15 Best Things to Do at Loch Ness, Scotland (2026)

Loch Ness is the largest loch in the British Isles by volume, a 23-mile freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands made famous by the myth of the monster that may dwell in its dark waters. We’ve visited Loch Ness many times across our years travelling around Scotland, by boat, on foot, and by road. We’ve yet to spot Nessie, but we’ve found plenty of other reasons to come back.

This is our guide to the 15 best things to do at Loch Ness based on those visits, with our pick of the cruise operators, where to base yourself, when to come, and how to get there from Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen.

 

Quick Take

At 23 miles long, 230 metres at its deepest, and holding more freshwater than every lake in England and Wales combined, Loch Ness is the largest loch in the British Isles by volume. A day will cover the highlights; two lets you circle it slowly and pick up the south shore. Late April through May, or mid-September into October, dodges the worst of the midges. Our cruise pick after several sailings is Jacobite Cruises (now 40 years on the loch); for the castle, Urquhart Castle is around £14 adult booked online and £16 at the gate.

 

Where is Loch Ness?

Loch Ness is found within the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands. It’s around 8 miles (a 20-minute drive) south-west of the city of Inverness, 170 miles north of Edinburgh (a 3.5-hour drive), and 180 miles north of Glasgow (also 3.5 hours).

 

What is a Loch?

A loch is the Scottish Gaelic and Scots word for a lake or sea inlet. Lochs are just lakes, and Loch Ness is one big one.

 

Loch Ness Facts

Loch Ness is an interesting lake in its own right, beyond the mythical monster. Here are a few facts worth knowing about the loch before your visit. Feel free to use them to impress your travelling companions.

• Loch Ness is the largest body of water by volume in the British Isles. With 7.5 cubic kilometres of water, it contains more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined.
• Loch Ness is around 23 miles long, running from Lochend in the north to Fort Augustus in the south.
• By surface area, Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch. Loch Lomond is larger by surface area, but Loch Ness is much deeper at 230 metres (755 feet) at its deepest point.
• Loch Ness is named for the River Ness, which runs from the northern end of the loch and exits to the sea near Inverness. Inverness, incidentally, translates from Scottish Gaelic as “mouth of the River Ness”.
• Loch Ness is really murky. High quantities of peat in the water mean visibility is very low, and you can’t see more than a few feet below the surface.
• Loch Ness is cold. The loch holds a year-round temperature of around five degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). It doesn’t freeze, but it’s bracing on a hot summer’s day.

 

The Loch Ness Monster

We obviously can’t write about Loch Ness without talking about its most famous resident, even if evidence of said resident’s existence is rather hard to come by.

The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, is one of the world’s most famous cryptids, up there with Bigfoot and the Yeti.

The origins of Nessie go back a long way. The first mention of a monster in the loch was in a sixth century book about the life of Saint Columba. In the book, written by Adamnán of Iona, Columba is told the story of the monster by the locals, and then encounters it.

Fast forward a few centuries, and sightings of Nessie resurged in the late 19th century. Scotland was becoming popular as a tourism destination by this point, thanks to the romantic writings of Sir Walter Scott and the patronage of Queen Victoria.

Many sightings of Nessie were reported from 1871 onwards, with perhaps the most famous being the so-called “Surgeon’s Photograph” in 1934. This is believed to be the first photograph taken of Nessie. In the late 20th century the photo was revealed to be a fake, but the legend of Nessie lives on.

Since then many theories have been put forward about Nessie, and various studies have been carried out in Loch Ness, including sonar scans and DNA surveys. No proof has yet been found of the creature’s existence.

Still, we feel this is part of the allure. Keep your eyes open and your camera at the ready when you visit, you never know what you might see.

 

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Loch Ness?

Loch Ness is a year-round destination, and we’ve visited at a number of different times of year and had a good experience each time. If you want the best chance of decent weather, aim for May to September.

The most popular months are July and August, when attractions are busiest. The Loch Ness area is a big place, though, and there’s no shortage of wilderness to escape into.

Scotland is also home to midges, the tiny biting flies that come out from late May to early September, peaking in July and August. If you’re planning outdoor activities at this time of year, stock up on midge repellent. The most effective option in our experience is Smidge, which you can buy online or at good outdoors stores.

Our own favourite times for visiting the area are April and early May, plus mid-late September into October. These shoulder months offer a good balance of weather and crowds, you get the long Highland daylight without the midges, and accommodation is easier to come by.

