Craig Phadrig

Walk through history and visit the home of a Pictish king

Among the hundreds of ancient sites hidden in Scotland's forests, Craig Phadrig's hill fort is one of the most impressive. Standing guard over Inverness, the Iron Age hill fort of Craig Phadrig was built over 2000 years ago. Centuries later it was the headquarters of a powerful Pictish king. St Columba is said to have visited the fort in 565AD to meet with the Pictish king Bridei.

Look out for the ruined walls of the fort. The rampart was destroyed by fire. The stones were fused together by the intense heat, a process known as vitrification.

Today the walls are easy to see as an oval shaped mound at the top of the hill. Imagine all the comings and goings as you explore the forest, with glimpses through the trees of Inverness and the Beauly Firth, towards another ancient hillfort at Ord Hill, just across the water.

Walking trails

Craig Phadrig route card (PDF)

Walking

Hill Fort Trail

A short pull up onto the hill fort of Craig Phadrig (Patrick’s Rock) itself is rewarded with fantastic views across Beauly Firth.

Uneven earth section with potentially muddy patches. Steep slope up to the fort with some wooden steps.

1 ¼ miles / 1.9 km

¾ hour

Walking

Craig Phadrig Trail

Follow in the footsteps of saints and kings, where trees stand guard around the foot of the ancient fortifications at Craig Phadrig

Wide, largely smooth gravel surface. Some slightly uneven and muddy sections. Moderate slopes with short slightly steeper sections.

1 ½ miles / 2.3 km

Allow
1 hour

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking

Ancient monument

Life's essentials

There are toilets and places to eat in Inverness.

Getting here

Craig Phadrig is just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Inverness. Take the A862 heading for Beauly, cross the canal bridge at Muirtown and turn left at the second set of lights onto King Brude Road, following signs for Kinmylies and Leachkin.

At the next traffic lights turn right towards Leachkin. After ⅓ mile turn right onto Leachkin Brae. The main car park is ¼ mile (400 metres) up this road on the right; there’s a smaller car park just before this. 

Using SatNav?

IV3 8PN is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses run from Church Street in the middle of Inverness to the Scorguie and Balnafettack areas, next to Craig Phadrig. Check Traveline Scotland for details.

Get directions