The Scottish Highlands are located in the north-western part of Scotland. They are famous for rugged landscapes, dramatic mountains, and incredible scenery. This is the land of the Highlander. It is also home to famous Harry Potter filming locations. But the region is best known for Loch Ness.
Read here about my first Scotland experience: Where to go in Scotland – from Loch Lomond, Stirling and Edinburgh
And, of course, we have all heard of Nessie. Is the Loch Ness Monster mysterious or mythical? Maybe I was about to find out. I was ready for some exercise. Hiking Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands sounded like the perfect adventure. Many hikers head further south to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. Others explore the trails around Glen Affric. I decided to stay close to Loch Ness and hike for the views.
And maybe, just maybe, spot the monster?
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Hiking the Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh at Loch Ness
You may never have heard of Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh mountain. And don’t ask me how to pronounce it! But it is THE place to hike if you want incredible views over Loch Ness. From the top, you can see the lake’s long and distinctive shape. (Read more here.) I couldn’t wait to explore the Scottish Highlands from above. To reach the trail, head towards Drumnadrochit. If you are coming from Inverness, take a sharp right towards Bunloit and the Pottery Shop. The turn is just before the campsite.
From here, the road becomes narrow and winding. Just keep going until you reach the parking area. It is around 5 km away and literally next to the Pottery Shop. Easily done!
The 9 km hike was steep in places but otherwise fairly easy. I saw both young and old hikers on the same trail. Whether you climb all the way to the 660-metre summit or stop just before it, the views are breathtaking. That said, I had to wait all morning for the dark clouds to disappear. Once they finally did, the sky turned the brightest blue.
Hiking Loch Ness with views like these was definitely worth the wait.
A Muddy Hike in the Scottish Highlands
The path became quite muddy once I reached the plateau. So, be careful, especially after some rain.
I actually watched a guy sink one leg deep into a muddy hole. He was wearing white shoes and white trousers. Poor guy! My advice? Avoid wearing white. It hadn’t rained for a while when I did the hike, so the trail wasn’t too bad. However, I can imagine it getting very, very muddy after a rainy day.
Proper hiking boots are a must. And expect them to get dirty. Whether you are hiking Loch Ness or climbing Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh, good footwear will make a big difference. Mud is simply part of hiking in the Scottish Highlands!
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Loch Ness
THE Loch Ness, in the Scottish Highlands, is a large and deep freshwater loch. It stretches for around 37 km southwest of Inverness.
I actually drove around Loch Ness twice, and the landscape looked different from every angle. The more touristy route along the western side was beautiful. It wasn’t always a fast drive due to the narrow roads, but the scenery was stunning.
But where was the monster?
According to the locals, everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who has seen Nessie. Is it true? Maybe the locals simply keep telling the stories to keep the legend alive. Who knows? Nessie might still be hiding somewhere in the depths of Loch Ness.
St Andrews
Satisfied with my outdoor adventure hiking Loch Ness and reaching the peak of Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh, it was time to leave the Scottish Highlands. What an amazing experience! I headed south towards Edinburgh. On the way, I made a quick stop in the small town of St Andrews.
Did you know it is home to the oldest golf course in the world? The historic town itself is also beautiful. Its old buildings and charming streets made it a great place to wander around. In fact, St Andrews was probably my favourite small town in Scotland.
Not a bad unexpected stop on my way south!
In the end, I decided that Scotland is an amazing place for hiking and exploring national parks. For me, the best part was the Scottish Highlands and, of course, Loch Ness.
If you are planning a trip, try to time your visit with good weather. Nothing beats the Scottish Highlands on a sunny day. You will feel like you are on top of the world. Even if you don’t see the Loch Ness Monster.
(post 107)
