Fort Augustus
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-> Fort Augustus
FORT AUGUSTUS, a tiny village at the scenic southwestern tip of Loch Ness, was named after George II's son, the chubby lad who later became the "Butcher" Duke of Cumberland, of Culloden fame; it was built as a barracks after the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Today, it's dominated by comings and goings along the Caledonian Canal, which leaves Loch Ness here, and by its large former Benedictine Abbey, a campus of grey Victorian buildings founded on the site of the original fort in 1876.
The small Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre (July-Sept daily 10am-5pm; Easter-June & Oct Mon-Thurs & Sun 10am-5pm; free) is in Ardchattan House on the northern bank of the canal, where you can view old photographs and records about the history of the canal and watch a black-and-white film of the days when paddle boats and large barges passed through the locks every day. There's some good cycling routes locally, along the Great Glen cycle route and elsewhere; the only place to rent bikes nearby is at South Laggan, eight miles or so southwest at the head of Loch Lochy, where Monster Activities (tel 01809/501340) rents bikes, boats and canoes.
Fort Augustus's small tourist office (daily: July & Aug 9am-7pm; April-June, Sept & Oct 9am-5pm; tel 01320/366367) hands out free walking maps. The only hostel accommodation is at Morag's Lodge (tel 01320/366289) above the petrol station on the Loch Ness side of town, where the atmosphere livens up with the daily arrival of backpackers' minibus tours. The Old Pier (tel 01320/366418; £50-60) is a particularly appealing B&B right on the loch at the north side of the village; there are log fires in the evenings - often very welcome even in summer - and boats and horse-riding are available to guests. For food, your best bet is to head to the lively local pub, the Lock Inn, which has regular music and draws a mixed clientele of locals, yachties and backpackers, as does Poachers on the main road.
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