This day is set aside for the fisherman or the serious hiker.

Munros are the separate Scottish mountains over 3000 feet. It is the goal for "munro bashers" to climb every munro in Scotland. The four closest munros to Taychreggan are Ben Cruachan, Stob Diamnh (access points the Falls of Cruachan) and Beinn a Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich (access point Drishaig). Approximate climbing time is 5-8 hours.

Loch Awe is the longest freshwater loch in Scotland and is noted for its fishing opportunities. Mounted in Taychreggan's bar is the largest brown trout ever caught in Britain. Loch Awe also contains Rainbow Trout, Char, Perch and Pick. The season for all species except Pike (Pike is year-round) is from 15th March until 6 October. The best trout fishing is from March until the middle of May, the best Pike fishing is from May until October. Taychreggan can get arrange the necessary permits. You can also hire from them a boat, a boat & motor, or a boat, motor and ghillie (fishing guide).

TRAVEL DAY

Drive from Taychreggan Hotel to Culloden House Hotel, Inverness The distance is 120 miles, approximately 2 - 3 hours, not including stops.

Directions: From Taychreggan Hotel, retrace your way back up the single-track road. B845 heading towards Taynuilt. At Taynuilt, turn left onto A85 towards Connel and Oban. Just past Connel, turn right onto the Connel Bridge, heading north on the A828 towards Ballachullish. Several miles before Ballachulish, you will come to the A82, go left towards Ft. William or turn right, taking a short side trip to Glencoe.

Sidetrip to Glencoe

Visit wild and beautiful Glencoe, site of the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells under orders of King William III. Clan massacres were not unheard of, but this one was notorious because the Highland code of honor--that no harm come to or from house guests-was broken when soldiers rose up in the middle of the night to slay their sleeping hosts. Some MacDonalds escaped outside only to die in the snowy mountains, while others survived to "tell the tale". On a deep, dark misty day one can still imagine this sorrowful event.

News of it caused a scandal in London's halls of government and a lingering bitterness between the two clans lasted well into the 20th century. To this day the Campbell clan refers to the aftermath as the "curse of Glencoe".

Geologically, the Glencoe hills are significant as an example of a volcano collapsing on itself during a series of violent eruptions.

National Trust runs the Glencoe Visitor Centre, located about two miles past the village of Glencoe. There are fine walking and hiking trails here within the 14,000 acres in the Trust's care, including walks to sites involved in the massacre. The Centre has a video on the area's history and information on walks. Open March through October. T: 01-855-811507 (summer) or 01-855-811729. After visiting Glencoe, retrace your steps on the A82, heading back north towards Ft. William.

Fort William and its Environs

Fort William sits on the shore of Loch Linnhe at the bottom of the Great Glen, immortalized in many a famous Scottish poem, tale and epic Adventure. The Great Glen is a geographical fault which, 400 million years ago, cut the Highlands from Inverness to Ft. William. We will be following the Great Glen on our journey to Inverness.

Fort William is best known for dramatic Ben Nevis, which looms over the town and provides some of the most exceptional hiking in Britain. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the land at 4,406 feet. There is a challenging trail for serious hikers that takes 8 hours to climb and return. You can also hike a small bit of the trail, of course, or, on foggy days, take a walk through Glen Nevis, which is much flatter and still beautiful. Alternatively, go just a few miles from town to Torlundy and catch the gondola for the easiest access to the mountain. There is a restaurant and ski area at the top of the lift. And, if you just prefer to be in the car, there is also a small road that winds into the majestic wilds of Glen Nevis at the foot of the mountain. If you do hike be sure to pick up good hiking maps in town at the tourist center. Weather can change very quickly and dramatically in the Highlands so go prepared!

In 1690, King William III commanded that a stone fortress be built at what is now the lovely, highland town of Fort William. The fort was destroyed in the 19th century but the arrival of the railways secured the development of the town. In town, don't miss the West Highland Museum which offers interesting displays on Highland history and, of course, on the Highland Uprising of 1745. The old part of town is delightful for shopping, wandering along the water's edge, and enjoying lunch at a local, seafood restaurant.

Continuing on your journey up the A82 towards Inverness, shortly past Ft. William you will come to an intersection with A830. If time permits, you may wish to take a short sidetrip to your left on A830 to the Glenfinnan Monument, located at the head of pretty Loch Shiel.

Glenfinnan Monument. The monument marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie first raised his standard, declaring open war against the "Elector of Hanover", King George II, and rallied the clans in an attempt to reinstate his family to the British Throne. Erected by Alexander MacDonald, the monument commemorates "the generous zeal, the undaunted bravery and the inviolable fidelity of his forefathers, and the rest of those who fought and bled in that arduous enterprise."

The National Trust Visitor Center has an audiovisual programme on the prince's campaign from Glenfinna to Derby to Culloden. Open year round. Tel: (0)8-457-484950.

Directions from Glenfinnan: Retrace your steps on the A830, turning left at the A82, signposted Inverness.

Heading north on A82, you will be driving alongside Loch Ness, home of the monster. If you have time, you may wish to stop at Urquhart Castle near Drumnadrochit, where most of the monster sightings have been reported. If not, we are getting close to our next night's lodging and it will be easy enough to come back here again.

Urquhart Castle, once one of Scotland's biggest castles, is now an impressive ruin with a dramatic and commanding view over Loch Ness. Open year round. T: (0)1-456-450551.

Directions from Urquhart Castle to Culloden House: Continue your trip north on A82 to Inverness. You will come to a roundabout sign-posted A9 South (Perth/Aberdeen). From the A9 take the A96 (Aberdeen/Nairn/Airport) turnoff; straight over the first roundabout and take the next right to Culloden/Smithton; drive through two sets of traffic lights; then take the next left at the Barn Church. Proceed 100 meters down this drive to the Culloden House entrance.

Accommodation

Culloden House Hotel Inverness, Scotland IV2 7BZ Int'l Tel: +44 1463 790461 UK Tel: (0)1463 790461 www.cullodenhouse.co.uk email: info@cullodenhouse.co.uk

Inverness is known as the unofficial "Capital of the Highlands" and Culloden House has been, for centuries, the most splendid house in the region. Parts of this house date back over 400 years. It was once a castle and is probably most famous for its service to the ill-fated Bonnie Prince Charlie. Here, the prince made his headquarters before his final battle against Government forces at Culloden Battlefield just a mile or so from the house.

Today, Culloden is a breathtaking country house. It makes a captivating first impression to the weary traveler who makes the corner and comes around the trees to the circular drive. The house is almost completely covered in magnificent ivy that is green in the spring and a brilliant red in the fall. The effect is stunning.

But there is much more to Culloden House than this dramatic beginning. For instance, there are 40 acres of parkland and woodland, a lyrical pond draped with leafy trees, an outdoor tennis court, indoor sauna and outstanding cuisine served in an elegant, blue dining room that looks as if it should contain Josiah Wedgwood's collection. The large public rooms showcase gorgeous ceilings, chandeliers and woodwork. The feeling is one of subdued wealth; comfortable yet elegant, not ostentatious or pompous. Guests feel at home wandering the halls in their robes on the way to and from the sauna, in casual clothes or in black tie. Most importantly, Culloden House, as it has done for centuries, makes travelers feel at home.