Great Glen Way emergency & health guide: hospitals, mountain rescue, 999 and 111

Emergency numbers

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, register for emergencySMS before you go: text "register" to 999 and follow the replies. Mobile signal is weak in parts of the forests above Loch Lochy and Loch Ness and on the high routes, so carry a charged phone and an offline map and tell someone your plan.

Rules to know

• Access rights: the Great Glen Way is free, with no permit, fee or registration. Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 you may walk over most land if you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• No wild camping on the canal banks: the Caledonian Canal is a scheduled monument. Scottish Canals sets aside small grassed areas (for example at Gairlochy, Laggan Locks and Kytra) that take only a few tents, so always have a plan B; groups and anyone staying more than one night should use a commercial campsite.
• Away from the canal, wild camping is allowed under the Access Code: lightweight, in small numbers, for two or three nights at most, well away from houses and roads. Leave no trace and bury toilet waste well away from water. Avoid fires and use a stove.
• Canal toilets and showers are locked. Borrow a Scottish Canals key for £10 per person (under-12s free) from the offices in Corpach or Inverness, or call 01463 725500 to have it posted for an extra fee, and return it at the end.
• Shared route: cyclists use much of the Great Glen Way, and short sections follow public roads (around Gairlochy, Kilfinnan, Drumnadrochit and Abriachan); walk facing the traffic. Keep back from lock edges and do not swim in the canal.
• Dogs: keep them under close control or on a short lead near sheep and cattle, at lambing time and from April to July when birds nest on the ground.
• Drones: since 1 January 2026 anyone flying a drone over 100 g in the UK needs a CAA Flyer ID, and the owner an Operator ID. Never fly near a rescue helicopter.

Before you go, check the Great Glen Way pages of The Highland Council and the forecast (MWIS or the Met Office). The Citylink 919 bus runs along the A82 between Fort William and Inverness several times a day and stops near most stage ends, but not at Gairlochy. Midges and ticks are worst from June to August: carry repellent and a tick remover.

Nearest hospital for each stage

Hospitals

GP surgeries and minor injuries

Belford Hospital in Fort William has a minor injuries unit next to its A&E. Between Fort William and Inverness the only medical help is at GP surgeries in Fort Augustus (Cill Chuimein Medical Centre) and Drumnadrochit, open in surgery hours only; they are not emergency departments. Out of hours call NHS 24 on 111.

Pharmacies, cash and supplies

• Pharmacies: Fort William, Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, Inverness
• ATMs: Fort William, Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, Inverness
• Shops: Fort William, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit, Inverness
• Bus stops: Fort William, Gairlochy, South Laggan, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit, Inverness

Scotland has no duty-pharmacy rota. Pharmacies keep shop hours, and NHS 24 (111) gives advice at any time. There are pharmacies in Fort William (Boots and Well on the High Street, and Well in Caol near the trail), Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit and Inverness; there are none at Gairlochy, South Laggan, Invergarry or Invermoriston, so carry a first-aid and blister kit, your regular medicines, and midge and tick repellent plus a tick remover.

Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.