
Monday, 29 May 2023
Our Forest Drives are once again open for vehicle access. These facilities are a great way to get into the forest and see some stunning sights from across the country. ...
A great place to pause and soak up the panorama of Loch Ness and the Great Glen, enjoy a scenic picnic or stroll down to the stony loch shore. Feel the sweep of history as you take in the magnificent scenery – on the opposite shore there are the 500 year old ruins of a royal castle, and you’re close to the remains of a travellers’ rest visited by famous writers Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell in 1773. Take a look at our guide map to explore Change House and other forests in this stunning area.
Wander through hazel woods along the shore of Loch Ness to the ruins of the Change House.
Mostly firm but sometimes uneven gravel path with a short steep slope.
Allow ½ hours
On the trail you pass the atmospheric ruins of Change House, a staging post where travellers could rest and change their horses. Celebrated writers Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell stopped here during their ‘Highland Jaunt’ in 1773, recording that it was a simple place, its dark smoky interior heated with a peat fire. The owner, they wrote, was ‘an old woman, boiling goat’s flesh in a kettle’.
The South Loch Ness Trail passes close to Change House. This 28 mile (45km) route links Loch Tarff near Fort Augustus with Torbreck on the edge of Inverness. Most of the trail is easily accessible for walking, cycling and horse-riding. Much of the route follows the line of the historic General Wade’s Military Road along the loch shore.
There are public toilets, parking and places to eat and drink in nearby Inverfarigaig and Foyers.
There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.
Change House is on the south side of Loch Ness beside the B852.
From Inverness, take the B862 to Dores and then the B852 towards Inverfarigaig. The parking area is beside the road on your right after about 5 miles (8km).
From Fort Augustus, take the B862 to Whitebridge and then the B852 via Foyers to Inverfarigaig. The parking area is beside the road on your left after about 3 miles (5km).
IV2 6TX is the nearest postcode, but it’s about 3 miles (5km) north of the car park on the B852.
There is an infrequent bus service between Inverness and Fort Augustus that travels along the south shore of Loch Ness. You’ll find details at Traveline Scotland.
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