Top Things to do in Loch Ness
10 Free Things to do in Loch Ness That You Shouldn't Miss
With depths reaching 700 feet and a length of more than 20 miles, Loch Ness provides plenty of hiding places for its legendary monster. Should you tire of searching for Nessie, this scenic section of the Scottish Highlands also delivers charming villages like Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus, open-air Shakespearean productions, multiple golf courses and medieval Urquhart Castle. Wildlife of the non-mythological variety and ancient Caledonian pine forests can be found in the Glen Affric nature reserve.
Restaurants in Loch Ness
1. Loch Ness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,707 reviews
Many people believe that this brooding lake in Northern Scotland, 21 square miles in size at an average depth of 800 feet, could certainly hide a large dinosaur-like "monster," the lake's long-time and elusive resident.
Reviewed By Elksmommy - Frisco, United States
Loch Ness is beautiful. Any view of it is just gorgeous. Thankfully, there are several places along the loch designated for stopping so that people can enjoy the view and take pictures.
2. Corrimony Chambered Cairn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Getaway21242946528 - Palm Harbor, United States
We love seeing the old sites from ancient civilizations, so this one was a quick stop after Urquhart Castle. A 15 minute drive with a slight detour on our way back to Inverness took us to a small car park about 150 yards away from the Cairn that is simply on the edge of the road. An amazing, almost intact cairn dating 4,000 years old.
3. Clog and Craft Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By mlp302018 - Canterbury, United Kingdom
A lovely little clog and craft shop, with incredibly friendly staff who ensured we could get around the shop with ease, one of us being a wheelchair user. The shop is stocked with homemade clogs, handmade leather belts and keyrings, as well as a variety of sheep skin rugs and hats, along side the usual gift shop items.
4. The Falls of Foyers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 747 reviews
Reviewed By MercuryBelle - Glasgow, United Kingdom
We hiked from Whitebridge to the falls but you can drive here easily - there is a car park and public toilets so definitely worth seeing if you're driving through the area. The cafe across the road is also lovely! The walk down the stairs to the falls is quite steep so if you have accessibility issues it might be a struggle. The falls themselves are stunning though, you can see why great poets were inspired by the view. There is an upper viewing point and a lower, and on the way down you can find rocks with Burns' poem about the falls inscribed on them. Absolutely worth a visit!
5. Hillside Path
6. River Foyers
7. Village Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By lowribevans
The village green is very pretty, and a lovely place to enjoy some local food when the weather permits. The floral displays and well maintained grass really make the experience, as do the pretty B&Bs around the outside Whilst the tourist shops can be a little tacky, they’re a necessary boost for the economy in these areas so try not to be too harsh on them!
8. Invermoriston Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By SimonA2058
Wow, this place is just stunning in Autumn. I hoped the pictures would do it justice but ultimately they don't encapsulate the vivid and contrasting colours. You can park for free at the car park in Glenmoriston (known as Invermoriston on some maps), directly off the A82. It's a short walk of around 200 metres to the edge of the river and there's a short, 10 minute oval-shaped walk that takes you via an old summerhouse with great views of the A82 stone bridge (pics 3 and 4). It can be muddy under foot and children / dogs will need supervising by the river's edge as it's a steep and perilous drop. Also, if you're completing the circuit by skirting the field, just watch out for the barbed fence as it punctured a hole in our eldest's jacket.
9. Iceberg Glass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Glass-blowing studio where you will see glass being heated, shaped and blown to form a range of contemporary jewellery, Scottish souvenirs, whisky pipettes, vases, hanging decorations and, of course, Nessies! Please note, glass-blower not always working on torch. Open daily Summer months, closed Jan-Feb, shut Mondays other times.
Reviewed By T173234572
Visited in August with our young son, Leo, who was shy at first but wanted help. The lovely Kate was serving and she stopped what she was doing and couldn’t do enough to help my son. Clearly her customer service was a hit as my son bought his “girlfriend” a present as well as two other pieces for himself. He also insisted his mum went into the shop later to spend some money and check to see if Kate remembered him. Great little shop, some lovely and quirky glass items and the warmest welcome you could ask for. Highly recommended.
