Abriachan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abriachan
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 Abriachan
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| OS grid reference | NH557352 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode district | IV3 |
| Dialling code | 01463 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Abriachan (pronounced "uh-BREE-uh-khun"), also known as Obar Itheachan in Scottish Gaelic, is a small village in the Highland area of Scotland. It sits high up on a hill, looking over the western side of Loch Ness. This famous loch is known for its beautiful scenery and, of course, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster! Abriachan is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the city of Inverness.
Around 120 people live in Abriachan. There are no schools right in the village. So, children travel by bus to schools in Inverness, Dochgarroch, or Tomnacross for their education.
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Exploring Abriachan's Nature
Abriachan is a great place for nature lovers. It has a special garden nursery and a large forest area. Both offer fun ways to explore the Scottish outdoors.
Abriachan Garden Nursery
At the bottom of the Abriachan hill, you'll find the Abriachan Garden Nursery. This is where the Kilianan stream flows into Loch Ness. The nursery has a lovely woodland walk. You can also buy plants there. It's a peaceful spot to enjoy nature.
Abriachan Forest: A Community Gem
Abriachan Forest is a big area of trees and open hillsides. It covers about 536 hectares (that's over 1,300 acres!). For a long time, the Forestry Commission owned this land. The Forestry Commission is a government group that manages forests in the UK.
In 1998, something special happened. A local group called the Abriachan Forest Trust bought the forest. They paid £152,000 for it. This trust is a community group. They work to manage the forest for everyone to enjoy. They want to encourage people to use the forest for fun and learning.
The trust has created many paths and mountain bike trails. These trails wind all around the forest. The famous Great Glen Way long-distance path also goes through Abriachan Forest. It's a fantastic place for hiking and biking.
Abriachan's History and People
Abriachan has a rich history and has been home to some interesting people. From its old post office to famous residents, the village has a unique story.
The Old Post Office
The Abriachan post office first opened its doors on July 25, 1882. For many years, starting in the early 1960s, the post office was run by Katharine Stewart and her family. She even wrote a book about life in the Highlands and the postal services. Sadly, the post office closed on April 8, 2008.
Famous Faces from Abriachan
Several notable people have lived in Abriachan:
- John Somerville is a talented accordion player. He has played with popular bands like Croft No. Five and Box Club.
- Katharine Stewart was an author. She wrote a well-known book called "A Croft in the Hills." This book shared stories about living in the Scottish Highlands.
- John Barr is a famous shinty player. Shinty is a traditional Scottish sport. John Barr has played for his country in international games.
- Gregor Borland is an internationally recognized Scottish Fiddle player. He is also part of a folk trio called Other Roads.
