Glen Affric.

Start. Dog Falls car park.

Route. Dog Falls car park - Dog Falls - River Affric - Coire Loch - Dog Falls car park.

Notes. “Everywhere is special in it's own way, but Glen Affric is more special than most”, these were the words printed in large letters across the leaflet Sue came wandering out of the Tourist Information with. “A classic landscape of perfectly placed lochs, mountains and woodland, an alluring mix of Scots pine, birch, oak and aspen, a perfect example of the Caledonian forest that once blanketed the whole of Scotland”. With credentials like this who could resist the drive inland, a chance to escape the Black Isle and check them out.

The drive through Strathglass from our home for the week in Beauly seemed to take ages, on reaching the power station at Cannich a narrow ribbon of tarmac lead into Glen Affric. Dog Falls car park marked our starting point, we opted to follow the red trail to Dog Falls, later extending the walk by switching to the yellow.

On leaving the car park our route crossed the narrow road before descending to Dog Falls View Point, it was the first time I've visited a view point and been unable to view the spectacle on show. Undaunted we followed the path down stream, after crossing a wooden foot-bridge we joined the yellow route. Through woodland alive with wild life we rambled, buzzards soured high above our heads, a red kite passed low over the tree tops, we glimpsed a distant roe deer, a ghost it was gone in an instant. “When you stand still, silent and patient, the glen is alive with fascinating sounds”, we did, it was, but we didn't have a clue what was making them. Onward we walked passed lilly fringed Coire Loch before ascending to a forest track, this track lined with colourful flora guided us back to the River Affric, Dog Falls car park and the patiently waiting car.

view route map.

home.

The River Affric looking east.

A disappointing view to Dog Falls.

I'm afraid that's the best I can do, the gorge cut by Dog Falls taken from the wooden foot-bridge mentioned in the text above.

This delightful path guided us through the remnants of the Caledonian forest that once blanketed the whole of Scotland.

A clearing in the forest gifts us with distant views.

Descending to Coire Loch with Carn Tarsuinn dominating the horizon.

Coire Loch a perfect place to sit quietly and let forest life pass you by.

Reflections, Coire Loch.

Above Dog Falls car park looking to Am Meallan and Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

River Affric a wonderful un spoilt highland river.

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