Foyers - set on the military road built by General George Wade and on the banks of Loch Ness

Most visitors to (or passers-by) Loch Ness take the busier road along the northern bank between Inverness and Fort Augustus. However, the loch’s southern shore is a hidden gem, lined with natural woodland allowing glimpses of the loch. The largest settlement on this side is Foyers, a village of under 300 situated where the River Foyers flows into the loch. The area is surrounded with pretty woodland walks, mountain biking tracks and wildlife.

A short (2 hour) but spectacular walk leads you from the village to the Falls of Foyers, tumbling down a dramatic gorge, before a stroll down the bank of Loch Ness and ending at a café. The falls are surrounded by pretty walks through pine woodland set high above the Loch, affording spectacular views for such a short walk.

Foyers is popular with cyclists and mountain bikers who come to enjoy the trails through the area’s pretty natural pine woods, all within easy reach of neighbouring Inverness.

Foyers may be set on the banks of Scotland’s most famous loch, but don’t miss a short hop over to neighbouring Loch Mhor – or ‘the big loch’. This waterbody was in fact once two lochs – Loch Garth in the southwest and Loch Farraline in the northeast – before the water level was raised for a hydroelectric scheme. A tributary of this loch, the River E, claims one of the shortest place names in the world!

Ospreys are known to nest and breed in the area in the summer, so keep an eye out on both Loch Ness and Loch Mhor for these spectacular birds!

For anyone looking for a holiday souvenir or gift, there is a ‘crafty bothy’ in the village selling locally-made arts and crafts.

With the seclusion and peace that Foyers provides, it’s easy to forget that you’re just 40 minutes from Inverness! This means that the area makes a very accessible day trip if you’re staying in the Highlands’ capital, or if you want to stay somewhere peaceful but have the benefit of good transport links and shops close by.