Outside the May to September window you’ll likely get cooler and wetter days. Most attractions are open year-round, though, so you can visit any time and find plenty to do.

Whatever time of year you come, pack for all weathers. Highland weather changes fast, and a sunny morning at Urquhart Castle can be horizontal rain by lunchtime.

 

How Much Time Should You Spend at Loch Ness?

We’ve visited Loch Ness on day trips and on longer multi-day stays. You need at least half a day to see the major highlights, but ideally you’d allocate a whole day, which gives you time to see most of the attractions and circle the whole loch.

If you choose to stay for a few days, there’s plenty to fill the time. We’ve happily spent several days in a holiday rental on the shores of the loch and found things to do every day.

 

What We’ve Learned From Many Visits to Loch Ness

After several trips back to the loch over the years, here’s what we’d do again.

The Jacobite cruise has been our consistent pick. We’ve taken several Loch Ness cruises and Jacobite Cruises has been the most reliable. They’ve been on the loch for 40 years now and run multiple options from Dochgarroch Lock, Clansman Harbour and Inverness Bus Station. We usually book one of the longer cruises that includes Urquhart Castle, so we can knock both off in a single afternoon.

Late April through May, or mid-September into October, is when we’d come back. Midge season runs from late May through early September, peaking in July and August. We’ve visited in peak summer and made do with Smidge, but if you can flex your trip to the shoulder months you get the same long daylight, fewer midges, and noticeably thinner crowds. Whatever month you come, pack for all weathers. Highland weather changes fast, and a clear morning is no guarantee of a clear afternoon.

Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit are worth stopping at; most other villages we’d treat as drive-pasts. Fort Augustus has the canal locks, the Caledonian Canal Centre, and the most places to eat. Drumnadrochit has the Loch Ness Centre, Nessieland, and Urquhart Castle a short drive south. Foyers, Dores and Whitebridge are quick stops at best.

Mid-week beats weekends if you can swing it. Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Centre both get busy on Saturdays in the summer; a Wednesday morning is much quieter.

And after all of it, we’re still no closer to spotting Nessie. Steve Feltham, the resident Nessie hunter at Dores Beach, hasn’t managed it either, and he’s been at it since 1991.

 

15 Best Things to Do at Loch Ness

There’s a lot more to do at Loch Ness than hunt for Nessie. From visiting a 13th century castle to hiking the surrounding hills, here are our 15 picks for things to do at and around the loch.

These are in roughly the order you’d hit them heading anti-clockwise around the loch, starting from Inverness.

 

1. Cruise on Loch Ness

The best way to experience Loch Ness in our opinion is to take a cruise on the loch. It gets you out onto the water itself, where you get lovely views of the loch and surrounds, and it’s also a fine vantage point from which to spot Nessie.

We’ve cruised a number of times on Loch Ness, and Jacobite Cruises has been our consistent pick. They’ve been on the loch for 40 years now and offer different cruise options depending on the time of year, you can see their current options here. Our most recent cruise was with Jacobite, and we’d happily take another.

Jacobite have three departure points: Dochgarroch Lock, Clansman Harbour, and Inverness Bus Station. If you don’t have a car, the bus-station departure is the easiest to reach from Inverness.

 

2. Loch Ness Centre

If you’d like to learn about the history of the Loch Ness region, from the geology through to the legends, head to the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit. The visitor experience is now branded “The Loch Ness Experience”, an immersive tour of around 45 minutes through seven themed rooms.

The Centre has been operating since 1980 and was fully refurbished in 2023 (a £1.5 million Continuum Attractions overhaul, completed in June that year). The seven themed rooms cover the ancient geological history of the loch, the legends and hoaxes, and the various expeditions that have tried to find evidence of Nessie. There’s also a café and restaurant on site.

The Centre is open daily except Christmas Day, with hours that shift by season but are typically 10am to 5pm. There’s a fee to visit, which you can pay in person or book in advance from the official website.

While you’re there, look in at the Great Glen Distillery, which sits in the same complex and is billed as Scotland’s smallest craft distillery. They have a range of gins available and offer a short tour of the tiny distillery, with tastings at the end. Worth popping in if you’re a gin lover.

 

3. Nessieland

If you’re visiting Loch Ness with young children, you might want to stop in at Nessieland. This miniature theme park has a number of Nessie-themed attractions aimed at younger visitors, though their giant Nessie statues are popular for selfies with everyone.

