This calm Highland village along Loch Ness has a 19th-century Benedictine abbey and a series of canal locks where boats travel through the Caledonian Canal.
Fort Augustus sits at the southern tip of Loch Ness, where the Caledonian Canal meets the lake through a series of five locks. In this small Highland village of 646 residents, you can watch boats climb 40 feet through the canal's staircase locks, handle 17th-century weapons at the Clansman Centre, or take a speedboat trip across Loch Ness. Many cyclists and walkers stop here while traveling the Great Glen Way, a 79-mile trail connecting Fort William to Inverness.
Historical Background
The village began as Kiliwhimin, named after Saint Cummein who built a church here. After the 1715 Jacobite Rising, the British government constructed a fort, naming it after Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. The fort was converted into a Benedictine Abbey in 1876, and while the monks left in 1998, the abbey buildings now function as luxury accommodations.
Caledonian Canal Locks
The center of Fort Augustus revolves around its five-lock system, where boats climb or descend 40 feet between the canal and Loch Ness. You can watch vessels navigate through each lock chamber, which takes about 30 minutes per boat. Summer sees the most activity, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM. The Canal Centre explains the 1822 construction through working models and original engineering tools.
Activities on Loch Ness
From Fort Augustus pier, you can take a 45-minute speedboat ride to Urquhart Castle, or join a 2-hour canoe tour along the shoreline. Local guides lead morning kayaking sessions that explore the quiet bays and inlets near the village. The trips run daily from April to October, weather permitting.
Walking and Cycling Routes
The Great Glen Way runs through Fort Augustus's main street. From the village center, you can walk north along the loch's western shore to Invermoriston (7 miles) or south to Aberchalder (4 miles). The canal towpath creates a flat, easy walk with benches every half mile. Local bike shops rent mountain bikes and e-bikes for exploring the Great Glen Way or the single-track roads around the village.
Day Trips from Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus works well as a starting point for exploring nearby sites. Urquhart Castle is 23 miles north along Loch Ness, while Fort William sits 32 miles south. Eilean Donan Castle is 44 miles west, accessible via the A87 road that winds through the mountains of Kintail. Each destination takes about an hour to reach by car.
