Ruskich Inn, Loch Ness

Have you ever curiously noted the ruins of stone buildings right next to Loch Ness shoreline road (A82) between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston and wondered about the site?

Last month, as part of a landscape survey for Forestry Commission Scotland, Ross and Cromarty Archaeological Services researched and recorded the site of Ruskich Inn. Like many people, we have driven past the site innumerable times, eyeing it with interest. During the survey, we were surprised to see the complexity of what just appears to be one or two old walls next to the road.

The plan below, shows our record overlying the 1871 Ordnance Survey (OS) excerpt (courtesy of National Library of Scotland, www.nls.uk). Three buildings were recorded, one of which still has the fireplace feature visible. The buildings are separated by a burn, which is revetted with drystone walling on both sides. Slab steps are still in place next to the SW end of the north-eastern building, while a built track leads NW from the site to a substantial and well-built roadway. We also recorded the well-preserved ford at the burn crossing. Unfortunately there did not appear to be any evidence of the enclosures shown on this map.

The OS Name Book describes Ruskich Inn as, 'one storey and thatched with two small thatched offices.' It was under the ownership of Lord Seafield of Balmacaan House and the tenants of Ruskich Inn ran a ferry from here to Foyers on the south side of Loch Ness.

    Plan of Ruskich Inn

Southwest buildings at Ruskich                                               Ruskich Inn, NE building, fireplace visible in gable end

Old roadway and burn crossing NW of Ruskich               Ford at the burn crossing at Ruskich