There’s also a shop and a few exhibits on Nessie. Nessieland is in Drumnadrochit near the Loch Ness Centre. It’s seasonal, open daily from late March (reopening for the Easter holidays each spring) through October, typically 10am to 4pm. Admission is £6 adult, £6 child, or £26 for a family ticket. Very much a cheap and cheerful stop rather than a premium attraction. See current details on their website.

 

4. Falls of Divach

If you’re interested in nature and the scenic beauty of the Loch Ness region, consider a visit to the Falls of Divach.

These are a couple of miles outside Drumnadrochit. You can either walk from the village, or drive up to the small car park from where it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the viewpoint. If you walk from the village, there’s a signposted footpath and you can see walking directions here.

The falls aren’t huge or particularly well known, but they’re a pretty sight and we think worth the visit for something a bit different in the Loch Ness area. The falls are free to visit.

 

5. Corrimony Cairn & Plodda Falls

If you have your own car and don’t mind a bit of a detour, we’d highly recommend Corrimony Cairn and Plodda Falls. These aren’t on Loch Ness itself, but we think they’re worth the diversion.

Both are within Glen Affric, often called the most beautiful glen in Scotland. This 30-mile-long glen is 15 miles to the west of Loch Ness, and you can reach it via road from Drumnadrochit by following the A831 out of the village towards Balnain.

There are a number of sights in Glen Affric and plenty of walking, but two of our favourite locations are Corrimony Cairn and Plodda Falls.

Corrimony Cairn, around 4,000 years old, is an ancient bronze age burial site. The mound of stones was believed to be the last resting place of an important female person, and the cairn can be visited and entered today.

Further into the glen from Corrimony Cairn is the trailhead for the short Plodda Falls hike. These falls tumble for over 40 metres (130 feet) into a pool.

The walk through the forest to reach them is a pretty one, and there’s a viewpoint that juts out over the pool for impressive views. You can also walk down to the pool to see the falls from their base, and the whole loop walk is only around 30 minutes from the car park.

 

6. Visit Urquhart Castle

If you take a cruise on Loch Ness, you’ll see a striking ruined castle on the western shores of the loch. This is Urquhart Castle, built between the 13th and 16th centuries and used as both a royal castle and a stronghold of Clan Grant.

The castle saw action through the Wars of Scottish Independence, in disputes between Clan Grant and Clan MacDonald, and lastly during the Jacobite uprising. It was largely destroyed in 1692 to prevent Jacobite forces from using it, and has been uninhabited ever since.

In the early 20th century the castle was bequeathed to the Scottish state. It’s today a popular visitor attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and the third most visited of HES’s sites in Scotland. We think it’s well worth a visit. The ruins are fun to explore, particularly the keep, and the commanding position offers long views up and down Loch Ness. There’s a good visitor centre with an exhibition about the castle and a short film, plus a café and gift shop.

Urquhart Castle is open year-round and there’s a fee to visit. As of 2026, adult tickets are around £14 if you book online or £16 at the gate, with discounted child, concession and family rates. The book-ahead saving is worth taking; tickets on the HES website also let you pick a time slot to avoid the worst of the summer queues.

It’s free to members of Historic Environment Scotland or holders of the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass. This 14-day pass gets you access to 77 sites around Scotland, including the likes of Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, and is good value if you’re visiting several.

You can also book a combined tour that includes a boat cruise on the loch, castle entry, and round-trip transport from Inverness. It’s our preferred way to handle both in one go.

 

7. Telford Bridge and River Moriston Falls

After Drumnadrochit, the A82 continues south along the loch, with the next suggested stop being Telford Bridge and the River Moriston Falls, also known as Invermoriston Falls.

These falls, on the River Moriston (which flows into Loch Ness), cascade over large boulders with a backdrop of an old stone bridge. This bridge, which crosses the river a little upstream of the falls, was designed by Thomas Telford, one of the foremost Scottish civil engineers of the late 18th century.

The bridge, which dates from 1813, was for a long time the main crossing point of the River Moriston, on the road from Drumnadrochit to Fort Augustus. Today it’s closed to vehicle traffic, although you can still walk or cycle across it.

A wooded valley surrounds the falls, and it’s a short and pretty walk from the free car park to a vantage point. Worth visiting at any time of year, although the autumn colours in the trees are particularly nice.

