Inverness, Loch Ness and the North East Highlands

'Ness

Distance: 4.94 miles
Ascent: 81 metres
Duration: 1 hour 57 minutes

Walk 4: Ness Islands and Tomnahuirich

Inverness surprises me every time I visit. I always expect this town at the northern end of the Great Glen to be surrounded by high mountains, but in practice you have to go a good few miles before reaching any land more than five hundred metres above sea level.

This walk eschews the hills altogether and captures the genteel side to Inverness by following the chain of small islands that add interest to the River Ness. It then touches the Caledonian Canal, and climbs the necropolis at Tomnahuirich.

It's very Victorian: cast iron railings and suspension footbridges along the river, and grandiose memorials in the cemetery.

It's also a great way to relax after a hectic fortnight of hiking. We'll spend all of tomorrow on the train slowly winding our way back south. But for now, the Capital of the Highlands is captivating.