Loch Ness
Loch Ness is world famous for the wrong reasons: the mythical watery monster than has been subject to repeated scientific investigations without success. Its fame ignores the real attractions of this huge lake framed by mountains and castles that cuts the highlands in two.
Many visitors to Scotland set out to see Loch Ness as it is surely one of the most famous lakes in the world although for the wrong reason. Fortunately, they are rarely disappointed as it is a truly beautiful place with a magical quality early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56.4 km2 (21.8 sq mi) after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume. It is also one of the longest lochs extending for approximately 37 km/23 miles. Its deepest point is 230 m (755 ft) which is deeper than the height of London's BT Tower at 189 m (620 ft) and deeper than any other Scottish loch except Loch Morar. In fact, it contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined,[2] and is the largest body of water on the Great Glen Fault, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south.
There are numerous tours that include Loch Ness in their itinerary (see our Scottish Tours page) and there is accommodation around the Loch or in Inverness.
The loch is scenic in its own right, with rugged hills rising steeply from its wooded shores, but visitors don't come here for the views. They come every year, in their hundreds of thousands, to stare across the dark, cold waters in search of its legendary inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster. A huge tourist trade has grown up around 'Nessie', as the monster is affectionately known, and every summer the main A82 which runs along its western shore is jam packed with bus-loads of eager monster-hunters, binoculars trained on the loch surface, desperate for one glimpse of the elusive beast.
Region
Inverness & Loch NessActivities
-
Kayaking at Kushi Adventures - Inverness
Time to headout for some paddling session with your friends and experience a great time out trying this watery treat in Inverness. -
Paintballing near Inverness
Solve the clues while you save the earth from invasion with this paintball day package. We can book other activities, transport & accommodation. Group Deals
Local Sights & Activities for Loch Ness
For a free online guide to walks in this area, visit Loch Ness & Glen Affric walks.
Apart from walking, the best way to see the loch is on a cruise from Inverness. There are also boat trips from Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus. Most of the tourist traffic uses the congested A82, which offers few decent views of the loch.
By far the best views of the loch are from the quiet and picturesque B862/852 which runs along its eastern shore, from Fort Augustus up to Inverness. It's possible to make a complete circuit of the loch, which is best done in an anti-clockwise direction heading south from Inverness on the A82, but you'll need your own transport (or take a tour), as there are no buses between Fort Augustus and Foyers.
Loch Ness Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
-
LADYBIRD COTTAGE, Scaniport, near Inverness, Highlands Sleeps 6
This property enjoys a peaceful, wooded setting on the outskirts of Inverness, just 4 miles away from Loch Ness. All on ground level.
-
Woodside Cottage Loch Ness, Highlands Sleeps 2
Situated on the shoreline of Loch Ness and enjoying its own private shingle beach, Woodside Cottage will delight all visitors looking for a romantic retreat.
-
Cottage on Loch Ness - Sleeps 2
Lovely cottage beside Loch Ness with 500 yards of Loch front to enjoy. Then warm up in your own Sauna!. Sleeps 2 with a view!
-
Springburn Cottage near Drumnadrochit Loch Ness - Sleeps 2
This cosy ground floor cottage set next to the owner's home on the edge of Drumnadrochit, Scotland, sleeps two people in one double bedroom. -
Wendy's Place Apartment in Foyers - Sleeps 2
Stylish ground floor apartment in the village of Foyers beside Loch Ness. Sleeps two people in one bedroom. -
Black Grouse Lodge, Loch Ness - Sleeps 2
Enjoying a truly Highland setting within the dramatic scenery of Glen Urquhart, these beautifully presented lodges make the perfect getaway holiday retreat.
-
Capercaillie Lodge, Drumnadrochit - Sleeps 4
Enjoying a truly Highland setting within the dramatic scenery of Glen Urquhart, these beautifully presented lodges make the perfect getaway holiday retreat. Set near an RSPB nature reserve.
