Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus is a Village 31 miles north of Fort William, 34 miles south of Inverness, in the Great Glen.

Fort Augustus is popular for Boat Trips on Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal Centre for information on the Canal, the Clansman Centre that shows Clan living conditions and clothing from the 1600s, and Walking on the Great Glen Way.

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The top images show the centre of Fort Augustus with the Caledonian Canal Locks running through the middle of the Village with Cafes and Diners all around, one of the most scenic Villages in Scotland.

Boat Trips on Loch Ness are the top attraction, on Cruise Boats or fast RIBs. The Cruise Boats have Sonar that search for the Loch Ness Monster.

The Caledonian Canal Centre is in the Village centre with a Heritage Centre giving information on the Canal, Shop selling local produce, and Cafe.

The Clansman Centre is in the Village centre next to the Tour Boats booking office. This is a former 1800s School, converted to a Museum showing living conditions of Clans in the 1600s.

Fort Augustus Abbey is the most prominent building in the Village, completed in 1880 for John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, as he attempted to restore Monasteries in Scotland. The Abbey was bought in the early 2,000s to be converted to Apartments. You can only view the Abbey from the Canal Walk. This is the site of the old Fort from where the Village takes its name.

The 79 mile (126 km) Great Glen Way walking route from Fort William to Inverness passes through Fort Augustus.

The top section on the Great Glen Way is the High Route from Fort Augustus north to Invermoriston, 7.5 miles / 12km with great views over Loch Ness. Web Page. This is a good walk out and back to Fort Augustus, or walk out and bus back.

The Great Glen Canoe Trail is also becoming popular with people paddling between Fort William and Inverness.

Fort Augustus History

The original name for the Village was Kiliwhimin.

1714 - Queen Anne Stuart died without leaving an heir. This led to the English Parliament choosing her German cousin George to become King of Britain.

1715 - the second Jacobite Rising began with many Scots fighting to have James Francis Edward Stuart become King in place of George I. The English Government opposed Stuart, claiming he was a Catholic that was a good friend of their enemy France.

1716 - Stuart fled to France where he lived in exile, ending that Rising.

1729 - 1742 - General Wade built a Fort here named Fort Augustus, after Prince William Augustus, who later became Duke of Cumberland. The Duke was known for his brutal treatment of Highlanders during the last Jacobite Rising.

The Village that grew around the Fort took on the name Fort Augustus.

Many Forts, Military Roads, and Bridges were built throughout Scotland at that time to try and prevent any more Jacobite Risings.

1746 March - Fort Augustus was captured by the Jacobite's during the Third Rising.

1746 April - advancing Government Troops led to the Jacobite's moving north to Inverness where the Battle of Culloden took place in that month, last Jacobite battle, ending with the Jacobite's defeated by Government Troops.

1822 - the Caledonian Canal was completed, linking Fort William and Inverness with 60 miles / 97 km of waterways.

1867 - the Fort was sold to the Lovat family.

1876 - the land with the remains of the Fort were used to build the Benedictine, Fort Augustus Abbey. A School was opened at the Abbey some time later.

1993 - the School at Fort Augustus Abbey was closed.

1994 - the Abbey was used as a Heritage Centre in an attempt to fund its upkeep.

1998 - the Monks abandoned the Abbey with the Lovat family selling it to Terry Nutkins.

2000s - Fort Augustus Abbey was converted to apartments, some of which can be rented for holidays.

2018 - the Caledonian Canal Centre was moved to a new building in the Village centre.

Today - the Village has a large car park on its northwest side that holds many cars and tour buses.

Although Boat Tours have been popular for years, fast RIBs have now began operating, allowing more adventurous tours of Loch Ness.