A walk around Inverness on the banks of the River Ness, the Caledonian Canal and the coast. It makes an interesting walk whilst staying in the city, or as an easier option on a rainy day.
Canal towpaths, roads and riverside paths.
Buses and trains to Inverness.
Inverness city centre.
The walk begins from the centre of Inverness, where the High Street becomes Bridge Street as it runs down to the river. (An alternative if parking is required is to start from the Sports Centre mentioned later on the walk). Turn left along the river bank here (Castle Street), passing beneath the Castle. Inverness' most famous landmark, the present building dates back only to 1835 and is a court house, but the site has been a castle for around a thousand years. Castle street soon forks off to the left; keep straight on alongside the fast-flowing river (on Ness Bank). There is an attractive pedestrian suspension bridge over the river here.
Keep to the path alongside the river, passing some of the most desirable old houses in Inverness. You'll soon reach a war memorial on a well kept green; again, keep to the river bank. Cross the bridge onto an island when you reach it. This is the first of the Ness Islands, which are a beautiful natural park with much wildlife. The path crosses several bridges linking each island to the next, before a final suspension bridge completes the journey to the far side of the river. Turn left along the river bank (following signs for the Great Glen Way).
At the next Great Glen Way sign (there is another bridge off to the left), turn right as indicated up the lane with a drystone wall on the right side. You'll pass the grounds of the Floral hall and then the car park for Inverness Sports Centre. Keep straight ahead until you reach the main road. Turn left here and cross the bridge over the Caledonian Canal. At the far side, carefully cross over the road and head up the tarmac towpath beside the canal. There is a very attractive cemetery built around the steep hill of Tomnahurich on the opposite side. Continue along the tow-path when the Great Glen Way heads off to the left.
Eventually you will reach the start of a boat yard and marina; the path has to leave the side of the canal here and run on the road through the yard (signed for Muirtown locks); pick up the tow path once more on the far side. Muirtown locks are an attractive flight, a lesser version of the well-known staircases of locks at Banavie and Fort Augustus. Cross the road at the end of the flight of locks, going through the iron gate on the far side to keep right on the canal bank. You are now heading round a wide section of canal known as Muirtown Basin. At the far end of the basin, cross the railway at the crossing, and follow the banks of the canal to the final lock at Clachnaharry, where the canal meets the waters of the Beauly Firth.
There are fine views across the firth to the distant mountains. Cross the canal using the final lock, and head back up the far bank and across the railway once more. Turn left at the signpost for 'Old Ferry Pier and South Kessock'. This takes you along the seawall with a good chance of spotting wading birds. After crossing the railway a third time you will emerge through a gate at the picnic area at South Kessock.
If you are lucky, this is a good place to see the Moray Firth Dolphins (best seen around the change of tides). Follow the road along the front of the houses. After a short distance, there is an optional detour path off to the left which leads to a green beacon with a good view of Kessock bridge. Continue along the road beside the river Ness, into a more industrial area. Keep left at the fork just after the plumbing centre. The road comes back alongside the river; pass under the railway bridge and along Gilbert Street, where surroundings become more pleasantly residential once more. Continue along the river bank, passing two more road bridges before reaching a pedestrian suspension bridge. Cross this, and turn right to return to the start point.
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