Wildside, located centrally in the Highlands of Scotland means that both east and west coasts are easily accessible by road and there are many places to visit. Here is a taste of just some of the activities available to holidaymakers at Wildside. More detailed information can be found in the holiday lodges or at reception. Other Loch Ness information may be found here.
If Autumn wasn’t busy enough up here in the Highlands, we’re gearing up for a wonderful winter full of activities, festivities, and beauty. Each year we get so excited for this time of year with the mountains hopefully getting a dumping of snow, that transform the highlands into a winter wonderland!
There’s something for everyone when travelling to the highlands, whether you’re here for an action-packed holiday, looking to visit a part of history or just coming for a relaxing getaway, we have it all!
There are walks of all grades from Wildside, from bridle paths, way marked woodland pathways to hill walking on some of the remotest mountains in Scotland the Monadhliaths, backdrop to ‘Monarch of the Glen’. There are many rivers lochs and waterfalls to discover.
Many guests bring their bikes; with no main road and little traffic on this side of Loch Ness, cycling particularly mountain biking is very popular over a network of unclassified roads and forest tracks.
Nevis Range and Aviemore ski areas are both within an easy hours
Surrounded by rivers, lochs, woods and hills, the variety of wildlife is impressive. Otters pass along the river and pine martens and roe deer visit the grounds at Wildside. The red deer stag is abundant on the higher ground where golden eagles hunt. There is an R.S.P.B. reserve at Loch Ruthven (17miles) where in the summer months you may see the rare slavonian grebe nesting or ospreys fishing. Or, take a cruise on the Moray Firth to see the dolphins.
Fishing in the river for brown trout is available free of charge to guests. Boats can be hired on many of the local lochs; or fish from the bank. A Gillie can be arranged if required.
Fort Augustus has a scenic 9-hole course and a friendly club where they welcome visitors. There are other challenging courses: three at Inverness, two at Nairn and one at Cawder Castle.
Cruises on Loch Ness available from Inverness through the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle with Jacobite Cruises. Other cruises may be taken from Fort Augustus.
Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, alongside the five locks which dominate the centre of Fort Augustus, gives a unique history of the canal. The busy locks are a popular attraction for visitors.
Across the river at Wildside we have a fine example of a single span, high arched bridge, built by General Wade’s troops in 1732 as they created the military road network to link the garrisons of Fort William, Fort Augustus and Inverness. The purpose was to move troops and to break the isolation in the Highlands. This tended to sustain the Jacobite unrest which led to The Battle of Culloden 1746. This site of the last land battle in mainland Britain is well worth a visit; the visitor centre at Culloden explains the history of the Jacobite cause.(1 hour)
Urquhart Castle dominates the northern banks of Loch Ness; impressive new visitor centre.(1 hour)
Loch Ness Exhibition Centre . Originally the Official Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, the facility opened over 30 years ago. Now a hi-tech multi-media presentation leads you through 7 themed areas and 500 million years of history, natural mystery and legend revealing the unique environment of Loch Ness and the famous Nessie legend. Also here is the largest one stop shopping complex on Loch Ness featuring everything including, Heraldry Kiltmakers, Tartans, The Nessie shop and our famous Whisky shop
Cawdor Castle, the 14th century stately home with links with Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, has beautiful gardens. (1 ¼ hours)
Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich, a romantic setting and impressive interior. (1 ½ hours)
Inverness Floral Hall features an indoor subtropical oasis.
Abriachan Nurseries 3 acres of vivid garden on the north shore of Loch Ness.
Date: 29th September 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Price: From £56:00
Age: 18 years or over
The Marathon will start on the high ground between Fort Augustus and Foyers (B862) and will drop down to the banks of Loch Ness at Foyers (B852). From there, the route follows the loch’s south eastern shore, heading north east towards Dores on the northern tip of the loch. From Dores, the race heads directly into the centre of Inverness (B862), turning left over the main road bridge and left again for the last half mile along the River Ness to the finish at Bught Park in the centre of Inverness.
Click here to see the route profile.
