Loch Ness Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Urquhart Castle featuring a ruin, heritage elements and a castle
Urquhart Castle showing a lake or waterhole and building ruins
Loch Ness
Loch Ness featuring a ferry and general coastal views as well as a small group of people
Loch Ness showing general coastal views, a marina and tranquil scenes

Scotland’s most legendary attraction, this mysterious loch is said to be home to a mythical monster.

Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland by volume. Surrounded by craggy mountains, woodlands and picturesque glens, the loch is hauntingly beautiful. Of course, its fame stems not from its natural scenery but from the infamous Loch Ness Monster, also known as Nessie. Walk along one of the many wonderful trails around the loch, take a boat tour on its waters and learn more about its fabled resident.

Numerous cruises cross the loch, which is 23 miles (37 kilometres) long and more than 700 feet (215 metres) deep. Tours depart from Fort Augustus and Inverness. Many boats include sonar equipment and underwater cameras, ready to catch a glimpse of Nessie.

Walk along the shore of the lake or follow one of the challenging surrounding trails. The 79-mile-long (127-kilometre) Great Glen Way stretches from Inverness to Fort William, passing some of the country’s loveliest scenery along the way. The South Loch Ness Trail traverses the loch’s less explored south shore. Hike or cycle along this 28-mile (45-kilometre) trail, while enjoying sweeping views of the loch.

You may not be able to glimpse the elusive Loch Ness Monster during your visit, but you can learn more about her at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. Stop at the centre for a general overview of the loch with a focus on the legend of its monster. Sightings of the monster from A.D. 565 to the present are documented through photos, audio and video.

Check out the views of the loch from the top of Urquhart Castle’s five-story tower house. The castle’s location on a promontory overlooking the loch makes it a popular Nessie-watching spot. Destroyed and rebuilt numerous times over the centuries, most of the ruins date back to the 16th century. See displays of medieval artifacts recovered from the castle and watch a movie about its history in the video theatre.

To get here, take the bus from InvernessOpens in a new window to Fort William, which includes several stops along the shores of Loch Ness. No visit to Scotland is complete without a trip to this iconic loch.

Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel
Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel
3 out of 5
Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Scotland
The price is £89 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£89
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (337 reviews)
"A good base for Loch Ness cruises and Urquhart Castle."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel
The Inch Hotel
The Inch Hotel
3 out of 5
Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus, Scotland
The price is £158 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
£158
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Fort Augustus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (455 reviews)
"Quaint older hotel with adequate amenities.(full bar and restaurant). Food and service were great. Could use some black out curtains and the mattresses could use an update. ."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

The Inch Hotel
Loch Ness Clansman Hotel
Loch Ness Clansman Hotel
3 out of 5
Brackla, Loch Ness-side, Inverness, Scotland
The price is £183 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
£183
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (667 reviews)
"A good night spent in a renovated upgraded room. Staff very helpful. Great location."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Loch Ness Clansman Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Loch Ness Cottages
Loch Ness Cottages
3.5 out of 5
Brachla, Loch Ness-side, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Inverness. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Urquhart Castle and Abriachan Forest ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
Must stay adorable cottage
"Adorable little cottage overlooking Loch Ness. On the same property as Clansman Hotel so close to restaurant and cafe. Across the street from Jacobite boat tours. Amazing for a girls trip. Slightly outdated but very clean, comfortable, and relaxing. Stunning views of the loch."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Loch Ness Cottages
Loch Ness Gate House Apartments
Loch Ness Gate House Apartments
3 out of 5
Station Rd, Fort Augustus, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Fort Augustus. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Clansman Centre and Allt ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Property was great for our group of 7. The town was perfect for a morning stroll. FYI, read all of your emails from Expedia. We arrived late and had a small amount of trouble checking in. I had received an email with all the late check in instructions. I didn’t read it because I thought it was just ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Loch Ness Gate House Apartments
Lovely foresters cottage, amazing Loch Ness views, private beach, pets welcome
Lovely foresters cottage, amazing Loch Ness views, private beach, pets welcome
Inverfarigaig, Loch Ness, Highlands
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Inverness. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Urquhart Castle and Boleskine Burial ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (102 reviews)
Wonderful wee cottage
"Loved our stay! Views are incredible- everything we needed for cooking meals was there. Water pressure in the shower was wonderful and it’s a gorgeous easy drive into Inverness for any adventure. Even had some wildlife visit- perfect wee cottage to enjoy quiet and nature!"

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

Lovely foresters cottage, amazing Loch Ness views, private beach, pets welcome
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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