Travel to Gruinyards and the Highland Club
The Highland club is located in St. Benedict’s Abbey, Fort Augustus, at the southernmost tip of Loch Ness, about 35 miles, or an hour’s drive, away from Inverness.
Travel to Inverness is easy, particularly from London, and quick (1.5hr flight from Gatwick) or civilised (overnight sleeper train)
The location can be viewed in the map to the right, and the address is:
18, The Monastery
St. Benedict’s Abbey
Fort Augustus
Inverness-shire
PH32 4BJ
Gruinyards is provided with an allocated parking space, but if you decide not to drive up to the Highland club (see below for directions) then the easiest way to get there is by train or to fly to Inverness and then hire a car directly from the station or airport. The heart of the Highlands is surprisingly accessible.
Train from London
Kings Cross or Euston to Inverness. There are day trains — six departures a day between 6.15am and 3.00pm, mostly from Kings Cross, journey time between 8 and 9 hours, and the overnight sleeper which leaves Euston at 9.15pm every day except Saturday and arrives at Inverness at 8.30 the next morning. This is the most civilised way of getting there and although perhaps not the quickest allows you to leave after work on a Thursday or Friday and return first thing on Monday morning, giving two or three whole days in Scotland.
The sleeper costs approximately £150 return, although there are substantial reductions for family railcard holders, and is highly recommended.
For details of the Caledonian sleeper go to First Scotrail
For details of day trains go to National Rail Enquiries.
On arrival in Inverness there is car rental direct from the rail station (Focus Car Hire have an office on the station concourse) or Dalcross will meet the train.
From the station it about an hour’s breathtaking drive along the loch to reach Fort Augustus and the Highland Club – see below for directions.
Fly
Easyjet and Flybe both fly everyday from Gatwick to Inverness, as does British Airways, although it is more expensive.
Flybe have 3 flights a day during the week, Easyjet one.
Easyjet also fly from Luton and Bristol.
Indicative flight times during the week (Feb 09 – these may have changed so please check with the relevant airline website):
Easyjet depart 13.40 arr. 15.20, return 15.50, arr. 17.30.
Flybe depart 9.30 arr 11.15, 14.35–16.15, 19.25-21.10
return 7.05 arr 8.55, 12.10-13.55, 17.05-18.50
Prices vary considerably depending on day of travel and how far ahead you book, from about £50 return to more than £150 for weekends/short notice.
Avis and Hertz both have offices in the terminal. However these may not be the cheapest option and other companies (including Focus , Celtic Legend, Dalcross and Thrifty) will meet the flight on arrival.
From the airport it is about an hour and fifteen minutes drive around Inverness and along Loch Ness to reach Fort Augustus and the Highland Club.
Alternatively you could fly to Glasgow and drive up through the Highlands from there (about three hours)
Drive
Destination postcode: PH32 4BJ
Approximately 10 hours plus stops from London, either via M6 to Glasgow (mid point Carlisle) or M1 to Edinburgh (mid point Newcastle).
There are several Travelodges near both mid points if breaking the journey, family rooms cost from around £35.
Distance approximately 570 miles either way from London.
Directions from Inverness
From the airport exit directly onto the A96 to Inverness and follow for about 5 miles to a roundabout where you leave at the third exit to join the A9 (dual carriageway). Do not follow the smaller road (second exit) signposted to Inverness. At the next roundabout on the A9 take the A82 and follow the road around Inverness. The road passes through a couple of retail parks with a number of roundabouts and junctions. At all points follow the signs for A82 to Fort William.
About 5 miles after leaving the built up areas the road passes Loch End and then runs alongside Loch Ness for its entire length. About 7 miles further on is Drumnadrochit with the Loch Ness Visitor Centre and soon after Urquhart Castle visible on the left. It is then about 15 miles along the Loch to Fort Augustus. After entering the town you will pass over a swing bridge over the canal. Soon after this the main road swings round to the right with a smaller road continuing straight on. Take this road and the Highland club is about 50m on the left, marked a purple sign, lodge and a tree lined drive. Follow the drive up to the main buildings and find a parking space in the area to the right.