Walk Cycle Caledonian Canal: Tomnahurich Bridge to Muirtown Circuit Walk

Tomnahurich Bridge to Muirtown Circuit

Distance 3 miles
Time 1-1.5 hours

Map

This is an easy circular route suitable for walking or cycling. It is suitable to be 'added onto' the Muirtown Basin to Clachnaharry loop or Dochgarroch route.

Begin this walk from the Sports Centre car park, follow the Great Glen Way marker to the A82 and the Tomnahurich swing bridge. Cross over here and continue along the south side tow path. The path takes you pass the beautiful Tomnahurich Cemetery. There is plenty of birdlife along here is very good so look out for robins, chaffinches, blackbirds and blue tits and longtailed tits, mallards, oystercatchers and moorhens. Continue pass Caley Marina on the opposite bank, until the top of the Muirtown flight of locks comes into view. The four locks lower the canal into the Muirtown Basin. There are great views from here across the city, the Kessock Bridge and the Firth. Cross the canal at the swing bridge and returned back up the locks back towards Tomnahurich.

The route continues along a tarmac road through the Caley Marina until the road ends at a house and locked gates. Follow a clear but narrow track back to the canalside. Farther along this side, at the slipway, it is possible to cut up towards Craig Phadrig, the site of the ancient fort. You can see the wooded hill that rises on the west side of Inverness, and reveals glorious views over the Beauly Firth. The towpath is also joined by the Great Glen Way. Continue back towards the swing bridge and starting point.

Parking is available at the Bught Sports Centre or Whin Park

Points of interest:

Brahan Seer's 17th century prophecy that boats would one day sail the back of Tomnahurich Hill.

Tomnahurich Cemetary on Tomnahurich Hill - which means hill of the yews - is a rounded tree covered hillock on the outskirts of Inverness, the hill has a wealth of traditions associated with it, and it is famed as an abode of the fairies. Legend has it that the Fairy Queen held court here. One night she paid two wandering fiddlers to entertain her guests for an evening, she kept them for 200 years, though they imagined they had been playing for only one night.

Muirtown Locks - set of 4