 

8. The Clansman Centre

At the far south end of Loch Ness is the village of Fort Augustus. There are a number of attractions here, including the Clansman Centre.

Set in a former 19th century schoolhouse, the Centre features a recreation of a 17th century Highland turf house, where you can learn about the history of life in the Highlands. This can be either by a short video, or, if you book in advance and are visiting in a group of at least 8 people, a live demonstration can be arranged.

The presenter provides an interactive hour-long display of Highland dress, customs and weaponry, a hands-on way to learn about the history of the area.

The Clansman Centre also has a small shop on site. If you can’t arrange a show in advance, the staff should be able to help with any questions. There’s no fee for visiting, but there is a small fee for the show. The Centre is open seasonally from March to mid-December, generally 11am to 4pm daily (call ahead, hours can vary). See the official website for current details.

 

9. Caledonian Canal Centre

Built in the 19th century, the Caledonian Canal connects Scotland’s east and west coasts between Inverness and Fort William, with Loch Ness being a key part of the waterway. From Loch Ness the canal continues in a south-west direction on to Loch Oich.

At Fort Augustus, the canal changes height dramatically, with vessels having to pass through five lock gates. These can be seen in the centre of the village, and watching boats navigate through them is a popular pastime.

Overall, the waterways of the Caledonian Canal are around 60 miles long, with around a third being man-made. The canal was originally built as a protected shipping route to let boat traffic travel from one side of Scotland to the other without fear of attack by French privateers.

As it was, by the time the canal was completed, the French had been defeated and ship designs had grown beyond the canal’s capabilities. The canal was not a huge commercial success. It did, however, rapidly rise in popularity as a tourist attraction. When Queen Victoria took a cruise on the waters in 1873 visitor numbers jumped, and today over half a million people visit the canal each year, either to sail on its waters or to walk or cycle along the towpath.

You can still take a boat ride on the canal today, either on a shorter cruise like this, or on a multi-day trip. You can also hire a boat or take a longer cruise; see here for some options.

If you’d like to learn a bit about the canal and its history, then a visit to the Caledonian Canal Centre in Fort Augustus is the place to do just that. There’s information about the canal itself, the Great Glen and Loch Ness.

There’s also a café, gift shop and information centre on site. The Centre is open daily, free to visit, with hours that shift by season (typically 8:30am to 3:30pm in winter, 9am to 5pm in summer).

 

10. Hiking at Loch Ness

Hikers and walkers will find no shortage of trails around Loch Ness. A good starting point if you’re looking for a trail to follow is the Loch Ness 360° trail. This long-distance route is suitable for walkers, runners and cyclists, and runs for 80 miles (129.5 km) from Inverness all the way around Loch Ness.

You don’t have to do the whole trail, which generally takes four to six days to walk in full. Instead, you can do just a part. The trail is split into six sections, each of which takes around a day to hike. Pick a section, arrange transport for the start and finish, and you’ve got a full day of hiking. It’s fully way-marked, with the Great Glen Way’s blue thistle markers on the north side and the South Loch Ness Trail’s blue squirrel markers on the south side.

For a wilder hike, we recommend the south side of Loch Ness. This side is much less developed, and is where you’ll find the South Loch Ness Trail.

If you’d prefer a hill walk, check out the hike up Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh. The name translates as “hill of the cold slopes”, and this is the highest point near Loch Ness. It’s 699 metres (2,293 ft) high, and offers long views over the surrounding hills.

If you’re into long distance walking, you can tackle the whole of the Great Glen Way from Inverness to Fort William, which naturally includes many miles near Loch Ness, plus other scenic locations along the way. The full walk is around 73 miles in length, and takes at least 3 days to complete.

There are also lots of shorter walks in the area, including nice level walks along the Caledonian Canal. See walkhighlands for more walking inspiration in the area.

 

11. Suidhe Viewpoint

Not far from Fort Augustus on the south side of the loch, heading up the B862 road, is the Suidhe Viewpoint.

There’s parking and a short trail here, with an information panel explaining what you’re looking at. At an elevation of 1,200 ft, the viewpoint offers wide views over the surrounding area, including Loch Ness and the smaller nearby Loch nan Euan.

 

12. Falls of Foyers

The south side of Loch Ness is a lot quieter and less developed than the north side, and offers good opportunities for hikes both short and long.

One short walk you can do is to the Falls of Foyers, about halfway down the loch. A short but steep path takes you down to a viewpoint with a view of the impressive falls.