-
Glen View, Loch Ness - Sleeps 6
Situated within the former St Benedict’s Abbey, one of the finest old buildings in the north of Scotland. Converted to a high standard, this holiday apartment retains original features including a ro... -
Kilmartin Chalet, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 4+1
In a picturesque setting, surrounded by trees and bracken on a 10 acre wooded hillside, these 4 pine chalets each have their own private position with views to trees and some have a lovely outlook .... -
Lyoness Chalet 1, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 4
In a picturesque setting, surrounded by trees and bracken on a 10 acre wooded hillside, these 4 pine chalets are each in their own private position with views to trees and some have a lovely outlook .... -
Glen Urquhart Cottage - Sleeps 4
Situated in magnificent countryside on the hillside above Loch Meiklie, this charming detached stone cottage nestles in a small hollow, unseen from the nearby lane, and offers total peace and .... -
Loch Ness Chalet - Sleeps 4
Beautifully situated on the shore of Loch Ness, this charming chalet enjoys an elevated situation giving stunning views over the Loch and Urquhart Bay, reputed to be the home of the elusive Loch Ness .. -
Rowan Chalet, near Loch Ness - Sleeps 4
This detached chalet in Glenmoriston offers the ideal base for exploring the Western Highlands. Locally you can enjoy forest walks, fishing, bird watching and pony trekking. Loch Ness is 8 miles away and Fort Au... -
Red Deer Cottage, nr Drumnadrochit - Sleeps 4
Surrounded by acres of unspoilt woodland and stunning country views - a beautiful base for exploring the Highlands... Nestling in the stunning scenery of Glen Urquhart within 20 acres of unspoilt woodland, thes... -
Glenloch Cottage, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 6
A delightful, tastefully furnished, little semi-detached cottage close to Loch Ness. Drumnadrochit is a lively little village where there are shops, places to eat, and information available about all the t... -
Glencroft Cottage, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 4
This detached cottage is situated at the foot of Glenmoriston, adjacent to the River Moriston Falls and only ½ mile from Loch Ness. A stroll takes you across the old stone bridge and into the villag... -
Burns Cottage, nr Drumnadrochit - Sleeps 2
Tastefully renovated, this 200-year-old single-storey, former steading stands wonderfully positioned on the edge of the Highland village of Drumnadrochit, a short walk through an ancient forest to Loch Nes... -
Woodbine Cottage, Fort Augustus, sleeps 4
At the southern tip of Loch Ness and within easy walking distance of all the village amenities, this comfortable and charming detached holiday cottage, a family home for 150 years, was originally a croft o... -
Ceilidhtail Cottage, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 5/6
Ceilidhtail Cottage stands detached in an elevated position and enjoys spectacular views over Loch Ness, the ruins of Urquhart Castle and down towards Glen Urquhart. Furnished to a high standard, it is sup... -
Dalreach, nr Drumnadrochit - Sleeps 6
A bright, renovated highland cottage, peacefully situated in the hills, high above Drumnadrochit, only 3 1/2 miles away. Beautifully secluded, with a lively burn bubbling past. Reached by 1 1/2 miles of ... -
Wood Park, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 6
A short walk from Invermoriston and the shores of Loch Ness, this modern detached bungalow is ideally situated for touring this popular area of Scotland. Driving down the hill into Invermoriston is a joy -... -
Glenurquhart Bungalow, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 8
Amidst the magnificent scenery of Glenurquhart, this attractive, detached bungalow is in a small hamlet built around a country house hotel on a wooded hillside 5 miles from the bustling lochside .... -
Bearnock Country House, nr Drumnadrochit - Sleeps 10
Enjoying an elevated position and spectacular views across Glen Urquhart, Bearnock Country House offers spacious, beautifully presented holiday accommodation in a lovely peaceful setting. This is the perfe... -
Aspen Chalet, nr Loch Ness - Sleeps 4
This detached chalet in Glenmoriston offers the ideal base for exploring the Western Highlands. Locally you can enjoy forest walks, fishing, bird watching and pony trekking. Loch Ness is 8 miles away and Fort Au...