■Distance: 5 miles/7.9km ■Time: 2-3 hours ■Grade: Moderate
Just to the west of the Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer, lies a small but attractive body of water called Loch Kinellan which possesses an interesting history. By the southern shore of the loch is a crannog: an artificial, man-made island dating back to the Iron Age built for the purpose of making a dwelling safe from intruders. The loch’s natural history is also rich. There’s an abundance of birdlife, particularly wintering waterfowl, and in late spring there’s the chance of seeing a breeding pair of one of the UK’s rarest birds, the Slavonian grebe. There’s more to this walk than the loch though. The route also takes in two fabulous viewpoints one of which, called View Rock, is reached by passing through a highly beautiful section of the Contin Woods.
1Start
From the car park, turn L to return to the A834 and L again on reaching it. Ignore first turn on R (Kinellan Drive) but take the second, a cul-de-sac signed for Kinellan. Follow as it turns R and climbs slightly to pass an unusual circular house on L, to reach a junction.
2½ mile/0.9km
Turn L at junction onto track heading towards loch, passing a small parking area. Detour R to a memorial to soldiers lost in the Korean War, then continue on track that runs along S side of loch, passing a small parking area. Detour R to a memorial to soldiers lost in the Korean War, then continue on track that runs along S side of loch, passing a house on L. Ignore track L after house but keep ahead, passing a gate, then bending R and climbing.
31¼ miles/2.1km
Go L as the track forks, onto a steeper, loose track, then L again onto a thinner path. As the path levels out, an open area to the R is passed and Ben Wyvis can be seen. Stay on track as it enters woodland and descends to a junction with signpost for View Rock. Turn L and follow the path with green rings on posts descending to pass a clearing on the R, then climbing to reach the large s
