Gask House, Farr, Inverness, IV2 6XG
enquiries@gaskhouse.co.uk / +44 (0)7973 800917
Local Walks
Strathnairn is blessed with an abundance of local paths and trails to explore. We have described some of our favourites below, but there are many other to explore.
We recommend accessing the WalkHighlands website for lists of great walks in the Inverness-shire area and beyond. The walks are clearly graded for different abilities
At all times please be respectful to the landowner and especially be aware when crossing land with livestock.
To better understand your rights, familiarise yourself with the Scottish outdoor access code
01. The Esker Trail
Route Overview
Forest trails around glacial features, managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. There are two circular routes, starting from Littlemill Car Park on the B851, which is approx 5 mins drive from the cottage.
Route Distance
4 km (2.4 miles) 1 hr
Route Rating
Easy/medium . Colour marked paths, some short steep sections, narrow paths can be boggy.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer
02. Stac Gorm
Route Overview
Stac Gorm is a very craggy little hill rising to 250m above Loch Ruthven, the narrow trail has steep and sometimes boggy sections. Fine panoramic views at the top. This walk is accessed from the car park at RSPB Loch Ruthven which is a 20minute drive from the cottage.
Route Distance
2.5 km to the top (1.5 miles) approx. 1hr to the top
Route Rating
Medium-Hard.
Sturdy boots definitely recommended . Some light scrambling involved in short sections.
Maps
Number 417 : OS Explorer . Monadhliath Mountains North & Strathdearn
03. School Wood
Route Overview
This is a small community wood managed by Strathnairn Community Woodlands. It offers a very easy circular route on flat gravel trails (no boggy bits) and is great if it is pouring with rain and the dogs need a quick walk!
Start from the car park opposite the childrens' playground which is just beyond Farr primary school on the B851. This is approx 5 mins drive from the cottage.
Route Distance
Approx 1.5km (1 mile) , 20mins
Route Rating
Easy flat trail on well maintained gravel paths
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
School Wood is a Forestry Commission Red Squirrel "HOT SPOT" and is home to a wood cabin that was built using timber from the trees growing nearby in Milton Wood (see walk 5).
04. River Farnack (I)
Route Overview
A flat walk following a section of the River Farnack. 3.5miles from Gask House or an 8 min drive.
Park at School Wood beside the Farr Primary School , cross the B851 and take the track to the left of the children's' play park. Cross the river and go through the wooden gate immediately to the right. Follow the river until you reach a fork. Take the right fork and follow the river to a small bench. At this point the path turns left. Follow the track, keeping left at the next junction until you return to the river and back to the start.
Route Distance
3km (2 miles) approx. 45min walk.
Route Rating
Easy/Medium
Sturdy shoes recommended as the river path is narrow and uneven.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
05. River Farnack (II)
Route Overview
A flat walk following a section of the River Farnack which is easy to access from the School Wood Car Park beside Farr Primary School. 3.5miles from Gask House or an 8min drive.
The walk starts from the farm track to the left of the children's play park opposite Farr Primary school on the B851.
Just before the track crosses the river, take a track down a slope to the left and go through a small metal swing-gate. Follow the track keeping the river on your right and continue straight ahead through a small wood. At the far end of the track as you come out the small wood there is a picnic bench beside the river and a bench to sit and enjoy the location. From here continue to the left following a narrow track beside the river to a small wooden bridge. You can either cross the river at the wooden bridge and return on the opposite side of the river, by following the narrow track(s) . Alternatively continue beyond the bridge keeping the river on your right. The path continues along the riverside until it ends at the B851. Turn left and return to School Wood by the pavement on the B851.
Route Distance
3km (2miles) approx. 45min walk.
Route Rating
Easy/Medium
Sturdy shoes recommended as the river path is narrow and uneven.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
06. Towards Meall Beag
Route Overview
A more strenuous walk but with plenty of benches along the way.
Park at School Wood beside Farr Primary School. This is 3.5miles from Gask House or an 8min drive. Cross the B851 and take the farm track to the left of the children's play park. Follow the track over the River Farnack and continue straight on, passing Jim's Pond on the right, continue on to Inverarnie House on the left. Just beyond the house (slightly to the left) take a narrow tree-lined path which leads to a tall wooden gate. From here continue up hill follow the narrow track and enjoy the named benches, the views and Badger's Bridge. Continue on the narrow path until it starts descend (be careful as it is narrow and can be slippery) to a forestry track. You can either turn right at this point and return to School Wood via Inverarnie House. Alternatively, you can cross the forestry track, and take the gate on the lower side which returns along the River Farnack to School Wood.
Route Distance
3.5km (2.2miles) approx. 60min walk.
Height climbed ~50meters
Route Rating
Medium/Strenuous
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
07. Milton Wood
Route Overview
Four well maintained easy gravel paths of different lengths, one of which follows a part of the River Nairn, there are open views across the local landscape to the NW and there is an opportunity in the woodland sections to spot red squirrels. The walks are accessed from the car park opposite the 'Rennie McIntosh style' houses on the B851. The entrance to the car park is on a left hand bend and is not well signposted. Milton Wood is 5miles or an 11 min drive from Gask House.
