Change House Walk, Erchite Wood, Inverfarigaig

Summary

Follow the shores of Loch Ness for a short but beautiful stretch to visit the site of an old inn. You could head back the same way, or cross the line of General Wade's military road to climb through forestry to further glimpses over Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, with a final stretch along the tarmac road.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Lochside path, then a climb and descent through forestry and a final stretch of road walking.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Parking layby south Loch Ness (first parking area after Inverfarigaig with picnic area). Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3km / 1.75 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 56m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH550284

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Start from a parking and picnic area looking over Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle on the far side; there are many laybys towards Dores but the correct one has picnic tables. Follow the path at the Change House Path sign and skirt the waterside where a number of seating areas with views have been made.

Stage 2

Soon the path comes up to the site of Change House on the left; the ruins of this 18th century inn can be seen next to the sign. The inn was used by travellers on the military road between Inverness and Fort Augustus; here they could get food, accommodation and change horses, hence the name. Johnson and Boswell stayed here and were unimpressed with the facilities on offer, commenting that it was 'a wretched hovel, of earth only... and for a window had a hole which was stopped with a piece of turf.' This is the end of the loveliest part of the walk, and you could return the same way. Otherwise, continue along the path to the road and cross to take the path immediately opposite. The path bends left to climb parallel to the road at first.

Stage 3

The path climbs fairly gently through the woods and crosses a small bridge before reaching a clearing. Soon a bench is reached with a good view across the water to Urquhart Castle, although not much can be seen of the nearby village of Drumnadrochit as it is hidden by trees. Keep following the main track, ignore the path to the right which leads to the Fair Haired Lad's Pass.

Stage 4

At a track junction beyond turn left. The track soon swings right, and passes an old house, and eventually descends back to the road. Turn left along the tarmac for 900m to return to the start - although narrow, the road can be fairly busy so take care.

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