About
This first phase of the Strathglass Heritage Trail is funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the local charity Soirbheas.
Strathglass – the valley of the River Glass – has been inhabited for over four thousand years. Many of our predecessors in this glen have left traces of their lives here, whether prehistoric sites which we can only explore by archaeological research, or more recent remains for which we also have written records.
Strathglass Heritage Association aims to make people aware of the large number of archaeological and historical sites in our area, and to make them more easily accessible, so that local residents and visitors alike can appreciate our rich heritage. To this end we have chosen a number of sites to incorporate into a Heritage Trail.
Our criteria for choosing sites are that they must be:
reasonably easy to get to;
well enough preserved to be clearly visible;
interesting to people whether or not they have any prior knowledge of history or archaeology.
The idea for a Heritage Trail came about a few years ago and we held an exhibition of possible sites back in 2019. Unfortunately, lack of funding and the Covid pandemic of 2020 delayed our plans. Now, with the assistance of Historic Environment Scotland and Soirbheas, work has begun on several sites.
The Heritage Trail – a work in progress!
Thus far we have identified several suitable sites for inclusion in this early phase of the Strathglass Heritage Trail. We already have detailed information and images of some sites, but much remains to be done. In fact, SHA members are discovering potentially new sites on a regular basis!
For each site, our aims are:
- record all details (location, dimensions, surrounding vegetation)
- produce detailed images of sites
- research all known information about the site (online and printed records)
- identify measures necessary to improve access e.g. clear vegetation, improve paths
- identify nearest available parking and best route to the site
- decide on the number and location of signs needed to direct visitors to the site
- include sites on our website
- produce an information leaflet
- in the longer term produce printed information cards for each site
In the longer term we aim to produce the Strathglass Heritage Trail Guide in three formats:
The website will include a map showing the location of all the sites, and individual maps showing access to each site or group of sites. There will be an entry for each site, putting it in its historical context, and where appropriate explaining the origin and meaning of its name, since most are derived from Gaelic. The text will give accurate information but will be designed to be easily understood by people with little or no previous knowledge of archaeology or history. There will also be at least one photograph for each site, and an explanation of how to access it and recognize it.
Each site will be recorded in full detail including photographs and references in an archive which will be held by the Strathglass Heritage Association and made available to anyone on request.
We will produce printed and laminated A5-size cards, one for each site, with text, photographs and maps as on the website, so that visitors can take these out with them when they go to visit the sites and have all the information they need at hand. The cards will be put into suitable packs, which will be available to purchase in local outlets e.g. shops, hotels, accommodation providers etc and will be given free of charge to local schools or other interested community groups.
Once the website is live and the cards ready for distribution, the Trail will be advertised with Visit Scotland, Visit Inverness Loch Ness and other suitable portals, and also on the websites of local businesses and of other interested bodies e.g. Strathglass Marketing Group, Clan Chisholm Society.
For more information on the work of Strathglass Heritage Association and details of how to become a member please visit: