Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal
Part of Scottish Highlands Tour
From Spean Bridge, it was another 36.7 kms. (a 30-min. drive), via A82, to Fort Augustus, a charming settlement and popular and busy tourist destination in the parish of Boleskine and Abertarff, at the south-west end of Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, home of the famous Loch Ness Monster (fondly called Nessie). Here we were to have lunch and, afterwards, go on a boat cruise around Loch Ness. It was raining throughout when we arrived and we had to bring out our umbrellas to get to Monster Fish & Chips, adjacent to the Jet Petrol Station, where we first tried out a huge serving of its namesake.
Check out “Spean Bridge” and “Loch Ness Cruise”
Monster Fish and Chips
Jet Petrol Station
Until the early 18th century, the settlement was called Kiliwhimin. After the Jacobite rising of 1715, it was renamed Fort Augustus after Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, one of the sons of King George II. From 1903 until 1933, the village was served by a rail line, from Spean Bridge, to a terminus on the banks of Loch Ness. It was built by the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway in the hope of eventually completing a line to Inverness and latterly operated by the North British Railway and its successor, the London and North Eastern Railway, but initially operated by the Highland Railway.
Caledonian Canal
After lunch, I proceeded to explore the village on foot. Fort Augustus is centered around the impressive, 96 km. (60 mi.) long Caledonian Canal. The canal, connecting Fort William to Inverness, passes through Fort Augustus in a dramatic series of locks stepping down to Loch Ness. The canal was built, between 1804 and 1822, under the direction of William Jessop and Thomas Telford. Boats using the canal are raised and lowered 13 m. by a “ladder” of 5 consecutive locks, all completed in 1820. The A82 road crosses the canal on a swing bridge at the foot of the 5 locks.
War Memorial Hall
The single storey War Memorial Hall, a public hall converted to the Territorial Drill Hall (and later returned to its original function), was designed by Inverness-born architect John Robertson (1840-1925) and built from 1891 to 1892. It Italianate style detailing includes round arch windows with unusual convex moldings and deep overhanging beams. The interior includes a good hammerbeam roof in the main hall.
The Clansman Centre
A memorial plaque, set in a round arch recess at the porch front of the hall, has a battlemented parapet and was built in 1918. It commemorates the residents of Fort Augustus who were killed or missing in the First World War (21 names) and the Second World War (5 names).
The Mill Shop
The village’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and all around the town are many gift and souvenir shops selling tartan treats (scarves, blankets, woolen jumpers, etc.), traditional Scottish souvenirs and Nessie souvenirs such as the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, The Mill Shop (a converted church), the Fort Augustus Gift Company, the Clansman Centre, etc.
Caledonian Canal Centre
The Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, beside the lowest lock, offers visitors and locals a wealth of local heritage and internationally renowned local features of the Caledonian Canal (designed by Thomas Telford and opened in 1822), Great Glen and Loch Ness. This world-class visitor and destination hub also offers all year round facilities for visitors, a gift shop promoting relevant and locally sourced goods and a café serving homemade, Scottish produce. There is also a grab and go offer, boasting fresh coffee and local artisan ice cream from the Black Isle Dairy.
Fort Augustus Gift Company
The Clansman Centre, housed in a historic 19th century Victorian schoolhouse, is a quaint little craft and gift shop specializing in Celtic and locally produced crafts and gifts such as silver jewelry, Harris Tweed, tartan, whiskey barrel clocks and frames, Celtic plaques, clan scarves and Nessie souvenirs. An interactive museum, it also offers shows on the Clansmen, featuring live re-enactments with weapons demonstrations, by costumed actors dressed in traditional Highland garb, in a recreated Highland turf house theater.
Bothy Restaurant & Bar
Aside from Monster Fish & Chips, you can also dine at Bothy Restaurant & Pub, The Moorings and the Boathouse.
The Moorings
The Boathouse
Monster Fish & Chips: 6, A82, Fort Augustus PH32 4DD, United Kingdom.
Fort Augustus Gift Company: Main Street, Fort Augustus PH32 4DD, United Kingdom.
The Mill Shop: Mackay Hall, Fort Augustus PH32 4DJ, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1320 366404. Open daily,10 AM to 4 PM.
Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre: Canal Side, Fort Augustus PH32 4AU, United Kingdom. Open daily, 9 AM to 5 PM. Tel: 01463 725581. E-mail: stay@scottishcanals.co.uk.
Clansman Centre: Old Schoolhouse Canal Side, Fort Augustus PH32 4BD, United Kingdom. Open daily, 11 AM to 4 PM. Tel: +44 1320 366444. E-mail: clansmancentre@gmail.com. Website: www.clansmancentre.uk.
The Hairy Coo: Suites 6 & 7, Administrative Office Only, St. John’s Studios, 46A Constitution St., Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RS, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 131 212 5026. E-mail: contact@thehairycoo.com. Website: www.thehairycoo.com.
How to Get There: Fort Augustus is located 161 kms. (100 mi.) from Edinburgh and 692 kms. (430 mi.) from London. The village is served by the A82 road and lies approximately midway between Inverness (56 kms.) and Fort William (51 kms.) in the Scottish Highlands. Coordinates: 57.1432°N 4.6807°W.