How do I actually get to Loch Beoraid?

You have to hike about nine miles from the end of the road at Loch Arkaig's western tip, following a rough track along the River Pean into Glen Pean. There are no roads or shortcuts, so the approach is a full-day walk.

Can I actually see Prince Charlie’s Cave?

The cave is on the north shore above the loch and can be reached by a short scramble from the path. It’s small, basic, and its exact historic authenticity is debated, but you can stand where tradition places it.

When is the best time of year to attempt the Loch Beoraid walk?

Late spring to early autumn is ideal, when daylight is long and weather is relatively milder. Winter brings ice, snow and much shorter days, making the route far riskier.

Not Just Loch Ness

Loch Beoraid and Prince Charlie's Cave: When a Fugitive Needed Water and a Hiding Place in the Same Glen

After Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie hid in a cave above Loch Beoraid in Glen Pean for several days while government troops searched the hills. The loch sits in one of the remotest parts of Lochaber, accessible only by a nine-mile walk from the nearest road, which is probably why he picked it.

1 August 202610 min read