Fort Augustus is a small village at the southern end of Loch Ness on the Caledonian Canal. The Caledonian Canal, connecting Corpach near Fort William with Clachnaharry in Inverness, was completed in 1822. It is over 60 miles long, but more than two thirds of its length consists of three connected lochs - Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy.
Email Morag's Lodge enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in Fort Augustus
Welcome
to Morag's Lodge. Highland Hospitality at its best!
Just minutes walk from the bustling village of Fort Augustus on Loch Ness, Morag's Lodge offers award-winning, four-star quality budget hostel accommodation for independent travellers, families and backpackers.
· Friendly, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
· Twins, doubles, triples, quads, dorms
· Lively bar with open fire and beer garden
· Bike hire, free wi-fi and Wii
· Self-catering kitchen
· Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals available
· On the Great Glen Way
Morag's Lodge Accommodation
Morag's quality backpacker Hostel offers a range of cheap accommodation
to suit your needs and budget, from 4 and 6-bedded dorms to twins and
doubles.
All have huge comfy beds and most rooms have en-suite facilities and
superb showers.
Morag's Lodge Facilities
As well as the best hostel accommodation around we have everything you
need for a great stay in the heart of the Highlands .
There is a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, dining room, TV lounge
and bar with open fire and regular live music. Breakfast, packed lunches
and dinner are also available.
Drying Room:
For outdoor enthusiasts we have a drying room and secure cycle storage.
Our friendly and active team can offer advice on local walks and cycle
routes. The Great Glen Way passes the end of the driveway, we are an ideal
stopover for the night.
Views:
Overlooking the charming Highland village of Fort Augustus and the banks
of Loch Ness. Morag's Lodge is a great base for exploring this stunning
area.
"People Power" Initiative:
In an effort to conserve and promote the special surrounding environment,
Morag's aims to inspire people to explore and engage with the landscape,
whilst using their own power, and are offering discounts to those who
use 'pedal power', 'paddle power' or 'plodding power' to reach the award-winning
hostel, believing you should not just see Scotland, but DO Scotland! Quote
'People Power' on arrival to get £1 off accommodation per person.
Other great reasons to stay with us:
- Visit Scotland 4 Star Hostel
- SYHA Affiliate Hostel
- Proud member of Europe's Famous Hostels
- Green Tourism Silver Award
- Hospitality Assured - Short listed for 'Team of the Year 2011' by the
Institute of Hospitality
Out & About in Fort Augustus:
What to do in the Local Area:
Morags Lodge provides cheap hostel accommodation in Fort Augustus where
backpackers and family groups on a budget will find much to see and do.
Fort Augustus is situated at the southern end of Loch Ness and is a great
base for exploring the magnificent Great Glen, which runs from Fort William
to Inverness.
Morag’s Bike Hire:
Get out there and explore the local area by bike. We can advise on some
great bike routes & tracks. Our bikes are 2008 Giant Yukons. All are
equipped with front suspension and disk brakes. We offer great value day,
half day and evening rates with great discounts if your staying at the
hostel. Maps and helmets included in the hire cost
Local Attractions:
Fort Augustus is one of the most charming towns in the Highlands, set
on the banks of Loch Ness. Fort Augustus is named after the infamous Duke
of Cumberland (Butcher Cumberland as he was called by the Scots after
Culloden) and the town is home to the famous Caledonian Canal.
Caledonian Canal:
The Canal was built in the early 1800s to link the North Sea and the Atlantic,
removing the need for shipping to sail around Scotland's dangerous north
East coast. Within the village itself is an impressive flight of locks,
and here in the town the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre offers an interesting
display on the history and operation of the canal.
Nessie!
Why not relax by the Loch and try some Nessie spotting or enjoy a Loch
Ness cruise? Find out about the history of the Loch Ness Monster at one
of the 2 rival monster exhibitions at Drumnadrochit!