The falls are over 140 feet high, tumbling down the steep rock face into a pool below before the river makes its way to Loch Ness.

The only thing to be aware of is that the falls are heavily dependent on recent rainfall. If there hasn’t been much rain (a rarity in Scotland, admittedly), they won’t be quite so impressive, which was the case when we last visited. It’s still a nice walk regardless. Also note that as of 2026, a bridge on the path beyond the main viewpoint is closed, so if you’re walking the full loop you’ll need to backtrack briefly towards the road. The main viewpoint itself is unaffected.

Fans of Robert Burns will be interested to hear that the Scottish poet penned a short poem on the spot when he saw the falls in 1787. You can read it here.

The falls are free to visit, and there’s parking and a store at the top where you can reward yourself with an ice cream when you’re done with the hike.

 

13. Go to the Beach

Loch Ness has a few stretches of beach, although they’re pebble beaches rather than stretches of glistening sand. One of the more popular beaches is at Dores, where you’ll also find the Dores Inn.

This pub on the shore of Loch Ness has open views right down the length of the loch, plus a full-service restaurant.

You can easily spend an afternoon at the beach with the Dores Inn just a short walk away for food and drinks, and there’s often an ice cream van in the parking area.

If you plan on swimming, be aware that Loch Ness is very cold year-round. If you want to do more than splash around, you’ll want a wetsuit or dry suit. There’s no lifeguard here. Public toilets are on site.

If you visit the beach, be sure to take time to look for Steve Feltham, better known as the Nessie Hunter. Steve became fascinated with the Loch Ness monster as a child, and has been patiently watching for a sighting of Nessie since 1991, 35 years on the loch in 2026, and counting. He’s a permanent fixture on the edge of the beach, his home a converted mobile library.

When he’s not watching for Nessie, Steve makes little clay figurines of Nessie which you can buy to support his quest. He’s also always happy to chat. You can read more about his life and adventures on his website.

 

14. Cycling Around Loch Ness

If you prefer your exercise to be of the two-wheeled variety, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a multitude of cycling trails around the loch. The Loch Ness 360° trail loops all around the loch from Inverness, and is suitable for cyclists as well as walkers.

You can also cycle on the Great Glen Way and the South Loch Ness Trail. The latter is more suited to mountain bikes.

If you’re interested in cycling but don’t have your own bike, you can hire bikes in Inverness for the day, including for a self-guided route along the canal towpath and beyond. For trail maps and route ideas in the wider area, lochness360.com has the most comprehensive coverage.

 

15. Visiting the Villages Around Loch Ness

If you visit the attractions we list, you’ll likely be stopping in at least a few of the villages around Loch Ness.

Most are fairly small. The largest city in the area is Inverness, which is where you’ll find more services and larger shops.

The main villages you’ll likely pass through and stop in, all of which are quite picturesque, are as follows.

Fort Augustus at the south end of the loch is one of the larger villages in the area. It’s here you’ll find the Caledonian Canal lock gates, plus a number of shops, places to eat, and some small museums and information centres.

There’s also a large abbey here. If you’re visiting Loch Ness for a full day, Fort Augustus is a good stopping point for lunch, a snack or an ice cream.

Another popular village is Drumnadrochit, which also has a number of shops and eateries, plus several of the attractions on this list.

There are a few other villages you’ll pass through as you work your way around the loch, although these are smaller and tend to have limited facilities, perhaps a pub or shop.

One to keep an eye out for is Whitebridge. Here you’ll find Wade Bridge, a single-span humpbacked bridge built in the 1720s as part of an effort to link the central lowlands with barracks in the Highlands.

The name comes from General Wade, who oversaw the work, which formed part of the plan to control Scotland after the Jacobite uprisings earlier in the century.

There are also a number of accommodation options in villages around the loch, from B&Bs and guest houses to self-catering rentals.

Some are in the villages themselves, which can be convenient for evening meals if there are pubs serving food. See more accommodation options around Loch Ness in the section further down.

 

Map of Loch Ness and Main Attractions

That completes our list of some of our favourite things to do around Loch Ness. Here’s a map showing where each of them sits. You can also see this on Google Maps here.

If you have a car, you should be able to visit most of these attractions in one day if you’re staying in the local area.

 

Getting to Loch Ness

Now for some practical information to help you plan your visit to Loch Ness. It’s a popular place to visit, so you have a number of options to get to the loch, including by car, public bus or guided tour.

