Allt na Criche — Attraction in Scotland

Great place to visit, the first afternoon there, I was sitting by the water eating a Cornish pasty when the whole loch started rolling, like someone had dropped a bus in it. A massive wave came toward shore and knocked my crisps into the water.

I assumed it was one of those tourist cruise boats turning around too fast. I didn’t see the boat, mind you, but I suppose it must have been a very quiet, stealthy model. Maybe electric. Scotland’s big on going green these days.

The second morning there, I’m having my sandwich by the shore — ham and Branston pickle, nothing fancy — when the whole surface of the lake ripples like something the size of a double-decker bus just rolled over. I thought, “Oh great, some idiot’s got a submarine.” I waved my sandwich at it in annoyance, which might’ve been rude in hindsight, but the wake stopped. Just dead stopped. Then I heard a sort of deep “Mmmmrrghhh” noise echo across the water. Probably a cow. From the next valley.

On my last morning, I was driving along the loch road when traffic suddenly stopped. The car in front of me swerved, and I saw what looked like a giant eel slithering across the tarmac and back into the lake. Strangest thing. I figured it had escaped from a seafood delivery truck or possibly the aquarium up north. They really ought to secure their tanks better — that thing must’ve been twenty feet long!

Aside from that, perfectly pleasant trip. Locals were friendly, though they kept asking if I’d “seen anything interesting.” I told them about the loose aquarium eel and the inflatable rescue dummy, and they got very quiet. Lovely hills, though. Water’s a bit murky, but that’s nature for you. Would recommend — just bring extra crisps in case of...

Terrible, don't visit here!! Because it is one of my favorites and I want it for myself!! Seriously a lovely 'littlee' walk. GOod start, with a climb up the hill alongside the burn to the falls.. Not as dramatic as alt na callich 'Invergarry'. Then turning left at the top, onto the forest Road, to climb further up the hill. Then a left off the main forest Road onto the marked path and back downhill all the way to the car park. Good exercise with the strenuous Hill climb at the start.. some amazing views of Loch Ness and the island. On a more sombre note the start of this walk is becoming a 'toileting' spot for motorcyclists....... Please don't!? There are toilets in Fort August, literally just down the road. If you wish to enjoy the Highlands, please respect them? John I will put up more details with pictures in the...

A hidden, unknown gem! It turned out to be one of my favorite places to visit around Loch Ness. The path straight up the hill from the car park follows a lovely mountain stream with periodic water falls. We encountered an otter at one of the falls. The forest floor is mostly open with a bed of pine needles and moss, springy to walk on. About halfway up the path is an unmarked path that leads to a ruin of a small village. The stone walls of which were so overcome by moss and forest litter to be indiscernable from a distance. It is a stop well worth your time and effort. I almost feel bad posting about it, since part of the charm is that it seems...