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There’s nothing like exploring the Scottish Highlands on foot during a stay at Eagle Brae. Here, we have some of the most spectacular walking and cycle routes in the world. Not only do we have great walks right here on the estate, but our local Glen Affric has so much to offer. With beautiful scenery and magnificent landscapes, there’s a lot to see and explore on local Scottish Highland walks.
You don’t have to go far to find great walking routes while staying at Eagle Brae. Exploring our own 8,000 acre estate is an adventure in itself! Here are a couple of our most popular walks.
This is a steep walk, which takes about 25 minutes. Starting at the goats paddock and finishing at our weir, up above the tree line on moorland. On the way up, you’ll pass through an exclosure, in which we planted 15,000 native trees. The area is fenced off to keep the local deer out, in order to give the new trees a chance to establish, but eventually we will open it up. From the top, you’ll experience stunning views of Eagle Brae and the surrounding Highlands.
The meadow walk is the trail around our sled dog track, in the meadow in front of Eagle Brae. This is a 3-mile circuit, which takes around an hour to complete. It’s much flatter and gentler than the weir walk, and is lovely and peaceful, in amongst our Hebridean sheep flock, alongside the river Glass.
If you wish to go slightly further afield, here are some of our favourite Scottish Highland walks, all less than an hour’s drive from Eagle Brae:
Starting point: Tomich village (20-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The spectacular Plodda Falls are part of the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. There are two walking trails in this area, created by the Forestry Commission of Scotland – The Plodda Falls Trail and the Tweedmouth Trail. Both feature amazing views of the 46 metre high falls. They start at Tomich village. Simply follow the signs to the car park and the trails are waymarked from there.
Starting point: Dog Falls car park (20-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The Dog Falls and Coire Loch Trails are two of our favourite Glen Affric walking routes. The Dog Falls Trail through beautiful woodland takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking Dog Falls. So-called because the falls are in the shape of a dog’s leg. The Coire Loch Trail leads to a magnificent hidden loch. Waymarked by the Forestry Commission, both walks follow an uneven path with slopes and steps.
Starting point: Off Glen Strathfarrar Road (25-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
A munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height of over 3,000 ft, which appears on Sir Hugh T Munro’s list from 1891. The Glen Strathfarrar Munros Circuit is a long and challenging walk, which allows you to bag 4 of them! This walk can take up to ten hours to complete in good conditions.
Starting point: Drumnadrochit (30-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The Affric Kintail Way is a great local route. This cross-country trail stretches from Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness to Morvich in Kintail. The 44-mile long trail has much to offer with a variety of landscapes and stunning views. However, please note, some of the sections of the trails are quite difficult, with considerable assent at some locations. The majority of the route is forest track, which can be a little tricky to get through.
Starting point: Moniack Burn car park (30-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
If you are planning on making a short walk around Inverness, Reelig Glen is a good route to follow. This Inverness walking trail is 1.9 km long and takes only an hour to complete. The Reelig Glen Highland Walk offers a truly unique experience, since it features a beach, pine and fir woodland above the glen. Be sure to spot “Dughall Mor”, which is one of the tallest trees in Britain, with a height of 200 feet (64 metres).
Starting point: car park near Chisholme Bridge (35-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
Tom a’ Choinich and Toll Creagach are the easiest of our local munros to reach. However, this walk is still quite tough with a mix of terrain and can take up to 8 hours in good conditions. This is a great way to bag a couple of munros and take in our impressive Highland scenery.
Starting Point: River Affric car park (35-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The Loch Affric Circuit is a full loop around the breathtaking Loch Affric. This is a popular route with our guests and the views of the loch, mountains and forest are outstanding! The walk is fairly easy to do, but around 11 miles long without exit points.
Suggested starting point: Inverness (45-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The Trail of the Seven Lochs is a 50-mile circular walking route in the Scottish Highlands. Although the route doesn’t have a designated starting point, you can start in Inverness. The Trail of the Seven Lochs offers some of the most stunning views you will come across around Loch Ness. Although the entire trail is waymarked, it is advised that you keep a compass with you, as the route can become difficult to navigate in bad weather.
Starting point: Inverness (45-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
You can explore the Caledonian Canal on foot, bike or by boat. The Caledonian Canal is recognised as one of the great waterways of the world and offers its visitors some of the most spectacular scenes. The canal cuts through Scotland’s Great Glen and connects Inverness to Fort William. The Caledonian Canal also makes for a good cycling route, allowing you to experience the waterway easily.
Starting point: Torbreck (45-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
Located on the south side of Loch Ness, this trail offers a fantastic walking and biking experience. You will find a mixture of minor roads, forest tracks and purpose-built trails. The South Loch Ness Trail is 58 km long and starts in Torbreck near Inverness. The trail offers splendid views, several points of interest and has designated spots along the route where you can stop and relax. You can cover the whole route or select any one of the three sections to get the most out of the South Loch Ness Trail.
Starting point: Inverness (45-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
Our list of walks wouldn’t be complete without the Great Glen Way. The Great Glen Way makes for a slightly challenging walking route in Inverness. The route offers some of the most dramatic scenery Scotland has to offer. The trail follows all the way from Inverness in the north east to Fort William in the south west. Several historical and natural heritage sites are located along the route, which makes the Great Glen Way trail worth visiting.
Starting point: Inverness (45-minute drive from Eagle Brae)
The Loch Ness 360° Trail joins the South Loch Ness Trail and the Great Glen Way into a 360 degree loop around Loch Ness. This stunning 72-mile Inverness walking route can be completed in approximately 6 days.
Inverness walking trails are among some of the most scenic in the world and are well worth adding to your bucket list. And, if you are staying with us, they are right on your doorstep.
To find out more about walking holidays at Eagle Brae, contact us or call us on 01463 761 301.
