH664446 OS sheet: 26
Rendezvous point: UHI Time: 9.45
Walk from UHI meeting point crossing Bught Park over top of cemetery down onto East canal side. Continue on to Muirtown basin to Clachnaharry locks where we will have break. Return West side of canal crossing at Tommahurich bridge, passing floral hall back to start.
Distance – 7.25 miles/ 11.5 km: Ascent – 227 feet/ 70 meters:
Saturday 10th January: Whitefold by Highland Boath to Banchor
Grade: C Time: 10.00 Grid ref: NH905444 OS sheet: 27
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 9am
A walk along good hill and forest tracks from Whitefold up to Carn na Caillich then on to Banchor and return.
Distance – : 6 miles/9.65 km: Ascent – 800 feet/244 meters:
Sunday 18th January: Avoch to Rosehaugh circular
Grade C. Time 9.30am. Grid Ref NH701551 OS sheet 26/27
Rendezvous point Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk 9am
Park at main Avoch car park on right. Cross the road past church and along the old railway line in Rosehaugh estate. Cross the main road and circuit hillside with great views over Munlochy Bay. We go onto Ormonde Hill, site of the old castle, for spectacular views of the Moray Firth. Then head back into Avoch. A mainly flat walk with a little undulation and short incline onto Hill.
Distance 7.5 miles/12Km. Ascent 246ft/ 75m
Saturday 24th January: Behind Evanton
Grade: B Time: 9.45 Grid ref: NH607662 OS sheet: 21
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09.00
Starting in the main Evanton car park opposite the Novar Arms, we walk up through the Evanton community woods, over the spectacular Black Rock gorge, towards Little Fyrish (not all the way). We then veer in the direction of the Novar windfarm ascending up the hill behind Evanton. Large parts of the walk have lovely views. Mostly on tracks and established paths.
Distance – 7.5 miles/ 12 km: Ascent – 1159 feet/ 353 meters:
Sunday 1st February: Above Dores
Grade C+, time 10:00, Grid ref: NH607364, OS Sheet: 26
Rendezvous point: 09:00 Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk
Parking is adjacent to Aldourie Primary School. Walk starts on path behind school and we join a minor public road to ascend to track. This runs along the high ground behind Dores before gradually descending along Loch Ness after crossing the B862 and becoming an access road to several farms.
Distance: 10 miles/ 16 km . Ascent: 656ft/ 200m
Saturday 7th February: Slochd and a Lunch Shelter
Grade: C+ Time: 9.45 Grid ref: NH847239 (Slochd Mor Hostel) OS sheet: 35:
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building, Ness Walk Time: 09:00
Directions: After travelling 18 miles from Inverness, park at Slochd Mor Lodge Hostel. PLEASE NOTE ON LEAVING THE A9 THERE IS A ‘ROAD CLOSED’ SIGN. PLEASE CONTINUE AS THE ROAD IS OPEN AS FAR AS THE HOSTEL.
Route commences with easy walking through woodland to Insharn. Now heading west below Carn Ailean we commence an undulating ascent to an open shelter for lunch. For those who wish we will continue a short distance with a 300′ of ascent to the end of the track. The whole route is on good track with spectacular views of the Cairngorms and beyond. We then retrace our footsteps back to the Slochd. Coffee, cake and craic at the Taste of Tomatin.
Distance – 7.7 miles/ 12 km: Ascent – 948 feet/ 289 meters:
Sunday 15th February: Round Fyrish to Cnoc Ceislein
Grade: A Time: 09:30 Grid ref:NH627714 OS sheet: 21
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building, Ness Walk Time: 08:45
Parking at Fyrish car park we skirt around Cnoc Fyrish rising steadily on a good track. We then take a small hill path (could be boggy) up to the summit of Cnoc Ceislein 523m. From the trig point we head along the wide ridge, with hopefully views to either side, to the far end, where we descend down steeply through the heather (no path). We head back to the car park on decent track on the other side of Cnoc Fyrish. Circular walk. Return route may differ on the day to shorten the walk
Distance – 10 miles/ 16 km:Ascent – 1700 feet: 520 metres:
Saturday 21st February: Along the shore – Shandwick & Balintore towards Rockfield
Grade: C Time: 10:15 Grid ref: NH859751 OS sheet: 21
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09.00
Park in the Shandwick beach car park.