 

How to Get to Loch Ness from Inverness

Inverness is the closest major city to Loch Ness. From Lochend at the northern end of the loch it’s around 8 miles by road, which takes 15 to 20 minutes if you have your own car.

If you’d prefer not to drive, you have several other options from Inverness.

First, you can take public transport. The Loch Ness corridor is served by multiple bus routes, so don’t commit to a single number. The most frequent service for the north shore is Stagecoach 17, which runs between Inverness and Drumnadrochit (the village for the Loch Ness Centre and Urquhart Castle). For Fort Augustus, take Stagecoach 19 (the Inverness to Fort William long-distance route, which calls at Drumnadrochit, Urquhart Castle and Fort Augustus down the western shore) or Scottish Citylink coach 919, a faster service on the same corridor.

The south side of the loch has more limited public transport options, although a bus does run from Inverness to Foyers, with a stop at Dores. Visiting both sides of the loch by public transport in a single day would be a challenge. For route planning, see the Traveline Scotland website.

Another option is to take the Inverness Hop on Hop off bus. This doesn’t go all the way to the loch, but it does connect with Jacobite Cruises at Dochgarroch Lock, from where you can take a cruise out onto Loch Ness.

If you want a really hassle-free option, you might want to take a day trip from Inverness with a tour company. We did a day trip to Loch Ness with Rabbie’s from Inverness on one of our first visits, and had a great time. The tour visited the majority of the locations in this list, and we had time to take a boat cruise and visit Urquhart Castle as well.

We’ve taken a lot of tours with Rabbie’s all around Scotland, including both day trips and multi-day trips. We love their small group sizes, modern buses, and knowledgeable driver-guides, and have always had a positive experience with them. You can book their day trip to Loch Ness from Inverness here.

Lastly, you can walk or cycle. If you’re walking, you can follow the Great Glen Way which links Inverness to Fort William. However, this will take you most of the day to reach the loch as it’s not entirely direct, so we’d only suggest doing this if you’re a keen hiker with plans for a multi-day hike around the area.

Alternatively, you can cycle or walk along the Caledonian Canal towpath to Dochgarroch. This is a level, traffic-free route, and from Dochgarroch you can take a cruise on the loch.

 

How to Get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh

You can visit Loch Ness as a day trip from Edinburgh, and you have a number of options for doing so. If you have time, we’d recommend spending at least one night either in Inverness or near Loch Ness as there’s so much to see and do in the area, but if you’re short on time here are your options.

First, if you have your own vehicle you can drive from Edinburgh to Loch Ness. The route is scenic, passing through the Cairngorms National Park, and the drive takes around 3.5 hours each way.

If you’d prefer to take public transport, the best option is the train. There are regular direct trains from Edinburgh to Inverness, with the average journey time taking around 3.5 hours. From Inverness you can use our instructions above for getting to Loch Ness from Inverness. You can see train schedules and book tickets online in advance here.

Another option is the Caledonian Sleeper, which runs an overnight service from London to the Scottish Highlands. The northbound train splits at Edinburgh Waverley, with one portion continuing overnight to Inverness, so you can board in Edinburgh in the evening and wake up at the doorstep of Loch Ness. The service runs six nights a week (no Saturday-night departure). See sleeper.scot for timetables and bookings.

Finally, you can also take a tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness. We’d recommend Rabbie’s, our favourite small group tour operator in Scotland. They have a full day Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh which includes Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and the Highlands, which you can book online here.

 

How to Get to Loch Ness from Glasgow

Glasgow is approximately the same distance from Loch Ness as Edinburgh. Again, if you have time, we’d recommend spending the night in Inverness or near Loch Ness as there’s so much to see and do, but if you’re short on time here are your options.

First, you can drive. If you do, our recommendation would be to take the scenic route through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, on through Glen Coe, and finally to Loch Ness. This takes around 3.5 hours without stops, and is a beautiful drive.

Next, you can take public transport. There are multiple direct trains from Glasgow to Inverness each day, with the average journey time around 3.5 hours. Once you arrive in Inverness you can use our instructions above for getting to Loch Ness from Inverness. You can see timetables and book online here.

Finally, you can also take a tour from Glasgow to Loch Ness. We’d recommend Rabbie’s, our favourite small-group tour operator in Scotland. They have a full day Loch Ness tour from Glasgow which includes Loch Ness, Glen Coe and the Highlands, which you can book online here.

