Travel guide
Loch Ness
Loch Ness lies in the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands. Urquhart Castle overlooks its western shore, while wooded slopes and the Falls of Foyers mark the opposite side. Drumnadrochit brings the Nessie story indoors; Fort Augustus connects the loch with the locks of the Caledonian Canal.
Your visit to Loch Ness
01
Take a boat trip
Clansman and Dochgarroch offer different routes. Some cruises pass Urquhart Castle; a visit ashore needs a ticket that includes entry.
Compare boat trips 02
Plan a day at the loch
A castle visit, an indoor exhibition or a cruise gives the day a focus, with nearby villages and viewpoints around it.
One-day itinerary 03
Travel from Inverness
Organised excursions and public buses serve different parts of the loch. The departure point matters for the final journey to a boat.
From Inverness 04
Stay by the water
Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus offer village bases. Dores and Foyers lie on the eastern side; Inverness has rail connections.
Where to stay Places to visit
Urquhart Castle Urquhart Castle stands on a headland beside Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit. Its ruined walls and Grant Tower recall centuries of conflict over this Highland stronghold. The Loch Ness Experience The Loch Ness Experience is an indoor attraction in Drumnadrochit, housed in the old Drumnadrochit Hotel. Its cinematic tour explores the loch, reported sightings and the research behind the Nessie story. Falls of Foyers The Falls of Foyers lie in a wooded gorge in the village of Foyers on the eastern side of Loch Ness. A waymarked path from the village leads towards the waterfall and viewpoints.
Planning your visit
Where is Loch Ness? +
Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands, southwest of Inverness. Drumnadrochit is on the western side and Fort Augustus is at the southern end. Dores and Foyers are on the eastern side.
Can I visit Loch Ness without a car? +
Yes. Excursions depart from Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Public buses also connect Inverness with Drumnadrochit and the eastern shore, but the routes have different stops and operating days. See getting here for the distinction.
Does a Loch Ness cruise include Urquhart Castle? +
A view of the ruins from the water does not include entry. Short round trips and longer canal cruises stay aboard; some organised combinations include transport, a boat trip and time inside the castle. The boat trip comparison separates them.
Is the Loch Ness Monster real? +
Nessie is a legend, with reported sightings but no confirmed large unknown animal. The Nessie story and the Loch Ness Experience explore the attraction of that mystery.