Add Fort Augustus to Your Loch Ness Trip

Fort Augustus is really a village which is associated with a fort that was constructed following the fall of the Jacobite uprising in 1715. Scotland has been the scene of some great British historical moments including the banishment of Mary Stuart and the failure of the Bonnie Prince to restore his kingdom. The original fort was destroyed but there are certain remnants which were incorporated into the Benedictine Abbey. This was way back in 1876. The Caledonian Canal is within the vicinity and it has been said to divide the village into two distinct parts. In the northern branch the canal will join the central Loch Ness area. Watch out for the intriguing locks which are used to manage the water traffic. They lie in vertical positions and represent some of the most important elements within the tourist attractions. Waterways and canals are part of the general British heritage and this is a good place to see some of them.

A practical guide to Fort Augustus

Thomas Telford was the original designer of the lock system. He was a famous civil engineer that contributed to the architectural heritage of Great Britain.  The system was opened in 1822 and it forms an important part of the Caledonian Canal. This canal runs for nearly sixty miles and has been a great link between Fort William and Inverness. In its original form, the lock was meant to create some short cuts for merchant skippers so that they could travel between the East and West coasts of the Scottish Highlands. They could also avoid the scourge of French pirates along the way. The canal remains functional in the modern context and you can watch some impressive water vessels near Fort William. Likewise the architectural value of the canals is not lost in visitors.

As recently as 2002, a decision was made to open up the Great Glen Way. This is a seventy three miles route which links Inverness to Fort William. Happily Fort Augustus is along the way and you might want to take the opportunity for a break. Both cyclists and walkers use this as a stop in order to refuel and find new routes to their destination. You can see some of the wonderful views that are on display and the locality is just perfect for all those things that you wanted to achieve in terms of exploring the true landscape of Scotland. The village is a hub of interesting visitor attractions. For example you might choose to visit the Caledonian Canal Heritage Center. The Clansman Center also offers unique insight into the locality and the people who lived there. It is a perfect illustration of the Celtic tradition. The settlements go as far back as five hundred years ago.

Animal lovers will enjoy the Rare Breeds Croft which is full of unusual farm birds and animals. The village of Invermoriston is not too far way and you can use this as an access to Glenmoriston. It is this area that was the center of the Jacobite revolution. Invermoriston benefits from some picturesque harled cottages.