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Fort Augustus
Whether by boat, road or path, Fort Augustus is a great place to stop, take a breather, and admire the majesty of the Caledonian Canal.
Fort Augustus is at the mid-point of the Caledonian Canal in the heart of Scotland's Great Glen, just at the southern entrance to the locks that take boats into Loch Ness. A flight of five locks takes the canal down into the loch.
The takes its name from a fort built after the defeat of the 1715 Jacobite uprising. Almost nothing remains of the original fort today, although some parts were built into the the Benedictine Abbey in 1876 and was inhabited by monks until as recently as 1998.
Days out in Fort Augustus
The village offers an impressive selection of visitor attractions. You can find out all about the canal at the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, while the Clansman Centre allows you to experience a slice of Highland life as it was 500 years ago. A trip to the Rare Breeds Croft just outside the village will give you a chance to see some unusual farm animals and birds. There's also a chance to see the Loch Ness Monster (yes, really), canalside at the locks.
Finally, if you fancy a bit of a stroll, the 73-mile Great Glen Way along the towpath - inaugurated in 2002 - passes through Fort Augustus, so you get a choice of walking routes.
Other amenities at Fort Augustus include a tourist information centre, shops and pubs, post office, restaurants, hotels and a campsite; water, WC, rubbish disposal and pump-out for boats.
