Loch Oich circuit, Invergarry

Summary

This moderate walk makes a circuit around attractive Loch Oich utilising the Great Glen Way along the eastern shores and the Invegarry Link higher above the loch on the western side.

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Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Easy paths or tracks throughout, with some ascents and descents on the west side of the loch.

Getting there

Start

Invergarry post office.

Public Transport

Buses reach Invergarry from all directions.

Start Grid Ref

NH301010

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.2km / 10.75 miles
Time: 4.5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 430m (Profile)

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Explorer 400 - Loch Lochy

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

WARNING

Invergarry footbridge (Stage 1) closed for repairs, detour via the A82 bridge. Signed diversion until late 2026 to avoid forestry between Laggan and Invergarry - doesn't add distance but does go steeply up and down through trees on boggy, difficult ground.

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Stage 1

There is parking by the tiny post office on the A87 road (to Skye) in Invergarry. The walk begins just beyond the post office and picnic table, where a signposted path (marked 'Tomdoun') on the left indicates the way down to an iron suspension bridge. This gives good views of the river. Cross the bridge and turn right on the far side, along the river bank. After passsing through a wrought-iron kissing gate, turn left and follow the field boundary. At the top of the field the path curves right and goes through a gate onto a minor road. Turn left, cross the cattle grid, and then turn immediately right onto a rising forest track. You have now joined the Great Glen Way Invergarry Link route.

Stage 2

The track winds uphill, soon passing a transmitter mast. Further on, keep on the main route as it bends right. Recent felling now fine views over Loch Oich with Loch Ness beyond. This is the highest point of this section; further on the track soon forks; keep on the left fork which slopes gently downhill. Eventually it emerges onto the main A82 road near the turning for Kilfinnan. Turn right along the A82 on the pavement. Don't turn off towards Kilfinnan, instead keep ahead and then cross the road and follow the pavement to cross the Caledonian Canal via the Laggan swing bridge. Over the bridge, take the turning on the left signed for the Great Glen Water Park. After passing a short, reedy, section of Loch Oich don't turn into the Water Park itself, but keep right on the tarmac road. For the next few miles you can follow the 'blue thistle' Great Glen Way markers.

Stage 3

Branch right off the road (GGW marker) at the exit from the Water Park and follow the track through a gate. You are now on a path/cycle track, with lovely wild flowers in summer. The track follows the line of the old railway from Spean Bridge to Fort Augustus that was built between 1896 and 1903. It was intended to eventually make a cross-country link to Inverness but this never materialised; the line closed to passengers in 1933 and was last used during World War Two before being dismantled. The old Invergarry Station is being restored and has a short section of track.

Stage 4

Continue along the cycle path. Originally the Great Glen Way took a path closer to the loch shore down to the left; further on it is possible to divert onto sections of this path if you wish but it is boggy in places. The route continues for several kilometres, passing through the fine native woodland of the Letterfeirn Nature Reserve.

Stage 5

Eventually the route passes the abandoned cottage at Letterfeirn itself; here there is an informal Great Glen Way camping area looking across to the ruins of Invergarry Castle and the impressive Glengarry Castle Hotel. Continue on the path or the cycle route; eventually both rejoin to head through a short, old railway tunnel. Towards the end of the loch the route goes over the bridge across the Calder burn. Turn left on the far side to follow a path around the end of the loch.

Stage 6

Go through a gate to follow the Caledonian Canal to reach the A82 at Aberchalder Swing Bridge. Turn left, crossing the bridge. It is worth detouring from the far side to have a look at Oich Bridge, which is maintained by Historic Scotland. This beautiful double-cantilevered bridge was built by James Drudge in 1854 and is now happily free of traffic. It isn't possible to continue across this bridge, so if you have detoured, you must return to the A82 and cross the River Oich on the modern road bridge instead. Continue on the pavement as the road rounds the corner and passes a car park. Take the path to the right on the far side of the entrance track to the car park. You are now back on the Great Glen Way Invergarry Link route. The narrow but well made path undulates pleasantly through the trees.

Stage 7

The winding path eventually crosses a footbridge and reaches a track. Turn right uphill and when the track swings right, continue ahead on another track. Look out for a marker post indicating where to turn off onto a clear path on the left. Follow this path as it winds to and fro downhill, to reach Invergarry. Turn right along the road to return to the post office and the start.

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