 

How to Get to Loch Ness from Aberdeen

Found on Scotland’s eastern coast, around 2 hours’ drive north of Edinburgh, Aberdeen is a lovely city that often flies under the radar of visitors to Scotland.

This is a shame, as there’s a huge amount to do in the city, as we outline in our guide to things to do in Aberdeen.

You can visit Loch Ness from Aberdeen too. By car, you’re looking at around a 2.5-hour drive, so this would be a full day out.

Unfortunately there isn’t good public transport between the two cities, however you can take a day tour to Loch Ness from Aberdeen, such as this one with Rabbie’s, which covers Loch Ness and the Highlands as a long single day out from Aberdeen.

 

Tours to Loch Ness

We’ve linked to some of our favourite tours that visit Loch Ness in the section on getting there, but we wanted to also include a section pulling them together in one place.

These include day tours from popular locations in Scotland, plus multi-day trips that stop at Loch Ness.

• This one day tour to Loch Ness from Inverness is a great option, and one we’ve done ourselves. It covers most of the highlights of the loch, includes an optional boat ride, and goes all around the shore.
• There are also one-day tours to Loch Ness from other cities around Scotland, including a one day tour from Edinburgh, a one day tour from Aberdeen and a one day tour from Glasgow.
• If you’d like to cycle to Loch Ness, this is a self-guided 1 day bike tour with cycle hire included.
• This 1 day tour from Edinburgh visits Loch Ness, plus Glen Coe and the Trossachs National Park. It also includes a stop at a whisky distillery.
• This 2 day tour from Edinburgh includes Loch Ness, Inverness and Glen Coe, with an overnight stay in Inverness.
• This 3 day tour from Glasgow includes the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Glen Coe and other popular areas of the Highlands.
• This 4 day tour from Edinburgh visits Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and the Isle of Skye.
• This 5 day tour from Edinburgh visits Loch Ness on the way from Inverness to the Isle of Skye. We’ve taken this tour and I wrote a full review of our experience here.

As you can see there are plenty of options to choose from. We also recommend checking out the Loch Ness tours on Rabbie’s here, Viator here and GetYourGuide here for even more choices.

 

Where to Stay at Loch Ness

There’s no shortage of options for accommodation in the Loch Ness area, either around the loch itself or in nearby Inverness.

We have visited Loch Ness on self-guided day trips, as part of tours, and on trips where we’ve stayed for multiple nights on the loch shore. We’ve stayed in both hotels and a holiday home in the area. There’s plenty to keep you busy for at least a few days.

Here are some options to consider if you’re planning on spending at least a night in the area. These are approximately ordered by price from low to high, but you’ll always want to check prices yourself.

• Morag’s Lodge, a well-reviewed hostel in Fort Augustus at the south end of Loch Ness. Shared and private accommodation is available, and there’s a licensed bar plus breakfast, evening meals and packed-lunch options.
• Loch Ness Inn, in Drumnadrochit, a well-reviewed inn within convenient walking distance of many of the attractions in our guide. En-suite rooms are simple but comfortable and there’s an on-site bar and restaurant for evening meals. Breakfast is included.
• Airanloch Bed & Breakfast, an exceptionally well rated adult-only B&B at the north end of the loch. Rooms with loch views available; full breakfast is included (note that evening meals are no longer served).
• The Craigdarroch Inn, on the quieter south side of the loch in Foyers. A well rated 4-star B&B with lovely views and an on-site restaurant and bar.
• Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa (WorldHotels Distinctive), centrally located in Inverness and an ideal base for taking day trips. It’s within easy walking distance of where most tour buses depart from, and a good location for exploring the city itself. A great option if you don’t have a car.
• Loch Ness Country House Hotel, a well reviewed 4-star hotel just outside Inverness city centre and around 3 miles from Loch Ness. Offers large and comfortable rooms, expansive private gardens, and an award-winning restaurant.
• Glengarry Castle Hotel. If you want to stay in a castle, this one sits on the shores of Loch Oich, around 8 miles south-west of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. We’ve stayed here and enjoyed it very much; the location is hard to beat and we enjoyed both the evening meal and the breakfast.
• Bunchrew House. We’ve stayed at this Scottish mansion house, found just a few miles west of Inverness. It’s well-known for its evening meals.

