Druim an Aird and Waterfall

D.B. Grant

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This is a very pleasant walk a few miles west of Newtonmore in Badenoch. It includes a visit to one of the Falls of Pattack (used as a location in Monarch of the Glen) and to the remains of the 18th Century settlement Druim an Aird (possibly 'The High Ridge').

The settlement (ten dwellings) is at the highest point of the walk and is typical of Highland 18th Century settlements. No definite proof to explain the abandonment of the village has yet been found, but it is believed that the menfolk all perished in a blizzard when returning from a wedding feast. Clearing of the site is recent, but conservationists are already concerned at how quickly it is becoming overgrown by grass and bushes. So Soay sheep have been introduced... native to the St Kilda Island group they are 'conservation grazers', eating grass and bushes while being sufficiently light and nimble to avoid damaging the ruins. (See Waymark 09 for more info').

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Badenoch

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Hills or Fells, Pub, Restaurant, River, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland

4/11/2014 - Stephen Harwood

There have been a great deal of trees felled by the winter gales and the mid section going clockwise on the walk is almost impossible to follow. There is also pylon construction in the area which gives other paths. If going anti-clockwise it is easy to reach the ruins following the red markers, continue past the ruins until you reach the new construction track turn left and return to the original route.