Photo by PaulT (Gunther Tschuch) · license: CC BY-SA 4.0
United Kingdom
Invergarry.
Castles
Invergarry is a small village in the heart of the Great Glen, set on the banks of Loch Oich roughly midway between Fort William and Inverness. The ruined Invergarry Castle, perched on Raven's Rock above the loch, was the seat of the MacDonalds of Glengarry for generations, and one of Bonnie Prince Charlie's last refuges during the 1745 Jacobite rising. Burned by Cromwell's troops in 1654 and again by the Duke of Cumberland after Culloden, it stands today as a striking ruin steeped in clan history. The adjacent Glengarry Castle Hotel occupies a Victorian mansion in the same woodland grounds. Invergarry is also a gateway to Knoydart, the remote peninsula only accessible on foot or by boat, and sits along the Great Glen Way walking and cycling route linking Fort William to Inverness.
Invergarry Castle ruinsJacobite historyGreat Glen gateway
What you'll do here
Things to do.
- 01Visit the ruins of Invergarry Castle on Raven's Rock above Loch Oich and read about the MacDonells of Glengarry
- 02Walk or cycle a section of the Great Glen Way, the long-distance route linking Fort William to Inverness
- 03Explore the Well of the Seven Heads monument on Loch Oich — a dark memorial to a 17th-century clan massacre
- 04Take a boat or kayak on Loch Oich for views of the wooded Great Glen from the water
- 05Day trip to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, around 25 miles north through the Great Glen
- 06Hike into the hills above the Great Glen for panoramic views of the lochs and surrounding landscape
- 07Drive or walk into the remote Glengarry forest for red squirrels, red deer, and ancient pine woodland
Within a short drive
Nearby attractions.
Urquhart Castle on Loch Nessa dramatic medieval fortress ruin overlooking the famous loch, 25 miles north
Fort Augustusa small village at the southern end of Loch Ness with a flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal, 6 miles north
Well of the Seven Headsa chilling 17th-century memorial on Loch Oich commemorating a clan revenge killing
Knoydart Peninsulaone of Britain's last true wildernesses, only accessible on foot or by ferry from Mallaig
Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monumentthe iconic Jacobite steam train viaduct and Bonnie Prince Charlie memorial, 30 miles south
A year in Invergarry
Monthly weather.
Best weatherLeast crowded
january5°/0°
Least crowded140mm
Cold and isolated. The ruins and loch are atmospheric in winter — for those who want solitude.
february6°/0°
Least crowded110mm
Cold with possible snow. Clear days offer stunning Highland views.
march8°/1°
100mm
Quieter with increasing light. Good for walking before the midge season begins.
april11°/3°
80mm
Mild spring. A good time to walk the Great Glen Way with fewer people.
may14°/6°
Best weather70mm
One of the best months. Long days and the midges not yet at their worst.
june16°/8°
Best weather80mm
Long warm evenings by the loch. The glen is green and the light is beautiful.
july18°/10°
90mm
Warmest month but midges can be heavy in still conditions. Still wonderful scenery.
august18°/10°
95mm
Active walking season. The Great Glen Way is well-used and the area is lively.
september15°/8°
Best weather110mm
Autumn colour arrives. Cooler and quieter — an excellent time to visit.
october11°/4°
140mm
Golden and cool. The woodland colour around Loch Oich is exceptional.
november7°/1°
Least crowded145mm
Very quiet. A real escape from the world in a remote Highland setting.
december5°/0°
140mm
Cold and frosty. The castle ruins against a winter sky are unforgettable.
Averages from the last decade · source: local weather records
Common questions
Asked & answered.
- In Invergarry, visitors can enjoy Visit the ruins of Invergarry Castle on Raven's Rock above Loch Oich and read about the MacDonells of Glengarry, Walk or cycle a section of the Great Glen Way, the long-distance route linking Fort William to Inverness, Explore the Well of the Seven Heads monument on Loch Oich — a dark memorial to a 17th-century clan massacre and Take a boat or kayak on Loch Oich for views of the wooded Great Glen from the water. this destination is ideal for slow travellers seeking authentic, unhurried experiences.
- The best months to visit Invergarry include: May — One of the best months. Long days and the midges not yet at their worst.. July — Warmest month but midges can be heavy in still conditions. Still wonderful scenery.. June — Long warm evenings by the loch. The glen is green and the light is beautiful.. Overall, summer is considered the best season.
- Invergarry offers castle stays and historic accommodations. Located in United Kingdom, it's ideal for travellers who prefer authentic, unhurried experiences over typical tourist itineraries.
- Near Invergarry, you can explore Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness — a dramatic medieval fortress ruin overlooking the famous loch, 25 miles north, Fort Augustus — a small village at the southern end of Loch Ness with a flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal, 6 miles north, Well of the Seven Heads — a chilling 17th-century memorial on Loch Oich commemorating a clan revenge killing and Knoydart Peninsula — one of Britain's last true wildernesses, only accessible on foot or by ferry from Mallaig. These nearby destinations complement a slow travel itinerary through , United Kingdom.