Glen Urquhart facts for kids

Glenurquhart, also known as Glen Urquhart, is a beautiful valley in Scotland. It's located west of a village called Drumnadrochit in the Highland area. The name "Glenurquhart" comes from the Scottish Gaelic "Gleann Urchadain."

Where is Glenurquhart?

Glenurquhart stretches from Loch Ness and Urquhart Bay in the east. It goes all the way to Corrimony and beyond in the west. The River Enrick flows through the valley, even passing through a small lake called Loch Meiklie.

You can find the villages of Balnain and Balbeg about 5 miles further up the glen.

A Look at History

Long ago, Glenurquhart was part of the lands owned by a group of people called the Grants of Glenmoriston. For most of its history, the lands of the Frasers were located to the north of the glen.

Weather and Climate

The weather in Glenurquhart changes with the seasons. Spring and summer are usually warm and sunny. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and a fair amount of rain. Winter is very cold and often has snow, sometimes even blizzards.

In November 2010, strong winds caused some problems. Trees fell, and a landslip happened near Drumnadrochit. This made the police put speed limits on bridges along the A82 road for safety.

Things to See and Do

Glenurquhart offers a mix of natural beauty and activities.

Forests and Woodlands

The glen has different types of forests. Some areas have planted conifer trees, while others have native broadleaved trees like birch. The hills on the south side of the glen are mostly used for growing trees for wood, managed by the Forestry Commission. On the other side, you'll find a mix of deciduous trees, farmland, and some commercial forests.

You can enjoy marked walking trails in Craigmonie woodland, which is close to Drumnadrochit. There's also a network of forest roads throughout the glen. These roads are great for walking, cycling, and horse-riding.

Wildlife and Nature

Deer are common in the area. People from all over the world visit Glenurquhart to take part in deer stalking. This is a popular outdoor activity and a cultural experience here.

Ancient Sites

At Corrimony, you can visit a special ancient burial site called a chambered cairn. It's part of a group of similar sites known as the Clava group of cairns. These are very old stone structures.

Local Sports

Glenurquhart has its own local sports team. The shinty team is called Glenurquhart Shinty Club. Shinty is a traditional Scottish sport played with sticks and a ball.

Images for kids

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  A picture of Balnain in 1996.

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  A picture of the forests above Balnain in 1999.

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  4 images of Drumnadrochit in 1998.

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  4 images of Drumnadrochit in 1998. The school is top right.