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Evergreen Bed and Breakfast
within easy access of a wide variety of outdoor activities
Loch Ness
Without doubt, the fame of Loch Ness and its monster is known all over the world. But Loch Ness has much more than an elusive monster. The south side of the loch is the quieter of the two sides and this is where you will find Evergreen situated in Inverfarigaig. From Inverness you will first see a view of Loch Ness from Dores. Have a walk on the pebble beach or simply take in the magnificent sight of the loch. The roads on the south side were originally built as military roads to connect the garrison at Inverness with Fort Augustus and Fort William. There are a number of parking areas along the B852 where good views of, and access to the loch shore, can be peacefully enjoyed. The Falls of Foyers on the B852, just two miles from Evergreen, are also worth stopping at. From the Suidhe Chumein viewpoint on the B862, enjoy wonderful views of the mountains to the west.
At the south end of the loch, Fort Augustus is a good place to watch the life of the Caledonian Canal where, at a series of locks, boats are raised or lowered to allow them access to Loch Ness or the canal itself. Also here, visitors can enjoy the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, a Rare Breeds Park and also the Clansman Centre, a living museum based round a reconstructed 17th century turf house. Costumed (and armed!) clansfolk give a vivid insight into Highland life of old.
The sightings of the monster over the years are at the core of the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition Centre at Drumnadrochit which is on the north side of the loch. In addition, the complex here has wide-ranging quality souvenir shopping, including kilts and whisky. The north side also has a number of other attractions and these include the interesting 3-acre garden at Abriachan, while just below Drumnadrochit is Urquhart Castle with its visitor centre telling the story of this important Great Glen fortress.
Activities in the area include walking in Farigaig Forest at Inverfarigaig, cycling on the Great Glen Cycleway, also pony trekking, golf and angling. In summary, this is an area close to Inverness with fine scenery and also guided cruises available on Loch Ness.
If you want to take in some culture and shopping while you are in the area, then the city of Inverness has both and much more. There are great walks along the river Ness which runs through the centre of the city or enjoy wonderful views from the 19th century castle which sits above the river. Shopping for Scottish crafts, plus all the nightlife and a superb range of top quality restaurants are just a few of the other options which you can enjoy.
Activities
All the activities listed are within easy reach of Evergreen
Wildlife and bird watching
Dolphins
The Moray Firth, is one of only two places in the UK where bottle-nosed dolphins can be seen. There are various boat trips taking visitors out into the Firth where the dolphins will frequently follow the small boat. Other viewing spots are the shore at the narrows between Channoray Point on the Black Isle to the north of Inverness and Fort George to the east. The best times are when the tide is flowing strongly and when the sun is out - they seem to enjoy jumping out of the water when the sun shines!
www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk - Moray firth Wildlife Cruises, Inverness
www.dolphintripsavoch.co.uk - Dolphin Trips Avoch, Avoch, Black Isle
www.ecoventures.co.uk - Ecoventures, Cromarty, Black Isle
Red deer can be seen on many areas of higher ground in the South Loch Ness area. Between Whitebridge and Fort Augustus, look out for large groups, mainly in the winter months
Birdwatching
RSPB Loch Ruthven Nature Reserve, Inverness-shire. This is the best site in Britain to guarantee views of Slavonian grebes with their spectacular breeding colours. Ospreys visit almost daily during their season and red-throated divers, goosanders and other waterfowl can be expected. Passerines include whinchats, redpolls, wheatears and the occasional ring ouzel. You may even see short-eared owls and hen harriers.
Upper Findhorn, Coignafearn, Inverness-shire. This is very much golden eagle country but other species you may see are peregrines, merlins, kestrels and sparrowhawks. Dippers and grey wagtails are found along the burn and lapwings and oystercatchers nest in the meadows near the river. Ring ouzels, wheatears, meadow pipits and the distinctive stonechat are all found here. Occasionally red grouse may be seen or heard. As a bonus you can usually see large herds of red deer browsing on the hill.
Cycling
There are excellent cycling opportunities not just because in this area of low population many roads are quiet anyway, but because there are so many ways in which cyclists are encouraged. There are off-road opportunities by way of a huge range of forestry tracks, for example. In the area around South Loch Ness, the networks of quieter roads offer fantastic scenery and everything from short circuits for an afternoon to multi day routes.
www.southlochnessaccess.org.uk/ - Trail of the Seven Lochs - 50 mile loop suitable for cycling, horse riding and walkers within 2 miles of Evergreen
www.highlandbikes.com - Cycle Hire in Inverness
Ticket to Ride - Cycle hire which includes a delivery and pick up service
Fishing
There is good fishing on the lochs on the south side of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal in the Great Glen itself. Permits are, in most places, excellent value. We are happy to advise and arrange a permit. Daily, weekly or season permits are usually available.
