Three short waymarked trails run through the Fassfern Estate. Another point of interest is the archaeological evidence at Drumsallie: the remains of a former settlement and other features in the landscape have been preserved there. This gives you two themes to consider when planning your trip: a walk through forest, moorland and river scenery, or a closer look at preserved traces of earlier settlement.

Walking through forest and moorland

The Fassfern Trail passes through deciduous woodland, coniferous woodland and moorland. The deciduous and coniferous woodland sections already offer contrasting landscapes, while the moorland adds another landscape type. If you like to take in your surroundings on a walk, this combination offers several specific points of interest: deciduous woodland, coniferous woodland and moorland can each be experienced as distinct landscape types.

At first, the Fassfern Trail runs parallel to the River Beul Ath nan Dearcag, which flows over a series of small waterfalls. Later, the trail crosses the same river via a wooden bridge. The river therefore accompanies the route before the trail crosses it at the bridge. The Fassfern Trail also offers good views across Loch Eil. The river shapes the route, while Loch Eil provides a scenic outlook.

Ancient oaks along the Fassfern Trail are richly covered with epiphytic mosses, lichens and ferns. Here, “epiphytic” describes how they grow: the mosses, lichens and ferns grow on the oaks. This means your walk alternates between taking in the landscape and looking more closely at individual trees. The habitat along the trail is also home to the butterfly Carterocephalus palaemon. It is globally threatened and restricted to a few sites in western Scotland. For nature enthusiasts, the trail thus leads from landscape features to a specific conservation topic.

Finding your way from the car park

An information board at the Fassfern car park describes three short waymarked trails. If you would like to choose between them on site, you can use this overview for guidance. There are also picnic benches and a barbecue area in the car park. If an outdoor break suits your outing, these facilities are worth factoring into your plans.

Archaeological traces at Drumsallie

At Drumsallie, the remains of longhouses and enclosures from a former settlement have been preserved north of the current path. Scattered clearance cairns are visible on a flat area of ground north of an unnamed stream that flows into the River Fionnlighe. Two woodland enclosures are also preserved there in fragmentary form. Both location and state of preservation help you understand the site: the cairns are visible only in scattered places, while the woodland enclosures survive in fragments. The settlement remains, individual cairns and partially preserved enclosures therefore differ both in form and in how they can be recognised in the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Brora, Mybster, Castletown, Farr, Golspie, Forsinard, Cromarty, Ardgay

For the broader travel overview: Highland.