Urquhart Castle:
Urquhart Castle is an impressive historic ruin enjoying a stunning location
on the banks of Loch Ness. It was an important medieval fortress, guarding
the entrance to the Great Glen from the 13th Century and playing a major
role in 500 years of violent Scottish history.
Clansman Centre
Take a walk or cycle through the network of paths around the village.
Visit the Clansman Centre to find out about Highland life in the 17th
Century.
Local Activities
Outdoor Activities:
Get out there! There is huge choice of fantastic hillwalking, mountain
biking, cycling and watersports available locally.
Explore the Great Glen Way and the famous Corrieyairack Pass. In winter
a range of snowsports including skiing and boarding are available at Nevis
Range (40 mins' drive) by Ben Nevis. Creag Meagaidh and the Glen Sheil
peaks are both within easy striking distance of the hostel.
Corrieyairack Pass:
For serious mountain bikers and walkers, the classic Corrieyairack pass
is accessible from Fort Augustus. This demanding route (40 km) follows
General Wade's military road, built in 1731, and its famous zigzags across
the Monadhliath Mountains between Fort Augustus and Laggan (south of Newtonmore).
Day Trips:
Glen Affric (drivetime 40 mins)
Glen Affric is one of Scotland 's most picturesque glens, and home to
one of the largest remains of ancient pinewood forests with spectacular
loch and mountain views and numerous opportunities for spotting wildlife.
Eilean Donan Castle (drivetime 1 hour)
Perhaps the most photographed and romantic castle in Scotland, Eilean
Donan is a wonderful castle on Loch Duich surrounded by mountains and
the hereditary seat for Clan MacRae since the 16th Century. Featured in
Hollywood blockbusters such as Highlander and James Bond (the World is
Not Enough).
Isle of Skye (drivetime 1 hour 20 mins)
The magical Isle of Skye is a land of legend, myth and mystery. Stunning
mountains, castles and a unique mixture of Viking and Celtic culture.
With stunning coastal views, keep your eye out for whales, dolphins, sharks
and seals.
Inverness (drivetime 45 mins)
The capital of of the highlands is well worth a visit. visit Fort George
-for a slice of Scottish military history (open all year) or go Dolphin
spotting on the Moray Firth.
Culloden (drivetime 1 hour)
Scene of the infamous battle in 1746 which saw Bonnie Prince Charlie's
Jacobite rebellion finally crushed. Over 1200 highlanders were slaughtered,
full of atmosphere, and a place for reflection.
Ben Nevis (drivetime 40 mins)
Britain's Highest Mountain stands at 4406ft (1344m). It is popular with
both walkers in climbers and its summit is not be underestimated. Mighty
Ben Nevis is covered in cloud on approximately 300 days of the year.
Glencoe (drivetime 1 hour 30 mins)
One of the most dramatic sites in the Scottish Highlands and scene of
the infamous massacre in 1692. Glencoe is a mystical and magical place.
Surrounded by towering peaks, with its rich and bloody history, it will
leave a lasting impression.
How to Find Morags Hostel:
By Car/Bike
Fort Augustus is on the A82 half away along the Great Glen. (Inverness
33 miles, Fort William 31 miles). From the petrol station in the village
turn north towards Inverness. Just past the car park on the left go up
the steep hill, Bunoich Brae and we are 100 metres further on the left,
you will see our hostel accommodation sign at the entrance.
For travel directions from home to anywhere in Britain, try the AA Routeplanner.
By Bus
There are daily bus services between Fort William and Inverness. The bus
stop is 300m from Morags lodge hostel in Fort Augustus. Timetable information
available at CityLink.
By Train
The nearest train stations are in Fort William (32miles) and Inverness
(33 miles).Timetable information available at Scotrail.
By Air
The nearest airport is Inverness Airport (43 miles). Operators to this
airport include Easyjet, BMI, Eastern Airways, British Airways, and Highland
Airways.
Email Morag's Lodge enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