If you would like to try your hand at fly fishing, whether you are a total beginner or an accomplished angler, Alex Sutherland, a local Ghillie, can provide a great day out. Instruction in fly fishing for brown trout on local lochs and streams.
www.whitebridgehotel.co.uk - For information and permits on South Loch Ness
Pony Trekking & Horse Riding
With its network of old routes through the glens, Scotland is made for riding and trekking. A variety of Highland riding and trekking operators offer everything from short treks for youngsters and beginners, or more challenging routes for the expert rider. A new 50 mile loop on the south side of Loch Ness has been developed by riders. Wherever you choose, you can be sure that the view from the saddle will certainly be rewarding.
www.lochnessriding.co.uk - Loch Ness riding situated above the village of Dores, South Loch Ness
www.borlum.co.uk - Highland Riding Centre, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness
www.southlochnessaccess.org.uk/ - South Loch Ness Access Group
Golf
The fame of Highland courses reaches its height, perhaps, with the great classic east-coast championship courses at Nairn (past host to events such as the British Amateur Championship and the Walker Cup) and also Dornoch whose grand seaside links have earned it the title of "the St Andrews of the North". Then there are a whole range of quirky courses, as well as smaller courses where it is easy just to turn up and play. Highland golf, in all its variety, has something for players of all standards.
www.golflochness.com - Fairways Golf Centre, Inverness
www.royaldornoch.com - Championship course at Dornoch
www.nairndunbar.com - Championship Links Course, Nairn
Adventure sports
Ever tried gorge walking? How about white-water rafting? Maybe you want to brush up on your winter skills or your hill navigation? Winter, of course, brings its own set of challenges for skiers, downhill, X-country or Telemark. The list of adventurous things to do is as varied as the land itself here in the Highlands.
www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk - gorge walking, canyoning and abseiling are a few of the activities this company offers
www.ice-factor.co.uk - The biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world
www.highlandactivities.co.uk - wide range of outdoor activities, including white water rafting only 45 minutes from Evergreen
www.bogbainfarm.com - Quad biking for all the family
Mountain Biking
In their late 2004 survey the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) voted Scotland as the world's number one mountain biking destination in its people's choice category.
For the more moderate mountain biker there are off-road opportunities by way of a huge range of forestry tracks. These include the Rothiemurchus Estate, Glenmore and Inshriach forests near Aviemore with miles of safe tracks through the pine woods. Or further south try the Laggan Wolftrax blue trail. Leanachan Forest near Fort William also offers plenty of waymarked routes while further up the Great Glen and west towards Cannich and Glen Affric there are many trails both waymarked and unmarked. New trails are also being developed on the Black Isle and in the Glen Affric area. .
www.forestry.gov.uk/wolftrax - Laggan Wolftrax - Mountain bike trails
www.rothiemurchus.net - Route maps for family mountain biking
www.nevisrange.co.uk - Award winning World Cup downhill track
Snowsports
Skiing in the Highlands is friendly, unpretentious and enjoyed by all ages and all standards of skier will find it rewarding - and that applies to telemarkers and snowboard enthusiasts, too.
There are three Highland ski centres - Nevis Range near Fort William, Caringorm near Aviemore and Glencoe, all of them with highly qualified instructors and ski schools offering every level of tuition. In addition, ski tourers, ski mountaineers and cross-country enthusiasts can seize the moment when conditions are right - sometimes even at low levels when forestry tracks used by walkers and cyclists at other times of year make ideal cross-country terrain.
www.nevisrange.co.uk - Enjoy skiing on the slopes of Aonach Mor
www.cairngormmountain.co.uk - Cairngorm Mountain Ski Area in the heart of the National Park
Watersports
We are close to a wide range of watersports. Loch Insh is a popular place, offering sailing dinghies, canoes, windsurfers and also river trips on the River Spey itself. Watersports is also an important theme around the Great Glen. In the Laggan area, you can easily find a range of activities, both on the loch sections of the Caledonian Canal or on Loch Oich
www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk - Canoeing on Loch Ness or on nearby rivers
www.lochinsh.com - Loch Insh Watersports offer a range of activities both on and off the water
All major credit cards accepted
No-smoking establishment
E-mail access for guests
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