Falls of Foyers

From the car park, cross the B852 to follow the path which leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Lower Falls of Foyers. When the river is in full spate, it is one of the most magnificent scenes in the Highlands; the river plunges 90 feet down a solid cliff face into a deep, black cauldron far below. The Gaelic name for the falls is 'Eass na Smudh' which means 'the waterfall of smoke', a reference to its billowing plumes of spray.

The steep woodland slopes around the falls are rich in their diversity of plant life, and offer ideal browsing for a small resident population of feral goats. They began running wild many centuries ago, and gradually acquired long shaggy coats, which range in colour from smoky grey to white, brown and black. The tribe of nannies is joined by one or two billies for the autumn rut, with kids being born throughout early spring.

The track climbs the rugged glen to a small footbridge, then turns left along the cliff edge. The view across the deeply wooded ravine is dramatic, and once earned the falls a reputation as the most magnificent in Britain. The cliff face is a dense tangle of shrubs, luxuriating in the constant clouds of spray. Deep purple heather survives on the poor acid soils.

A woodland path, thickly carpeted with pine needles and cones, leads down to Lower Foyers. One of the village's claims to fame is as the first British producer of aluminum. This fact also accounts for the reduced volume of water cascading down the falls over the last century. Britain's first hydro electric scheme was installed here in 1896 to supply power for the aluminum. works at the mouth of the river.

The aluminum. works were closed in 1967 though the power station element of the plant was then purchased by Scotland's Hydro Board and redeveloped. At one time a salmon hatchery was operating in the old aluminum. plant though now the village is a centre for leisure and adventure activities. Also in the village, the burial ground has some interesting characters at rest, including members of the prominent Frasers family. Another former laird here was Lord Lovat, the clan chief beheaded in London for his part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. He was the last British peer to meet such a fate.

From Foyers the route enters Farigaig Forest. Douglas fir, larch, Norway spruce and sitka spruce provide commercial timber in the forest while areas of ancient, semi natural woodland have been preserved, and as such are a designated an SSSI - site of special scientific interest. The woods are carpeted with sphagnum moss, and the trees are hung with a dense mantle of lichens.

Though gaps in the trees, you can look down along the length of Loch Ness. In winter snow capped purple mountains are reflected in diamond sharp images on the still surface. The loch, more than 21 miles long and over 700 feet deep, has long been the source of legend, including its famous monster. The enfolding glens and mountains provide a timeless backdrop to stories of Highland kings, chieftains, saints, witches and warriors.

The path continues around the forest to Foyers Bridge, where the river spills down a boulder strewn ravine. Hawthorn, gorse and broom cling to crevices in the rock overhanging the riverbank. These beautiful woodland braes bring to mind one of the most enduring examples of Scottish folklore: 'kissing's out of season when the gorse is out of bloom'. Regardless of the time of year, you will be sure to find a bright yellow flower on the gorse - if you look hard enough.

The rowan thrives in this harsh environment. Legend has it that its bright red berries, falling into a pool, were swallowed by an underwater serpent and gave rise to the red spotted salmon of Scottish rivers. A short climb takes you up the road, which leads you back to the start.