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Inverewe Gardens combined visit and lunch stop.
· This is a long day, but the scenery is spectacular. Warn the group about midges; insect repellent is a must for this day!
· Call well ahead to Inverewe Gardens to let them know you are bringing a group and to book for lunch/any wheelchair needed.
· Entrances are paid by voucher.
· Adjust timing according to the location of your hotel.
· Group will not be able to take plants through U.S.D.A. Immigration unless they have special/professional dispensation. Anyone may take seeds so long as they are cleaned or were bought commercially, i.e. in packets from a nursery.
En Route
Loch Ness
Stop to photograph Loch Ness somewhere along A82. You could stop at Castle Urquhart, pax pay entrances, or use a lay-by between Inverness and Drumnadrochit. If your itinerary allows it, try to visit Loch Ness the day before, then you can depart Inverness on the A9.
Falls of Messach
If at all possible, stop at the Falls of Measach (Corrieshalloch Gorge). View of 150 ft waterfalls and suspension bridge built by John Fowler, one of the engineers on the Forth Bridge. It’s a great experience to walk over the bridge. Drop the group at the car park (toilets) and walk down through the wood to see the viewpoint (to right), and then turn left down towards the bridge. Only six at a time on the footbridge! It is a 15 minutes slightly rough path and steps back up to the car park on the opposite side. The coach can meet you there. Anyone not up to the climb can look at viewpoint and travel round with the coach. NB This is a tough climb for anyone with any doubts about their fitness and the bridge is pretty scary too!
Inverewe Gardens – visit
Beautiful and extensive gardens. Takes a good hour/hour and a half to walk all the way round.
Drop group and pay entrances in visitor centre, entrance to gardens past ticket desk. Restaurant is large white building in car park. There are maps in the guide books, (small charge), or you could stand at garden entrance and direct them. Tell them not to miss; the walled garden (immediately on the left), the floral borders around the house (a little bit further on) and the wooded walk to the view-point and jetty right at the far end. Inverewe has a restaurant, might be wise to eat first.
THERE IS A WHEELCHAIR AND WHEELCHAIR ROUTE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH POOR MOBILITY.
En Route to Fort William
Eilean Donan Castle – photo/rest stop
Turn right before crossing the bridge into car park (toilets). Visitor centre also has a nice café. Closes at 6pm. Last Admission is 5pm. Restaurant/Toilets close at 5pm
Commando Memorial
Photo stop at this memorial to the Commando regiment who trained here in WW II. Just before Spean Bridge. Also views of Ben Nevis (4406 feet).
SEE INFORMATION INDEX FOR ALL PHONE NUMBERS AND OPENING TIMES.