Sights in The Great Glen
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Urquhart Castle
Commanding a brilliant location 1.5 miles east of Drumnadrochit, with outstanding views (on a clear day), Urquhart Castle is a popular Nessie-watching hotspot. A huge visitor centre (most of which is beneath ground level) includes a video theatre (with a dramatic ‘unveiling’ of the castle at the end of the film) and displays of medieval items discovered in the castle.
The castle was repeatedly sacked and rebuilt (and sacked and rebuilt) over the centuries; in 1692 it was blown up to prevent the Jacobites from using it. The five-storey tower house at the northern point is the most impressive remaining fragment and offers wonderful views across the water. The site inclu…
reviewed
-
B
Ness Islands
The main attraction in Inverness is a leisurely stroll along the river to the Ness Islands. Planted with mature Scots pine, fir, beech and sycamore, and linked to the river banks and each other by elegant Victorian footbridges, the islands make an appealing picnic spot. They're a 20-minute walk south of the castle - head upstream on either side of the river (the start of the Great Glen Way), and return on the opposite bank.
On the way you'll pass the red-sandstone towers of St Andrew's Cathedral, dating from 1869, and the modern Eden Court Theatre, which hosts regular art exhibits, both on the west bank.
reviewed
-
Caledonian Canal
At Fort Augustus, boats using the Caledonian Canal are raised and lowered 13m by a ‘ladder’ of five consecutive locks. It’s fun to watch, and the neatly landscaped canal banks are a great place to soak up the sun or compare accents with fellow tourists. The Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, beside the lowest lock, showcases the history of the canal.
reviewed
-
C
Inverness Castle
The hill above the city centre is topped by the picturesque Baronial turrets of Inverness Castle, a pink-sandstone confection dating from 1847 that replaced a medieval castle blown up by the Jacobites in 1746; it serves today as the Sheriff's Court. It’s not open to the public, but there are good views from the surrounding gardens.
reviewed
-
Clansman Centre
An exhibition on 17th-century Highland life, with live demonstrations of how to put on a plaid (the forerunner of the kilt) and how the claymore (Highland sword) was made and used. There is also a workshop where you can purchase handcrafted reproduction swords, dirks and shields.
reviewed
-
Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
This Nessie-themed attraction, with a scientific approach that allows you to weigh the evidence for yourself, features original footage of monster sightings plus exhibits of equipment used in the various underwater monster hunts.
reviewed
-
D
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Between the castle and the tourist office is Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, with wildlife dioramas, geological displays, period rooms with historic weapons, Pictish stones and contemporary Highland arts and crafts.
reviewed
-
E
Victorian Market
If the rain comes down, you could opt for a spot of retail therapy in the Victorian Market , a shopping mall that dates from the 1890s and has rather more charm than its modern equivalents.
reviewed
-
Glencoe Folk Museum
The small, thatched museum houses a varied collection of military memorabilia, farm equipment, and tools of the woodworking, blacksmithing and slate-quarrying trades.
reviewed
-
Nessieland Castle Monster Centre
This more homely attraction is a miniature theme park aimed squarely at the kids, but its main function is to sell you Loch Ness monster souvenirs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre
The Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, beside the lowest lock, showcases the history of the canal.
reviewed
-
F
St Andrew’s Cathedral
The red-sandstone towers of St Andrew’s Cathedral date from 1869.
reviewed