We can also recommend looking for holiday rentals when travelling in this area. Check out the listings on Snaptrip for Loch Ness here, as well as on Sykes Cottages here. For more ideas on websites to book holiday rentals, see our comprehensive guide to our favourite holiday cottage websites in the UK.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Loch Ness

Some of the most common questions we get about visiting Loch Ness, answered.

 

Where in Scotland is Loch Ness?

Loch Ness sits in the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands, around 8 miles south-west of Inverness, 170 miles north of Edinburgh, and 180 miles north of Glasgow.

 

How Big is Loch Ness?

Loch Ness is around 23 miles (37 km) long and 1.6 miles (2.5 km) wide at its widest point, with a surface area of 56 km² (21.8 sq mi). It’s the largest loch in the British Isles by volume, holding 7.5 cubic kilometres, more freshwater than every lake in England and Wales combined.

 

How Deep is Loch Ness?

At its deepest, Loch Ness reaches 230 metres (755 ft), making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar. The bottom is largely flat, and the loch holds its enormous volume in a long, narrow trench rather than spreading out wide.

 

Is Loch Ness Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you’re already heading to the Scottish Highlands. Allow a half-day for the highlights, a full day to circle the loch and stop at the main attractions, or two days if you want to take a cruise, walk a stretch of the Loch Ness 360° trail, and explore the quieter south shore.

 

How Much Time Should You Spend at Loch Ness?

Half a day will cover the headline sights (cruise plus Urquhart Castle plus the Loch Ness Centre). A full day lets you circle the loch and add stops like the Falls of Foyers or Suidhe Viewpoint. Two days is the comfortable pace if you want the south shore and the Glen Affric detour.

 

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Loch Ness?

April through May and mid-September into October are our favourites for the long Highland daylight, lower midge counts, and fewer summer crowds. July and August are the warmest but also the busiest and the worst for midges. The loch is a year-round destination, though, and most attractions stay open through the winter.

 

What is the Best Way to See Loch Ness?

A combination, ideally: a cruise on the loch itself (we pick Jacobite Cruises after several sailings), a stop at Urquhart Castle on the western shore, and a drive or walk along the quieter south side. If you only do one thing, take the cruise. It’s the best way to get a sense of the scale.

 

Can You Swim in Loch Ness?

You can, but it’s cold year-round (around 5°C / 41°F), murky from the peat, and has no lifeguard. Most swimmers wear a wetsuit or dry suit. The pebble beach at Dores is the most popular spot for a paddle if you want to keep it brief.

 

Has Anyone Ever Found Nessie?

No. Multiple sonar surveys, the 2019 environmental DNA study, and decades of patient watching (including 35 years of Steve Feltham at Dores Beach) have all turned up nothing. The mystery, as ever, remains part of the charm.

 

Further Reading

And that sums up our guide to visiting Loch Ness. Before you go, we wanted to share a few of our other guides to help you plan your trip to Scotland, plus some third-party resources you might find useful.

• There’s lots more to do around Loch Ness and Inverness. See our guide to our favourite day trips from Inverness and things to do in Inverness for some inspiration.
• Inverness is the launching point of the famous North Coast 500, Scotland’s premier driving route. Check out our detailed guide to the North Coast 500 and North Coast 500 Accommodation Guide, plus my photography highlights on the North Coast 500 for some inspiration for your trip. If you’d like an itinerary for the route, check out our 7 Day North Coast 500 camping itinerary.
• From Inverness you can also head east and tackle the North East 250, a newer driving route covering scenic landscapes, many Speyside distilleries, and the Moray Firth coastline. See our 3 day NE250 itinerary for advice on that one.
• We have detailed guides to other attractions near Inverness, including a guide to the Black Isle and tips on visiting the Cairngorms.
• We have a detailed guide to visiting Glen Coe which has everything you need to plan your trip.
• If you’re driving in the UK for the first time, check out my tips for driving in the UK for some advice. We also have a guide to how much it costs to travel in the UK.
• Looking for more inspiration for Scotland? Check out our 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, our Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary, our guide to the best day trips from Glasgow, our guide to things to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our guide to the best day trips from Aberdeen, and our guide to the best day trips from Edinburgh to get you started. We also have a guide to getting from London to Edinburgh.
• For wider UK trip planning, we have suggested one week and two week UK itineraries as a starter, plus lots more UK content to help you plan your trip.
• If you’d like a guidebook for your time visiting Scotland, we recommend the Rick Steves Scotland guide (current 2026 edition).

And that’s it. As always, if you have any questions or feedback, just let us know in the comments below.