Ardgay: Bridges, Forest and Loch Migdale

Ardgay combines historic structures, ancient woodland landscapes and distinctive traces of Scotland’s past. In addition, Loch Migdale and the Badvoon Forest circuit offer two very different ways to experience the surrounding area actively. Anyone planning a trip involving nature, culture and water activities will find a place where several interests can be combined.

Historic structures around Ardgay

Several bridges give Ardgay a distinctive historic character. Ardgay railway bridge dates from 1888. Carron Bridge over the River Carron is a Category B listed structure and is considered an unusually early road bridge in the Scottish Highlands. Ardgay Bridge also crosses the River Carron and was built in 1818 by Alexander Thomas Luirson. Ardgay Ice House is a Category B listed building.

The railway station is also part of the area’s history. Its building probably dates from around 1865 and is attributed to Joseph Mitchell. This dating is deliberately presented as probable. For visitors interested in transport history and traditional structures, this creates an illustrative picture of Ardgay without reducing the place to a single historical theme.

Forest paths and landscape experiences

South of Ardgay lies Gearrchoille Wood, a 30-acre, natural-looking and ancient broadleaf woodland. Oaks and birches characterise the forest. An old drovers’ road also runs through the area, having been used by cattle drovers on their way to markets. The woodland therefore combines nature observation with a tangible trace of earlier routes and trading activity.

The Badvoon Forest circuit offers a different way to get to know the landscape. The circular route lies south of Ardgay above the Dornoch Firth. It runs mostly along forest tracks and Land Rover tracks, as well as a short, partly waymarked, heath-like path. Those who appreciate different trail surfaces and landscape impressions may view this route differently from a visit to the enclosed broadleaf woodland of Gearrchoille Wood. Information about the route conditions is therefore a useful part of personal day planning.

Loch Migdale: Water and early history

Loch Migdale combines a distinctive historic landscape with present-day activities on the water. It is home to an Iron Age crannog, an artificial island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. There is also evidence of a small henge, a cairn and a roundhouse site. These structures are probably older than the crannog and point to Bronze Age settlement in the area.

For travellers who want to combine activity and discovery, Loch Migdale is suitable for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. Depending on their interests, visitors can therefore add an active experience on the water or an exploration of the area’s early settlement traces to their stay in Ardgay.

Traditions and destinations in the surrounding area

The long-established winter market Feill Eiteachan is still held in Ardgay today. Its name is said to derive from the quartz stone Clach Eiteag. Another historic destination is Croick Church, located around 10 miles west of Ardgay. In its east window, carved messages commemorate the Glencalvie Clearances of 1845.

The Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society is based at the Old Church of Kincardine on the A836, which runs through Ardgay. For travel planning, it is also important to know that trains on the Inverness–Wick line stop in Ardgay. Ardgay lies 9.7 kilometres east of the Ledmore-&-Migdale woodland area.

Which accommodation suits your plans

A holiday apartment in Ardgay is a suitable option if you would like to include historic structures, woodland landscapes and activities at Loch Migdale in your travel plans. The choice of location mainly depends on whether you want to focus on culture, paths through woodland and heath, or stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. The train connection may also play a role when choosing accommodation.

For further travel planning, you can also look at these destinations: Dingwall, Spean Bridge, Isle Of Raasay, Invergordon, Inverness, Invergarry, Shandwick, Dundreggan.

To the main travel overview: Highland.