Top Things to do in Loch Ness
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Loch Ness, Scotland
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. Monster Activities
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Monster Activities offers Target sports of Archery, Air Rifle Claypigeon Shooting, Tomahawk & Knife Throwing.
2. Ness E' Bikes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
We have electric bike and mountain bike hire fleets located in Girvans Hardware, Fort Augustus. We provide helmets, locks and information on routes. Taking a bike out for an hour or a day is a great way to explore the area, with mountains, lochs, forests, canals and monsters on your door step it would be rude not to. There are trails to suit all abilities.
3. Urquhart Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,250 reviews
Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall. A more comfortable view of the iconic ruins, against a backdrop of Loch Ness and the hills of the Great Glen, can be enjoyed from the café. Urquhart’s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine, and a short film. The castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and the site has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in our nation’s history. This is where St Columba is said to have worked miracles in the 6th century, where acts of chivalry and defiance provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence and where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power.
Reviewed By 882davidh - Seamill, United Kingdom
What an amazing castle, even though it is a ruin. We were there nearly 2hrs wandering around and taking pictures. It was a brilliant day of still water and bright sunshine, almost shorts and tee shirt weather, and this was in mid November!! We were told in the summer that is very busy. If I was going to make one recommendation, be there as soon as it opens. We were able to walk around, take loads of pictures solely of the castle and grounds, and not other visitors. There is an excellent visitor centre as well, full of information (including a short film on the history), things to buy (obviously), and a large café with panoramic views of the castle (indoor and outdoor seating). There is also disabled facilities, a lift to the lower level and they provide 4 wheel mobility scooters as well to get down the pathway to the castle. The staff are really friendly, so helpful and very knowledgeable about the ruin.
4. 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.
5. Cruise Loch Ness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,507 reviews
Day & Evening Tours - Exhilarating RIB Trips - Scenic Cruises - Loch Ness Transfers - Private Hire & Weddings - On the Worlds most famous Loch
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Loch Ness Cruises
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
Loch Ness Cruises aboard "Nessie Hunter" You will find our Loch Ness Cruises booking office in Celtic Crafts Gift Shop at the Junction of A82/A831 in Drumnadrochit. Free Parking in Nessieland and you will find us at the bottom of the steps on street level. Please note June, July and August are busy and we do recommend you book early. Loch Ness Cruises on the Nessie Hunter can be booked at Celtic Crafts, online or at the Inverness Visit Scotland iCentre. We invite you to visit Celtic Crafts, a stunning shop offering a unique collection of Scottish quality jewellery, ceramics, original artwork and luxury gifts. Visit this little shop where made in Scotland is important and quality is at its best.
9. 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.
10. Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 333 reviews
The Caledonian Canal Centre in Fort Augustus is a world-class visitor and destination hub. The centre offers all year round facilities for visitors and locals, including information, a gift shop promoting relevant and locally sourced goods and a café serving homemade, Scottish produce. There is also a grab and go offer, boasting fresh coffee and local artisan ice cream from the Black Isle Dairy. Visitor interpretation is incorporated throughout the centre, unlocking the wealth of local heritage and internationally renowned local features of the Caledonian Canal, Great Glen and Loch Ness. Seven holiday rooms are also available to let for guests who want to make Fort Augustus their base, bookable through Airbnb.
Reviewed By farrants
Lovely place, delicious coffee and a fantastic Scottish breakfast is served. Very polite and friendly staff, an interesting small exhibition on the history of the Caledonian Canal. The loos are very clean and smart!
