Loch Ness is a large, deep freshwater loch located in the Scottish Highlands. It is famous for its unique and mysterious history, including the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, a creature said to reside within the loch’s dark waters. The loch is approximately 23 miles long and over 700 feet deep, making it one of the largest and deepest bodies of water in the United Kingdom.
Aside from the mystery surrounding the Loch Ness Monster, Loch Ness is also renowned for its stunning natural beauty. The loch is surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and mountains, making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating. The surrounding towns and villages offer visitors a taste of traditional Scottish culture, including locally sourced cuisine and historic sites such as Urquhart Castle.
Overall, Loch Ness is a destination that offers something for everyone, whether you’re into history, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking to soak up some of Scotland’s natural beauty. In this post, we share with you the best things to do in Loch Ness.
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The Best Things to do in Loch Ness
- Take a Cruise in Loch Ness
- Visit Urquhart Castle
- Hike the Great Glen Way (or part of it)
- Look for Nessie
Where to Stay in Loch Ness
There is a wide range of accommodations available in this area, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
Take a Cruise in Loch Ness
Taking a cruise on Loch Ness is an excellent way to experience the loch’s natural beauty up close. Several companies offer boat tours, ranging from hour-long sightseeing trips to full-day excursions. Cruises depart from various locations around the loch, including the towns of Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, and Inverness.
During the cruise, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the loch’s surrounding hills and forests. The boat’s knowledgeable crew can point out notable features such as the ruins of Urquhart Castle and the natural fault line known as the Great Glen.
In addition to the natural beauty of Loch Ness, taking a cruise also offers the opportunity to search for Nessie, the legendary creature said to reside within the loch’s waters. While sightings are rare, the excitement of the hunt is sure to add an extra level of adventure to your cruise.
A cruise on Loch Ness is a must-do for anyone visiting the Scottish Highlands. It’s a relaxing and enjoyable way to experience the beauty and mystery of one of Scotland’s most iconic destinations.
Below are some cruise companies that tour Loch Ness.
Visit Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle is a historic fortress located on the banks of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The castle dates back to the 13th century and was once one of the largest castles in Scotland. It played a significant role in the country’s history, with ownership changing hands several times during battles between the Scottish and English.
Today, Urquhart Castle is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The castle’s ruins offer stunning views of Loch Ness and the surrounding mountains, making it an ideal spot for photography and sightseeing. Visitors can explore the castle’s various chambers and towers, which include a great hall, prison cells, and a gatehouse.
Urquhart Castle also houses an informative visitor center, where visitors can learn about the castle’s history and the role it played in Scottish politics and warfare. The center features exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that offer a glimpse into life in medieval Scotland.
Overall, Urquhart Castle is a must-visit for anyone interested in Scottish history or the stunning natural beauty of Loch Ness. It’s an excellent place to learn about the country’s past while taking in some of its most breathtaking scenery.
If you are a Historic Scotland member, you will get free admission to Urquhart Castle.
Hike the Great Glen Way (or part of it)
The Great Glen Way is a long-distance hiking trail that runs for 79 miles (127 km) from Fort William to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. The trail follows the Caledonian Canal, which was constructed in the early 19th century to link Scotland’s east and west coasts.
The Great Glen Way offers hikers the opportunity to experience some of Scotland’s most spectacular natural scenery, including Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and Loch Ness. The trail passes through forests, along rivers, and over hills, offering hikers a diverse range of landscapes to explore.
Along the way, hikers will encounter numerous historic sites, including the ruins of Inverlochy Castle and the Caledonian Canal’s series of locks and swing bridges. The trail also passes through several traditional Scottish towns and villages, providing hikers with plenty of opportunities to sample local cuisine and culture.
The Great Glen Way is suitable for hikers of all levels of experience, with options for both camping and staying in hotels or guesthouses along the trail. With its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history, the Great Glen Way is an unforgettable experience that showcases the best of Scotland’s Highlands.
Look for Nessie
Even just walking around Loch Ness and looking for Nessie is a great thing to do in the area. Especially if you are travelling with kids. There are lots of lovely nature trails to enjoy soaking up the stunning lochside views.
Before You Leave for Scotland
Before you set off on your way to Scotland, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Scotland. All of this is discussed in detail below.
When is the Best Time to Travel Scotland?
It is no secret that Scotland is a wet and cold country, it is the reason the countryside is so beautifully green. There is, however, a certain time of the year when the weather in Scotland is more likely to be dry and warm. As the winter fades away from the highlands and the Spring warmth comes through, Scotland is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the world.
If you were to choose a time of the year to visit Scotland, we would highly suggest April to June. These months tend to be the driest of the year, with summer rains coming through later into July and August. It is also early enough in April that the flying “Midges” (biting insects like nothing you have ever experienced) have not woken up yet to cause misery and doom.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Scotland
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your 10 day Scotland road trip you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around the highlands of Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
Where to Stay in Loch Ness
There is a wide range of accommodations available in this area, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Scotland
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to The Best Things to do in Loch Ness If you are visiting this incredible place and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this guide with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience in Scotland.
If you are planning a Scotland trip soon then check out our other Scotland content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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