Things to See & Do
The Highlands has some amazing activities and great restaurants to offer, you will find all the local places here and some further a field that are worth venturing out to...
All Activities
With a chic interior, the atmosphere offers a calm, welcoming and warm environment to relax after a day’s adventure – whether you have been working, site seeing or travelling. They serve excellent food with great service too.
15 Min drive from the cabin
The Lovat
Fort Augustus, PH32 4DU
Restaurants
01456 490000
Here you can enjoy a free guided tour of their workshop where you will see all the traditional implements used by the Tanner as well as the lengthy hand finishing processes, which help to create the world famous Highland hand-combed fleece, which is exclusive to Skyeskyns.
(Open every day)
1.5 hr drive from the cabin
Skye Skyns
Isle of Skye, IV55 8GD
Other
01470 592237
Explore the countryside on a segway or have a go at archery
Experience Segway and Archery
Glencoe
Activity
01855 413000
Eilean Donan is recognised as one of the most iconic images of Scotland all over the world. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. The cafe is excellent too, worthy of a stop off for lunch or just a cup of tea and cake.
1 hour drive from the cabin (Just before Skye)
Eilean Donan Castle
Dornie by Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DX
Other
01599 555202
This is a 9 hole course, set against the mountains, with a few sheep to keep you company. Reviews say its generally quite out there.
15 min drive from the cabin
Fort Augustus Golf
Market Hill, Fort Augustus PH32 4DS
Activity
01320 366660
This is where my Shepherds was made by Ben and his father.
They have a great eclectic mix of all things old and unusual.
They also have a great tea room serving soup, tea and cakes!
It also houses an original 1957 Rock-Ola jukebox nestles happily amongst a couple of their vintage bikes and various other collectables acquired thanks to the antiques business.
1 hour drive from the cabin.
Daviot Antiques and Salvage Yard
Torguish House Daviot Inverness Highlands Scotland IV2 5XQ
Other
+44 (0) 1463 772208
Never-ending back roads, wide meandering country tracks and beautiful bends through some of Scotland's finest coastal scenery are just a few things you can expect along the North Coast 500. Strap yourself in for the road trip of a lifetime.
North Coast 500
The Highlands
Activity
0123 456789
Scottish/Mediterranean food in relaxed loch-side restaurant and garden set in abbey grounds. If you get one of the window seats you will have a view straight up Loch Ness !
15 Min drive from the cabin
The Boathouse
Fort Augustus, PH32 4BD
Restaurants
01320 366682
Take the gondola up to the top at Nevis Range and visit the Snow Goose restaurant and bar or enjoy the slopes.
Open every day, weather permitting (closed in November)
Dog friendly.
30 min drive from the cabin.
Nevis Range
Nevis Range, PH33 6SQ
Activity
01397 705825
A great family fun day out, with lots of woodland attractions and activites.
Dog Friendly
1.5 hr drive from the cabin
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Carrbridge, PH23 3AJ
Activity
01479 841613
The best months are July, August and September, but there is good fishing anytime between May and October.
Permits :
Man made canal sections
Scottish Canals, as the riparian landowner, allows fishing for brown trout and other freshwater fish along the man made sections of the Caledonian Canal – no permit is needed. Please just remember to pay attention to other waterways users, and do check for any overhead power cables.
Occasionally salmon and sea trout may be found in the canal – new regulations on migratory fish are coming into place, and all salmon and sea trout are to be returned back into the water (even if they die on the bank). There are very serious consequences for anyone found taking migratory fish.
Lochs and rivers
Permits are required for fishing in the lochs and local rivers. You can find out more or obtain a permit by contacting the following:
River Ness and Loch Ness – 01463 233178 (Grahams of Inverness)
Loch Dochfour – 01463 861 218 (Dochfour Estate)
Loch Oich – 01809 640000 (Aberchalder Estate)
Loch Lochy – 01397 702832 (Eric Wallace Fishing Tackle)
There is free bank fishing for brown trout on Loch Ness, with light tackle only, and away from the mouth of rivers. You must also have the landowner’s permission. Please be aware that Ness District Salmon Fishery Board ‘water bailiffs’ enforce fisheries legislation across the Ness District; they will request to see your permit should you be fishing from a boat (see more at www.ness.dsfb.org.uk).
Know before you go!
Fish and fishing rights are protected in Scotland – please keep these points in mind when fishing in Scotland.
The maximum number of rods which can be used from a boat at any one time is four (even if there are more than four people on the boat)
The annual close time for salmon is 16th October to 14th January
The annual close time for trout is 7th October to 14th March
Fishing for or taking eels was banned in 2008, for conservation purposes
Check which methods of fishing, baits and numbers of rods are permitted before heading off on your fishing trip
Fishing Generally
Loch Garry and other local lochs
Activity
01463 233178
Take a lovely stroll with a gentle climb to the waterfalls
1.5 hour walk, free car park with a trail map.
5 min drive from the cabin
Glen Garry Waterfalls
From the cabin, turn right, turn right again at the top of the road onto the A87 towards Invergarry. Drive for about 5-10 mins and you will see a green forestry sign on the left "Glengarry" Slow down to run sharp right down a track to the car park.
Activity
none listed
Sun Dancer Restaurant is positioned overlooking the Moray Firth, the long sandy beach and sand dunes. Great food served every day.
Check winter times though before travelling.
1.5 hr drive from the cabin
Sun Dancer
Harbour St, Nairn IV12 4PH
Restaurants
01667 370037
Go and see the steam train cross the viaduct at Glenfinnan followed by a visit to the Glenfinnan Station Museum for cup of tea and cake or light lunch!
30 min drive from the cabin
The Jacobite (Famous Harry Potter Steam Train)
Glenfinnan
Activity
0844 850 4680
Inverlochy Castle Hotel is a beautiful 19th century castle surrounded by evergreen trees and the nearby loch. Perfect for afternoon tea or a special occasion dinner.
40 min drive from the cabin
Inverlochy Castle
Fort William, PH33 6SN
Restaurants
01397 702177
Explore the exhibition, revealing the legends, history and natural wonders of the world's most famous lake.
Open all year.
40 min drive from the cabin.
Loch Ness Exhibition
Drumnacrochit. IV63 6TU
Activity
01456 450 573
Fine Highland cuisine served along with some American and Indian dishes too.
(opening soon)
10 Min drive from the cabin
Rokeby Manor
Invergarry, just before entering the village
Restaurants
not listed yet
A great traditional pub with hearty portions. A vast range of malt whiskies and a tempting menu of bar meals, which includes Orkney salmon, Highland venison and daily seafood specials…
15 min drive from the cabin
The Lock Inn
Fort Augustus, PH32 4AU
Restaurants
01320 336302
Mark lives just up the glen, as a keen fisherman he still spent 4 years learning how to catch the trout in this loch, they are like no other!
His knowledge is invaluable if you really want to catch something!
Brown trout season: 15th March - 6th October
Pike: no closed season
Salmon: 1 Feb - 15th October
Arctic Char no closed season
10 Min drive from the cabin
Loch Garry Fishing
Turn left out of the drive and continue along the single track road for approx 5 miles until you see the wooden fish carving and turn left down the track for approx. 100m and please park by the large wooden deer gate and ring my door bell. There is a sign "Fishing Parking" with some bright orange buoys.
Activity
07770 541496
Go monster hunting on a cruise boat or take the rib for an exhilarating ride up and down Loch Ness, booking advised for mid day trips.
15 min drive from the cabin
Cruise Loch Ness
Fort Augustus, PH32 4BD
Activity
01320 366277