Walking:
Walking
WinterFest Feb 2009 The aim of the WinterFest is to get people out into the Scottish hills, enjoying the exhilarating experience of a winter hill-walking day. Being landlocked and surrounded by high mountains on 3 sides, the unique location of Glen Affric offers superb winter walking for several months of the year.
There are walks of all grades from Wildside, from bridle paths, way marked woodland pathways to hill walking on some of the remotest mountains in Scotland the Monadhliaths, backdrop to ‘Monarch of the Glen’. There are many rivers lochs and waterfalls to discover. For less strenuous ascents into the mountains take the gondola to 650 metres on Aonach Mor beside Ben Nevis this side of Fort William, or the funicular railway in the Cairngorms National Park. There are some good ideas for Loch Ness walks here on the interactive map
Cycling:
Cycling
Many guests bring their bikes; with no main road and little traffic on this side of Loch Ness, cycling particularly mountain biking is very popular over a network of unclassified roads and forest tracks.
Wildlife, Fishing & Golf & Lochness:
Wildlife
Surrounded by rivers, lochs, woods and hills, the lists of wildlife seen are impressive. Otters pass along the river and pine martens and roe deer visit the grounds at Wildside. The red deer stag, is abundant on the higher ground where golden eagles hunt. There is an R.S.P.B. reserve at Loch Ruthven (17miles) where in the summer months you may see the rare slavonian grebe nesting or ospreys fishing. Or, take a cruise on the Moray Firth to see the dolphins.
Fishing
Fishing in the river for brown trout is available free of charge to guests. Boats can be hired on many of the local lochs; or fish from the bank. A Gillie can be arranged if required.
Golf
Fort Augustus has a scenic 9 hole course and a friendly club where they welcome visitors. There are other challenging courses, 3 at Inverness, 2 at Nairn and 1 at Cawder Castle.
Cruises on Loch Ness
Cruises on Loch Ness available from Inverness through the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle