Near Inverness, Highland

Reelig Glen

Ancient woodland

Place photograph

7.6

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandValleyRiversideWalkersFamiliesPhotographersWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.6

A steep-sided Highland glen shelters Douglas firs over 65 metres tall, as well as Britain’s tallest larch and lime trees. A stone bridge, said to have been modelled by James Baillie Fraser on Italy’s Ravenna Gorge, crosses the scene.

The appeal here is unusually tangible: towering trees crowd a sheltered gorge, and the Moniack Burn gives a short woodland circuit a strong sense of place. Come for the scale of the trees and look closely at the bridge and burn rather than treating this as just another forest walk.

Peaceful · Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

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Near Inverness, Highland

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The experience

Follow the short circular woodland walk beside the Moniack Burn, cross the stream by the bridge and return through the trees. Allow around an hour for the loop, longer if you want to linger beneath the tall trees. Paths may be muddy; check current conditions.

Things to do

Walk the Reelig Glen circular

Take the loop beside the Moniack Burn, cross the stream by a bridge and return along the other side. The route is described as an easy, short walk, with clear paths; conditions may be muddy.

0.5–1 hour

Look up at the tallest trees

Seek out the towering Douglas firs and the larch and lime trees highlighted by Forestry and Land Scotland. The steep-sided gorge provides their sheltered setting.

Part of the walk

Pause at the stone bridge

Take in the bridge in its gorge setting. Forestry and Land Scotland says James Baillie Fraser may have modelled it on Ravenna Gorge in Italy.

10–15 minutes

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

Quick Escape: the burn and tall trees

01
Follow the Reelig Glen circular route beside the Moniack Burn.
02
Cross the stream by the bridge and return along the other side.
03
Pause to look up at the tall trees and take in the sheltered gorge.

Half day · Allow 2–3 hours

Make a half day of it: explore the glen slowly

01
Walk the short circular route along the Moniack Burn.
02
Spend time at the bridge and look for the tallest trees identified by Forestry and Land Scotland.
03
If you want a longer outing, check current Forestry and Land Scotland trail information for options to extend your walk.

Verified history

The Fraser family owned the area for more than 500 years before selling it in 1949. Forestry and Land Scotland says Scottish explorer James Baillie Fraser (1783–1856) may have planted the biggest trees and modelled the stone bridge on Ravenna Gorge in Italy. The planting attribution is presented as a possibility, not a certainty.

Hidden details

The bridge’s Italian inspiration — Forestry and Land Scotland connects the stone bridge with James Baillie Fraser’s travels, saying he modelled it after Ravenna Gorge. The source frames this as reported history, not a visitor-visible inscription or independently verified attribution.

Britain’s tallest larch and lime — The official forest guide identifies a larch and a lime tree here as Britain’s tallest. Their exact locations are not specified in the supplied evidence, so ask locally or check current trail information rather than relying on an invented waypoint.

When to go

September · October · A clear morning for a quiet, unhurried walk; no specific time is guaranteed to be quiet.

The supplied sources describe the walk and trees but do not establish a best season. Autumn is a reasonable choice for seasonal colour, while the tall trees and gorge can be appreciated year-round.

Expect possible muddy path sections according to the supplied trail listing. Check current weather, trail conditions and Forestry and Land Scotland alerts before setting out.

The route

stiles: Check before visiting
surface: Clear paths; muddy sections may occur.
distance: 1 mile
duration: 0.5–1 hour
difficulty: Easy
waymarking: Check before visiting
route shape: Loop
start point: Reelig Glen; confirm the current trail start with Forestry and Land Scotland.
parking start: The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. Confirm current parking and route access before travelling.

Moniack Burn
Woodland gorge
Bridge crossing
Tall Douglas firs and notable larch and lime trees

Worth pairing with

Beauly

Visit Inverness Loch Ness suggests pairing Reelig Glen with Beauly for independent shops and a coffee stop; check opening times and availability before travelling.

What to look for

Look up: Forestry and Land Scotland describes Douglas firs here as over 65 metres tall, alongside Britain’s tallest larch and lime tree. Notice how the steep gorge shelters the trees, then pause at the stone bridge over the burn.

The story

Fraser family ownership; James Baillie Fraser and the stone bridge inspired by Ravenna Gorge.

Best time to go

Year-round; autumn brings seasonal colour, while the trees and burn are the enduring draw.

Choose a clear, quiet morning for an unhurried walk and a better chance to appreciate the scale of the trees. Autumn is a good choice for seasonal colour.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Families · Photographers · Wildlife lovers

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Inverness IV5 7PL

Website

forestryandland.gov.scot

Google rating

4.8 · 415 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A woodland destination managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. Check current access notices and conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park; confirm current parking arrangements and access before travelling.

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current reserve guidance and on-site signage before visiting with a dog.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. It does not establish the accessibility of the trails; check route conditions with Forestry and Land Scotland before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Stream — the Moniack Burn. Swimming or paddling permission is not established; do not assume either is allowed.