The first section of the Great Glen Way starts in Fort William and passes through suburbs overshadowed by the great bulk of mighty Ben Nevis. It joins the Caledonian Canal where it issues into Loch Linnhe and then follows the canal for a fine, flat walk with great views of the surrounding mountains.
Summary
Initially follows paths and roads through the suburbs of Fort William before joining canal towpath (track) to Gairlochy; level.
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1. The official start of the Great Glen Way is at the very uninspiring location of the roundabout at the eastern end of the A82 dual carriageway which bypasses Fort William High Street. From here, head to the adjacent roundabout near the entrance to Morrison's supermarket. The Great Glen Way then follows a path which starts immediately to the left of Macdonalds and is marked by blue thistle marker posts. It passes to the left of the shinty pitch - Fort William has one of the strongest teams in the sport - and then bends right at the far end to reach some modern housing. Turn left between two houses to reach and cross a bridge over the River Nevis near its outflow, heading left again on the far side. The Way then heads straight across at a small waterworks to reach the wooded pastures of the River Lochy's floodplain (at times of flood it is necessary to head instead through the centre of Inverlochy). Keep beside the river until the path heads right to join a minor road beside the railway.
2. When the minor road bends right to pass under the railway, keep straight ahead up the ramp onto the wooden Soldier's Bridge. This crosses the Lochy beside the railway bridge and offers views of the ruined Inverlochy Castle, with the great bulk of Ben Nevis rising beyond. On the far side turn left along the road (there is a pavement). Continue for almost a kilometre, following the road round a bend to the right, before turning left onto Glenmallie Road. This is Caol, a large housing estate; the road leads to the bend at the head of Loch Linnhe where there is a grand view down the loch. Turn right along the shore that gives the houses at the front of Caol such an excellent outlook. At the far end of the estate the Way continues beside Loch Linnhe, now on a tarmac path between the shore and the playing fields. Looking back, Ben Nevis looks magnificent as it rises high above the houses. Eventually the way crosses a bridge and then doubles back right to slope up to the banks of the Caledonian Canal.
3. Turn right along the canal towpath; soon Neptune's Staircase - a flight of locks, is seen ahead, but the route to it is blocked by two swing bridges carrying the main road and the railway. Follow the path down to join the road which curves away from the canal and crosses the railway at a level crossing. Beyond this, turn left onto the main road, and when the canal is reached again turn right to rejoin the towpath. This is the bottom end of the flight of eight locks known as Neptune's Staircase, and is very popular with visitors. The locks were built in the early 1800s as part of the Caledonian Canal, which opened in 1847 and was planned by Thomas Telford. They descend a height of 19.5 metres in a horizontal distance of 457 metres and take ninety minutes for a boat to pass through.
4. Follow the canal towpath up the staircase of locks and then continue on the right hand (south) side of the canal following the wide track and passing the moorings. The canal was originally built to allow commercial cargo and fishing boats to dramatically cut their journey times from the west to east coasts of Scotland. It also kept boats out of reach of enemy attack at sea. The canal project was also supposed to help stem the flood of emigration from the Highlands which had started in the 1700's by providing construction work and ongoing jobs. In this aim, it was only partially successful, although today the canal is a popular tourist and leisure route and brings money into the area as well as the jobs needed to maintain and man the giant locks and other structures along the route. Go through the gate and follow the track into open countryside, leaving the houses of Banavie behind.
5. There are views down to the River Lochy on the right. Eventually the towpath crosses the Sheangain Burn on a three-arch aqueduct. Keep following the towpath track and pass a small house on the right before a long stretch until the Loy sluices are reached. Soon after the canal curves and there are some picturesque pines on the far bank and then the scattered buildings at Strone. This was a hive of activity during the 21 years it took to build the canal as much of the wood needed for props and gates came from the sawmill and carpenter's workshops that were set up here. When you reach a farm track descending on the right it is possible to go down to view the Glen Loy aqueduct, the largest on the canal, and an impressive three arched structure, although the pedestrian access on this side is usually wet underfoot and can be slippery. After the detour return to the towpath and continue heading east.
6. Continue along the towpath to reach Moy Swing Bridge. This cast iron bridge is unique on the canal and was constructed in pieces in North Wales before being assembled on site in 1821. In order to open it, the keeper has to open the south leaf first and then row across the canal to open the remaining section - a time-consuming job that is still carried out today.
7. On the final section of the canal there are good views down over the River Lochy on the right. The small village of Gairloch is then reached; this has its own swing road bridge and several lochs and marks the start of Loch Lochy. There is no shop but there is some bed and breakfast accommodation, and a campsite at Torness a kilometre along the road to the right.
Next stage: Gairlochy to Laggan Locks
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