Explore Inverness

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.

A Diverse Area surrounded by the Caledonian Canal, the Sea, and the river estuary.  You could see anything from Dolphins and Ospreys, to otters and deer. 

This hidden gem lies only minutes from the city centre. Easy to walk to with a number of habitats which host different wildlife and plantlife.  An area full of wild life with roe deer, owls, weasels, herons, cormorants and wading birds of various descriptions. If you're lucky you may even spot the kingfishers at the Muirtown pools, dolphins can occasionally be seen and even the occasional Osprey visiting the area.

The Muirtown Pools are a diverse set of habitats around a number of pools, which are partially connected to the sea. Habitats include salt marsh, fresh water marsh with reed beds, bog, scrub and wooded embankments.

There are many Paths & Trails with good interpretive panels and signage. Good disabled access and benches, so you can sit and admire your surroundings. We would recommend you  walk along the Caledonian Canal from here - there are good paths on both sides of the Canal, you can walk to the canals, first and last loch for boats in to and from the Beauly Firth.    

The Old Ferry Ticket Office:  Once upon a time, before the Kessok Bridge was built, vehicles and foot passengers crossed the Beauly Firth via a ferry. All that remains is the ticket office and the ramp down to the water, where the ferry embarked and disembarked vehicles and passengers.

Today the ticket office is used to give information on Merkinch Nature Reserve. It is open to the public from Saturday 26th June 2011, from 2.00pm to 4.00pm Mondays to Saturdays.

A small car park is located at the turning-circle nearby with plenty of unrestricted on-street parking elsewhere, and is served by the regular No 14 bus linking South Kessock with the centre of town.