Fyrish Monument Walk in Scotland to Evanton

FYRISH MONUMENT

I walked to Fyrish Monument in Scotland and then continued my journey to Evanton. This blog explains the route, the mileage and what you can expect to see on this walk.

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Why You Should Add the Fyrish Monument Walk to Your John O’Groats Trail Journey

On day 8 of walking John O’Groats to Land’s End, I walked to Fyrish Monument and I am encouraging you to add this into your John O’Groats Trail journey too.

Due to my ankle still recovering and the downpour of constant rain, the host offered me a lift to the beginning of the walk to Fyrish Monument.

This was a 4.83km (3 mile) journey from Cuillich B&B and would have been around a one hour walk.

The same applies if you wish to set off from the centre of Alness, as it is also 4.83km (3 miles) and roughly an hour walk.

Where to Stay Near Fyrish Monument (Alness Accommodation)

If you’re planning to walk up to Fyrish Monument, staying nearby makes for a much more relaxed start to the day, especially if weather conditions aren’t on your side.

I stayed at Cuillich Mill Bed and Breakfast, a welcoming bed and breakfast set in the countryside just outside of Alness.

The peaceful location offered a quiet place to properly rest, and the breakfast set me up perfectly for the walk ahead, which was very much needed on this wet Highland morning.

You could also choose to stay within Alness itself if you prefer easy access to shops, restaurants, or public transport before continuing along the trail.

To help you find the right accommodation for your own journey, I’ve added an interactive map below where you can explore places to stay around Alness and along the route to Fyrish Monument.

Fyrish Monument to Evanton Walk

I’ve added a route map from Hiiker below showing the full walk.

I walked from the car park to Fyrish Monument, then continued my journey down into Evanton. This map also shows how I extended the walk onwards to Black Rock Gorge.

The total distance for my route was 14.88km (9.25 miles) and took 6 hours, including stops along the way.

If you wish to walk from the car park to Fyrish Monument and continue down into Evanton, the total distance is 10.25km (6.37 miles).

I use Hiiker to navigate all my walking routes, making it easy to track my path and stay on course. If you want to try it yourself, you can get 50% off with my code LEAH50.

The Walk from Jubilee Car Park

The distance from the car park to Fyrish Monument is 3km (1.86 miles).

I imagine due to the rainy conditions there were only four people I saw in total, which meant when I got to the top I had the monument all to myself.

It also meant it was taking me longer than it should to get to the top due to slippy conditions. The rain had created its own stream on the trail, pouring down fast.

How Long Does It Take to Walk Up Fyrish Monument?

From the Jubilee Walk car park, the climb to Fyrish Monument is around 3km (1.86 miles).

Most walkers take 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top, depending on weather and trail conditions.

On my visit, I was slowed down by the weather and by a full belly from a delicious English Breakfast.

What Is the Story Behind Fyrish Monument?

Fyrish Monument sits atop Cnoc Fyrish (Fyrish Hill) in the Scottish Highlands, overlooking Evanton in Easter Ross, at an elevation of roughly 1,500 feet (450 metres).

The monument was commissioned by Sir Hector Munro, 8th of Novar, and construction of Fyrish Monument began in 1782, taking around a year to complete.

It was specifically built to create jobs for local people.

Its design is inspired by the gates of Negapatam near Madras in India.

Today, Fyrish Monument stands as one of the best-known landmarks overlooking Evanton and the Cromarty Firth.

Is Fyrish Monument Real and Was It in The Traitors?

Fyrish Monument is real, and you can visit it on foot in the Scottish Highlands.

It remains one of the most recognisable landmarks for walkers exploring the area.

The Fyrish Monument appeared in the penultimate episode of The Traitors UK (Series 4, Episode 11), which aired in January 2026.

Walking from Fyrish Monument to Evanton

After reaching Fyrish Monument, you don’t have to turn around and walk back the way you came. You can continue on towards Evanton.

You can continue beyond the monument and follow a trail that takes a gradual descent into Evanton.

Before you carry on walking be sure to check out the panoramic views across the Cromarty Firth stretching from the North Sea and the outline of Ben Wyvis.

Even in the pouring rain you can still enjoy this view.

From Fyrish Monument, it is approximately 5km (3.11 miles) following the path alongside Big Burn, a peaceful woodland walk a lot more relaxed than the climb up.

This section eventually brings you to the B817, where you turn right towards Evanton to continue the walk into the village.

From the right turn, it is a further 2.25km (1.40 miles) walk along a path by road to reach the village of Evanton.

Where to stay in Evanton, Scotland

Accommodation options in Evanton are limited, with just a few B&Bs and lodges in the Black Rock Holiday Park.

For my overnight stop during the John O’Groats to Lands End walk, I stayed at the Novar Arms Hotel, which suited my needs as a solo walker for one night.

The rooms are a bit outdated and showing their age, but for a long-distance walking trip, I only needed a comfortable bed and a working shower, both of which I had.

The room did feel slightly claustrophobic and quite cramped even though it was just myself walking around the room.

Unfortunately I had to listen to a flock of seagulls outside my window, which squawked through the night which didn’t give me the best night sleep.

Understandably, something the hotel can’t control.

If you’re planning to stay in Evanton during your walk or Highland trip, you can explore the Novar Arms Hotel and other local options on the interactive map below.

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