Itinerary

Strathglass & Glenurquhart Heritage Festival 2023

The Festival is now complete for this year. Thanks to all who helped to organise the events and especially thanks to those who came along to learn a bit more about our heritage.

The Festival is aimed at encouraging the wider population to engage with the history and heritage of both Strathglass and Glenurquhart, each distinct and having a large number of sites of interest.

The Festival will take place over the weekend of Friday 24th March – Monday 27th March and will be a pilot for a possible annual event.

Both Strathglass Heritage Association and Glenurquhart Heritage Group will provide a number of walks and talks on topics covering a timespan of several thousand years.

Soirbheas has secured funding from Paths for All (P4A) to develop a Heritage Walking Weekend.

Project partners include Strathglass Heritage Group, Strathglass Marketing Association, Glen Urquhart Heritage Group and Loch Ness Hub.

The project will aim to raise the profile and increase the knowledge of local history by engaging with both local people and visitors to the area. A key element of the project is to encourage people to walk more and reconnect with the built and natural environment.

Events In Strathglass

Friday 24th March 10.30am – Meet Marydale Hall, Cannich

Guides: Peter MacDonald & Jim McAuley
Distance: 2 miles
Grade: Easy
Duration: 2.5 hours total
Maximum Spaces: 14
Guided visit to Marydale Church then on to ancient burial ground at Clachan Comar – refreshments at Marydale – then illustrated talk on the Davoch of Clachan (Chisholm Clearances). Additional spaces will be available for the talk – please book!

Saturday 25th March 10.00am – Meet Marydale Hall, Cannich

Guides: Dennis Ross & Stevie Murray
Distance: 3 miles
Grade: Easy
Duration: 3 hours total
Maximum spaces: 14
Mini bus transport to the conservation village of Tomich built by the Tweedmouth family in the 1850s highlighting notable buildings. On to the ruin of Guisachan House followed by a visit to the Guisachan farm steading – refreshments at Coach House Cafe in Tomich.

Sunday 26th March 11.00am – Meet Marydale Hall, Cannich

Guides: Marjorie Wilson & Jim McAuley
Distance: Mini bus transport then 1.5 miles
Grade:Easy
Duration: 2.5 hours total
Maximum spaces: 14

Short minibus trip to Comar Wood then short walk to Comar Wood Dun dating from the 1st millenium BC accompanied by SHA’s resident archaeologist – refreshments at Marydale – Illustrated talk on the Excavation of the Dun. Additional spaces will be available for the talk – please book!

Monday 27th March 10.00am – Meet Cnoc Hotel Car Park

Guides: Lilian Gordon & Maeve Ryan
Distance: 4 miles
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 3 hours
Maximum Spaces: 14
Walk part of the local Chisholm Trail – from former Erchless Estate Office, Chisholm Burial Ground, Erchless Castle grounds then on to Struy Bridge (Thomas Telford) crossing the River Glass to Mauld (mini bus) to see the Chisholm Memorial – return Cnoc Hotel for refreshments.

These events are limited to 14 people – sorry no dogs due to livestock and use of minibuses for some stages.

As well as some sections on foot visitors will be boarding and alighting the mini buses – mobility problems could be an issue hence we are welcoming additional visitors to the talks.

Please ensure you have appropriate footwear and waterproof clothing as we cannot guarentee good weather at the time of year.

There is NO CHARGE for attending any event and refreshments are included but you MUST book in advance by emailing admin@strathglass-heritage.co.uk or calling 01456 415366.

Events In Glenurquhart

Friday 24 March 2pm

Name: Heritage Trail around Drumnadrochit
Saturday 25 March 10.30am
Grade (strong / medium / easy)
Distance: Approx. 3.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
no transport
Max number of spaces: 12
Meeting location: Loch Ness Hub car park
Short walk description: A circuit from Hub car park, the Village Green, Bradley Martin memorial, Blairbeg public hall, the Church of Scotland, old school, Old Kilmore burial ground, East and West Lewiston, Balmacaan to Cnocan Burraidh and return to car park.

Saturday 25 March 10.30am

Name: Heritage Trail around Drumnadrochit
Grade (strong / medium / easy)
Distance: Approx. 3.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
no transport
Max number of spaces: 12
Meeting location: Loch Ness Hub car park
Short walk description: A circuit from Hub car park, the Village Green, Bradley Martin memorial, Blairbeg public hall, the Church of Scotland, old school, Old Kilmore burial ground, East and West Lewiston, Balmacaan to Cnocan Burraidh and return to car park.

Sunday 26 March 1.30pm

Name: Corrimony
Grade (strong / medium / easy)
Distance: Approx 2.5 miles (one way); option to walk back or be picked up by the mini bus
Duration: 3.5 hours (inc transfer from Drumnadrochit)
Transport: Mini Bus
Max number of spaces: 8
Meeting location: Loch Ness Hub car park
Short walk description:Minibus pick up from Hub Car park to Corrimony bridge off the A831. Walkers will then follow the unclassified road past the old school, church, Corrimony Chambered Cairn, old Corrimony House. A possible visit to the cruck barn & Monie’s Stone may be included.

Please note – no dogs on this walk due to the mini bus transfer and close proximity to a working farm.

Monday 27 March 10am

Name: Divach Falls
Grade (strong / medium / easy)
Distance: Approx. 6 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Max number of spaces: 12
Meeting location: Loch Ness Hub car park
Short walk description: From the Hub car park follow Balmacaan Drive, stop at the Ivy Bridge and continue on to Dhivach Lodge and return to the Hub car park. A visit to Dhivach Falls is optional depending on the weather /condition of path. This walk involves a hill including a short steep section.

Please ensure you have appropriate footwear and waterproof clothing as we cannot guarentee good weather at the time of year.

There is NO CHARGE for attending any event but you MUST book in advance by emailing bookings@lochnesstravel.com.

Please note that event durations are approximate and external factors such as weather may mean the program could be changed at short notice.

Download a copy of the Festival Programme.

DISCLAIMER

Everyone taking part in the above activities does so at their own risk.

We do not employ qualified guides, leaders or first aiders on any of our events.

Event organisers and event hosts assume no responsibility for anyone attending any event. The event organisers and event hosts will not be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss occurring as a result of any event or in connection with travel to such event, however caused.

When you join a walk or other event, you indicate that you accept these conditions and accept that no legal liability is accepted by the event organisers or event hosts in the event of accident or injury, however caused.

Participants in events are reminded that outdoor activities frequently need specialist equipment (boots, waterproofs, etc) and they are not provided. Participants are responsible for assessing their own risk, the safety of themselves and the suitability of any equipment used. Any Medical Conditions that may affect the participants during the event should be notified to the walk leader prior to the start of the event.

While accepting no responsibility or liability, for walks and other outdoor events, the event host or walk leader may, at their discretion, not admit you to join the walk or other event if in their opinion you are ill-equipped for the terrain and weather conditions.

If dogs are allowed on walks, at the discretion of the walk leader – please see the individual event details or contact the walk leader – dogs must be kept under close control at all times and on a lead where necessary or requested by the walk leader.

Please note that legal responsibility for any incidents caused by dogs lies with the dog owner.