Day 4: Fort Augustus to Invermoriston

Monday, July 11th, 2016 — 15km / 9.5miles

This was by far the most rewarding day when it came to views. Lessons learned about arriving too early, we again set out at the very civilized time of 10am. Turning left out of the driveway of Thistle Dubh (pron: ‘do’ – clever name really) we started the steady climb out of Fort Augustus. We were now also officially on the Great Glen Way. For Alison this was the most demanding day of the hike, and she did very well indeed. The evening before we’d decided to take the ‘high trail’ (as opposed to the ‘low trail’, naturally) as that promised the most rewarding views. Past some vigorous little waterfalls, crossing a few wooden bridges the winding path steadily climbed. The trail climbed above the forest where it became an undulating, easy trail meandering through a rugged moorland of grass, heather and bog myrtle on the northern slopes of Loch Ness. We indeed were rewarded with the promised expansive and gorgeous views. Shortly after reaching the high trail we came to a stone-built windbreak, with a bench, the perfect lunch spot. Shortly after 2pm the trail started its long, steady descent back through the forest, into Invermoriston. We arrived at Bracarina House B&B just after 4pm. The electric foot-spas in the room where a very nice touch specially after a long day’s walking. Dinner was in the bar of the Glenmoriston Arms next door.

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Our obligatory morning photo – with lipstick naturally.
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Alison resolutely going for the ‘high road’.
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Steadily going up through the forest.
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Short rest after the climb out of the forest. View looking back towards Fort Augustus.
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The Great Glen Way through the moorlands.
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Lunch with a view and out of the wind.
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The Trail.
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The Trail.
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The descent through the forest.
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Down to Invermoriston.