Route Distance
Named paths ranging from 600m (10min walk) to 3km (approx. 45min walk).
Route Rating
Easy
Sturdy shoes recommended. There are a couple of short steep sections of path to reach the River Nairn.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer. Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
08. Falls of Foyers
Route Overview
Car parking is at the upper car park at Foyers, B852. Foyers is about 20miles from Gask House or a 40 mins drive.
This is a spectacular walk set in a dramatic gorge. The walk can be extended to the south shore of Loch Ness before returning by same route to the car park. The path is steep with many steps, there are specific vantage points of the waterfall about 10mins from the car park so for the less energetic you can still take the steps down to see the falls without going for the whole walk.
Route Distance
4.5km (2.7miles) to the shores of Loch Ness. 1.5-2 hours
Route Rating
Medium
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Maps
Number 416 South Sheet: OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden
09. Loch Bunachton
Route Overview
A flat walk on a forest track, ending at the beautiful shore of Loch Bunachton close to the hub of YouFish Scotland. At the right time of year it is possible to see Osprey hunting around this fishing loch. Return by same route. Car parking at the gated entrance to the forest track, this is 2 min drive from the cottage on the B861, or you can walk from the cottage.
Route Distance
Approx. 3km (2miles) 50mins one way
Route Rating
Easy
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer
10. Daviot Wood
Route Overview
There are a variety of different tracks to follow in Daviot Wood. Most have well managed surfaces that are reasonably flat and are also waymarked. Some tracks have open views to the surrounding countryside and it is also possible to spot red squirrels and roe deer. The closest car park to Gask House is at the back of Daviot Quarry (grid reference 721391) . There is also a car park off the A9 which is accessed from the Northbound carriageway north of Daviot.
Route Distance
Approx 3.5km (2.2miles) 1 hr
Route Rating
Easy paths and tracks.
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Maps
Number 416 North Sheet: OS Explorer . Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden.
11. Culbin Forest
Route Overview
Culbin Sands, Forest and Findhorn Bay is a huge area of coast and countryside and an SSSI (site of special scientific interest) in Moray, Scotland, stretching from just east of the town of Nairn eastwards to the village of Findhorn and its bay.
The forest is managed by The Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The tracks are flat and there is only one waymarked route to the tower at Hill 99 , but by following the numbered junction posts you can easily plan your own route. It is also possible to spot red squirrels and roe deer. Car parking at Wellhill Car Park or Cloddymoss Car Park.
Route Distance
Approx 5.7km (3.5miles) 1-2 hr for Hill 99 Trail
Route Rating
Easy paths and tracks.
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Here are some local routes that can be done without using a car
12. Stables Circuit
Route Description
From the guest car park in front of the house, go through the green gate and turn Right. Follow the track down towards a stable block. Turn Right at the stable block and follow the track to a farm gate. (If you have a dog, please put the dog on a lead as there might be loose horses or sheep on the track). Go through the gate ensuring you secure the gate behind you. The track goes downhill between 2 fields and can become muddy. Follow the track to the next gate . At this point you can return the way you came, or continue through the gate and take the gravel road in a straight line down to the tarmac road. This is the road to Daviot. Turn Right and follow the tarmac road to the Balnafoich cross roads. Turn Right onto the B861 and follow the road to Gask House. Take care on all the tarmac roads and be prepared to step onto the verge for passing traffic.
Things to look out for
Horses and sheep.
Raptors overhead from the nearby forest, (buzzards and red kite)
Open views of Strathnairn.
Route Distance
Approx 3km (2 miles) 45mins round trip
Route Rating
Easy paths and tracks.
Sturdy shoes recommended.
13. Tomfat Wood
Route Description
At the end of our driveway turn Right onto the B861. Beware of fast traffic and be prepared to step onto the verge.
Continue on the road up the hill, past the wooden bus shelter on the left and past Belforte House on the Right.
Continue on the road to the first forest track and gate on your Left. (This is the start of the track to Loch Bunachton). Opposite this track entrance is a fallen tree. There is a small track to the right of the big root which will lead you into Tomfat Wood. Follow this until you meet a slightly more defined track that runs perpendicular. Turn left. There is a circular route in Tomfat Wood or you can explore further.
Return to Gask House by the B861.
Things to look out for
Red squirrels, Red deer and Roe deer.
Woodland birds.
Wildflowers
Open views of Strathnairn from the far end of Tomfat Wood.
Route Distance
Approx 4.8km+ (3 miles+) 1 hour min round trip
Route Rating
Small rough tracks, can be muddy.
Sturdy shoes recommended .
14. Loch Bunachton
Route Description
See the description for walk No 09.
From Gask House turn right onto the B861, BEWARE OF TRAFFIC and be ready to step onto the verge.
Walk up the road, past the wooden bus stop on the left, continue on the road until you reach a forest track on the left. This is a flat walk on a forest track, ending at the beautiful shore of Loch Bunachton close to the hub of YouFish Scotland. At the right time of year it is possible to see Osprey hunting around this fishing loch. Return by same route.
Route Distance
Approx 3.5km (2.2miles) 60mins one way
Route Rating
Easy
Sturdy shoes recommended.
Maps
Number 416 : OS Explorer
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