Loch Ruthven

0.6 miles (1 km)

This walk visits the Loch Ruthven Nature Reserve in the Scottish Highlands.
The loch is an RSPB Nature Reserve with lots of wildlife to look out for. Keep your eyes peeled for Slavonian grebes, osprey and black-throated divers.
You can start the walk from the car park at the eastern end of the loch and then follow nature trails down to the water. To extend the walk you could climb Stac Gorm to the south and enjoy excellent views across the loch.
It's easy to continue your walking by heading to the nearby Loch Duntelchaig, Loch Ashie and the pretty Dores Beach at Loch Ness.

Postcode

IV2 6UA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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Loch Ruthven Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Loch Ruthven Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Loch Ruthven OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Loch Ruthven Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To the north there's one of the historic highlights of the area at Culloden Battlefield. There's a circular walking trail here which explores the site of the famous battle of 1746. On the south eastern side of the battlefield there's also the Clava Cairns and the Culloden Viaduct. The ancient Bronze Age site includes prehistoric burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel. It's also a short walk from the eye catching Culloden Viaduct which carries the Highland Main Line over the�River Nairn.
The Affric Kintail Way can be picked up at Drumnadrochit village, which lies on the western side of Loch Ness. This long distance trail runs from the loch�to Morvich via Glen Urquhart and Glen Affric. If you were to follow the trail west it would take you to Loch Meiklie and the village of Cannich. Also near Drumnadrochit you can visit the historic Urquhart Castle. The photogenic 13th century castle ruins are positioned in a dramatic spot overlooking the western side of Loch Ness.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Scottish Highlands Walks page.