5 Urquhart Bay Woods or ‘the Paths Around Cover’ This is the best way to walk to the shores of ! Turn right along the main road from the village Drumnadrochit car park then take the first road left. Follow this road down to Old Kilmore cemetery. The track to the woods is at the steps over the wall. Craigmonie & Balmacaan 1 These interesting woods lie between two rivers, the woods th Enrick and the Coiltie. When the rivers are in spate, This hill takes its name from an 11 century the woodland is flooded. The floods carry down silt Scandinavian prince ‘Monie’. The Norsemen were from the higher ground and this enriches the soil in defeated in a battle with local people, Monie and his the wood. However, this sister took refuge on the rock before fleeing up Glen means that the plants Urquhart. They were overtaken at Corriemony where and animals that survive Monie was slain. Evidence suggests that Craigmonie there have to be able to has also been used as a hill fort. cope with flooding several times a year. Look From the car park at the Tourist Information Centre, out for the wild flowers turn right along the main road then take the first and dragonfly amongst right along Pitkerrald Road. Follow the waymarkers the alder trees and for a choice of routes or extend your walk by adding Dippers on the river route 2, Cnoc a’ Bhuachaille. The climb to the top of banks. the hill is rewarded by the exceptional view. Southern Hawker dragonfly th This wood is cared for by Specimen trees were planted by the 7 Earl of the Woodland Trust. Seafield. See if you can find the Sequoia planted in 1857, the giant Sitka Spruce and the record holding 3 Allow 1 hour 30 minutes – 5km / 3 miles return Grand Fir. The wood is owned and managed by the Divach Falls 4 Lewiston Parking – village car park Woodland Trust and the Forestry Commission in Follow the start of route 1 This historic village was planned by Sir James Seafield Moderate – waterproof footwear partnership with Craigmonie Woodland Association. and continue along the path to improve housing for people on his estate. This was Note – the path can be muddy and wet at the foot of the hill toward seen as very forward thinking at the time! He built Allow 2 hours 30 minutes – 6.5km / 4 miles the site of Balmacaan House. the houses 6 Parking – village car park (Tourist Information Centre) At the end of this path turn along the Moderate – waterproof footwear Turn right along the A82 from the village car park. right onto the road. River river bank so The path follows the road up the hill to Urquhart Coiltie is on your left. Follow the houses 2 Castle. The Castle is managed by Historic Cnoc a’ Bhuachaille the road across the bridge and would have Cnoc a’ Bhuachaille (shepherd’s hill) provides further and there is a charge for entry to the site. The walk up the hill. There is a small good access walking opportunities to and Glen Coiltie on up to the castle offers excellent views over Loch Ness car park where the path for to water. Forestry Commission tracks. Follow the start of route the Falls leaves the road. and towards Creag Nay. 1 and head Return via Lewiston (see walk 4). Divach Falls From the out towards Allow 2 hours 30 minutes – 7 km / 4.4 miles return village car View from Craigmonie the Milton Parking – village car park This spectacular waterfall drops over 30 metres (100 park, turn Easy – sensible footwear viewpoint. feet). The falls have inspired artists and authors such right along the main road and follow the Right of The track as the artist John Phillips whose painting of the falls Way sign just past Balmacaan Road. This path will leads out of now hangs in Buckingham Palace. take you into Lewiston village. Turn right to pick up Craigmonie the path at the foot of the hill of Craigmonie (walk 1) from just From Cnoc a’ Bhuachaille The Falls were also responsible for the first tourism in or turn left to rejoin the main road through above the the area. Tourists would arrive by boat at Temple Pier Drumnadrochit. viewpoint. Climb up the hill to join the forestry track and then be transported to the Falls.The wood is to access fantastic views over the Glen. Return managed by the Forestry Commission. Allow 1 hour – 3.4 km / 2.1 miles return through Craigmonie woods. Parking – village car park Allow 3 hours – 8 km / 5 miles return Easy – sensible footwear Allow 2 hours – 6km / 3.8 miles Parking – village car park (if parking at Divach Falls car park, Parking – village car park allow 20 mins – 500 metres / 0.3miles) Urquhart Castle Moderate – waterproof footwear Easy – sensible footwear