We walk along the shoreline from Shandwick, past Balintore towards Rockfield. This is a beautiful coastal walk with impressive cliffs on one side and waves crashing among the jagged rocks on the other. Along the way there are impressively sculpted rocks along the shore and the remains of salmon fishing stations. We can also take a short detour to see the spectacular Hilton of Cadboll carved stone – a masterpiece of Pictish sculpture. We will pass the ‘Mermaid of the North’ – a bronze sculpture by Steve Haywood, perched on the ‘Clach Dubh’ (Black Rock).
This is a linear, there & back, walk on smooth grassy tracks and paths.
Distance – 9 miles/ 14.5 km: Ascent – minimal
Sunday 1st March: Glen Meinich
Grade: C Time: 10:15 Grid ref: NH282526 OS sheet: 25
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09:15
A Linear walk on estate track in lovely scenery. Good chance of seeing eagles & deer.
Distance – 8 miles/ 12.8 km: Ascent – 784 feet/ 239 meters:
Saturday 7th March: AGM walk – to be confirmed
Sunday 15th March: Beinn Bhreac near Ullapool
Grade: A Time: 09:45 Grid ref: NH182853 OS sheet: 20
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 8:30
Starting at Inverlael – the Beinn Dearg car park on A835. Good forest track most of the way and wider views opening up higher up of the surrounding mountains, then up pathless Beinn Bhreac (summit 667m) for about 150m. Superb views of all the surrounding hills. Back down the same way.
Distance –9 miles/ 14.7km: Ascent –1950 feet/660 meters:
Saturday 21st March: Invergarry to Bridge of Oich
Grade: C Time: 10:30 Grid ref: NH297012 OS sheet: 34
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09:00
Car Shuttle Walk. From Invergarry Visitor Centre ascend up to Loch Lundie for wonderful views to the South. Follow round the loch & then descend by the Invervigar burn. Walk along the Great Glen to Bridge of Oich.
Distance – 7.2 miles/ 11.67 km: Ascent – 492 feet/ 150 meters:
Sunday 29th March: Lochan Sgeireach
Grade: B Time: 10.00 Grid ref: NH164585 OS sheet: 25
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09.00
Please meet at Achnasheen Station ( toilets permanently closed! ) as parking extremely limited at start of walk. Car shuttle may be necessary. There’s a gate to climb and a ford to cross near the start, otherwise good track all the way, with a steep climb up to ever increasing terrific views from Moruisg, round to the Torridon giants. Return same way.
Distance – 7 miles/ 11.25 km: Ascent – 1000 feet / 300 meters:
Saturday 4th April: Ben Bhraggie and Big Burn Walk
Grade: B+ Time: 10:15 Grid ref: NC832000 OS sheet: 17
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 9:00
A walk around and up to the Duke of Sutherland statue in Golspie. Starting along the beach and then up via the Big Burn waterfall and finally along the back of Ben Bhraggie before returning down the shorter (but steeper section to the car park). The route is split between a track and generally well used path. There are steep steps in places and the path and wooden gantry sections are somewhat worn around the Big Burn waterfall. Surfaces can be slippy!
Distance – 6 miles/ 9.5 km: Ascent – 1200 feet/ 400 meters:
Sunday 12th April: Three lochs near Whitebridge
Grade: C Time: 10:00 Grid ref: NH489153 OS sheet: 34
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 09:00
Parking at the Wildside centre, we cross the scenic bridge and follow the road a short distance to enter the Whitebridge plantation. The estate tracks are good throughout. The track takes us half way round loch Kemp, then a brief ascent on short-ish heather brings us to a high point with views of Loch Ness. On returning to the Plantation via the outward track, we take a diversion to the charming Loch Paiteag.
Distance – 6.1 miles/ 10 km: Ascent – 380 feet/ 120 meters:
18th April: weekend away
Sunday 26th April: Sgorr Na Diollaid, Glen Cannich
Grade: A Time: 9.45 Grid ref: NH285334 OS sheet: 25
Rendezvous point: Old Royal Infirmary building Ness Walk Time: 8.30
Start over the bridge in Glen Cannich then uphill on mostly pathless terrain with heather rock and bog to a rocky top 496m; slight descent and up again to the rocky summit with good views of the Strathfarrar munros and the firths on the east side, possibly a detour to some tops; if not back down the same way
Distance – 4.5 miles/ 7 km: Ascent –2145 feet/ 654 meters:
Great Glen Walking Club 