Craig Phadrig — Attraction in Inverness West

Walkthrough history and visit the home of a Pictish king! . Among the hundreds of ancient sites hidden in Scotland's forests, Craig Phadrig's hill fort is one of the most impressive. It was probably first built in the Iron Age around 300 BC and then, for some reason lost in history, abandoned and burned. Later it was re-occupied as the headquarters of a powerful Pictish king. . The site was excavated in the 1700s when there was much debate about whether the circular mound was the remains of a volcano! It’s been suggested that St Columba met the Pictish king Bridei here in 565 AD and converted him to Christianity, but there’s little evidence to support this. . Today the walls are easy to see as an oval-shaped mound at the top of the hill. Imagine all the comings and goings as you explore the forest, with glimpses through the trees of Inverness and the Beauly Firth, towards another ancient hillfort at Ord Hill, just across the water. . Getting here: Craig Phadrig is just a few minutes’ drives from the centre of Inverness. Take the A862 heading for Beauly, cross the canal bridge at Muirtown and turn left at the second set of lights onto King Brude Road, following signs for Kinmylies and Leachkin. At the next traffic lights turn right towards Leachkin. After ⅓ mile turns right onto Leachkin Brae. The main car park is ¼ mile (400 metres) up this road on the right; there’s a smaller car park just before this. . Public transport: Buses run from Church Street in the middle of Inverness to the Scorguie and Balnafettack areas, next to Craig Phadrig. . Remember to follow me for future reviews and if you enjoy my photos and information...

This is a truely beautiful forest walk to experience ❤...an established forest of mature trees, which offered me an insight to imaginative 'mystical times' of bygone years. (All you need is imagination !! Lol ) The one thing which surprises me though...n disappoints, is that there are no 'poo bins' provided for the dog walkers among us !! Why on earth not !! Also this I see, was being visited by 'off road bikers....which truely made me angry, as this is a place of beauty, and its pathways should not be abused so, churning the ground up into muddy tracks in some places....shame on you, if you are one of these people....for you lack respect for our beautiful forest, which should be visited and left the way one should find it....beautiful...

We just moved back to the Highlands and took the dogs our to craigphadrig woods for their afternoon walk. The trail is well marked as with most other forestry commission trails and the car park is more than adequate although the signs indicating the entrance to the car park are not very obvious from the main road.

We didn't encounter many people and just took the yellow 2 mile route on this occasion. The blue Fort trail will be attempted next time.

A good pair of shoes are recommended as it is a forest trail but it's a pleasant walk that is suitable for all levels of ability with some beautiful views over the inner moray firth as you pass a clearing looking onto...