Explore: Loch Ness

Loch Ness is one of the biggest, and most famous lochs in Scotland, extending for 23 miles south-west of Inverness. Its water visibility is extremely low due to the high peat content in the surrounding soil, and it’s (of course) the home of the renowned Loch Ness Monster – or ‘Nessie’ as it’s affectionately known to the locals. Thinking of making the trip to see this iconic loch but not sure where to start? We’ve brought together a few things for you to see and do in the area.

Explore the Loch Ness 360° Trail

Described as ‘one of the great new walking and bike trails in Scotland’, this 80-mile loop around the waters of Loch Ness connects the Great Glen Way and the South Loch Ness Trail. It’s split into six sections, with section one beginning in Inverness and section six bringing you back to where you started. Each section takes around a day to walk, or half a day to cycle. Each part of the walk has its own unique things to see and enjoy, and you can dip in and out without having to commit to the full walks. Have a look at the details here. 

Enjoy the views

It can get crowded at Loch Ness on a sunny day, but if you want to see some spectacular views we’d recommend heading to the more scenic and wild south side. You could head to Inverfarigaig village, which is nestled below the rocky bluffs of Dun Deardail. Take a short walk down to the loch side and enjoy stunning views from the historic Inverfarigaig Pier, which was built by the famous engineer Thomas Telford. This is also a great spot for a picnic, so make sure you pack some sandwiches. 

Nearby, the road rises sharply to the spectacular Suidhe Viewpoint. It’s one of the highest points on the Loch Ness 360° Trail and the perfect place to enjoy some unspoiled views.

Experience some waterfalls

Did you know there are some amazing waterfalls to visit around Loch Ness? To the south there’s the spectacular Falls of Foyers – a popular tourist attraction since Victorian times. These falls are so stunning they inspired Robert Burns to write Lines on the Fall of Fyers Near Loch-Ness in 1787.

Plodda Falls, on the north side of the loch, are one of Scotland’s best hidden treasures. This is the tallest waterfall in the region, plunging over a drop of 151 feet (46 metres). There’s also a new viewing platform over the River Affric, which offers some unbroken views towards the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. 

Nearby, you can also take a walk to the beautiful Divach Falls, which is a lovely spot for a picnic. This route can be combined with a walk to Craigmonie, a viewpoint with more fantastic views over Loch Ness.

Uncover Ancient Mysteries

Overlooking Loch Ness from the south side you’ll find a small burial ground called Boleskine Graveyard. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, if you like uncovering ancient stories and mysteries then this is a great place to explore – plus the views over the loch are pretty special. 

Opposite the graveyard are the remains of Boleskine House, once the home of notorious Victorian occultist, Aleister Crowley, at the turn of the 20th century and later owned by Jimmy Page of the rock group Led Zeppelin. 

You can also take a detour to Dunlichity Graveyard to see the burial enclosure of the MacGillivrays and Shaws. Legend has it that soldiers from the Jacobite rebellion sharpened their swords on the walls of the church prior to the battle of Culloden and you can still see those marks today.

For fans of the TV series, Outlander, Boleskine Graveyard is the final resting place of all the Frasers of the region. It also contains a memorial to Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, who was the last man to be beheaded at the Tower of London. In Outlander, Lord Lovat is the grandfather of Jamie Fraser.

Head for the Forests

If huge, towering trees, colourful wildflowers, beautiful butterflies and red squirrels are your thing, then head to the Farigaig Forest, where spectacular views of Loch Ness await you. This is a tranquil place to spend an afternoon and a haven for wild animals and fauna. Wind your way to the viewpoint towards a dramatic rocky outcrop and look out for hidden lochans (small lochs) and the remains of an ancient fort at Dun Dearduil.

On the north side of Loch Ness, you’ll find Abriachan Forest which has a large selection of trails to enjoy – from short strolls to longer walks. It has amazing views over Loch Ness as well as various sculptures and points of interest along the way, including a replica Bronze Age hut, shieling and a treehouse.

Take to the water

What better way to see Loch Ness than by boat? Wrap up warm, bring waterproof clothing, and keep a camera nearby in case you spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster. There are some excellent boar trip providers, each situated at different parts of the loch. You can try a tranquil day or evening cruise, an exhilarating high-speed RIB boat tour, a sightseeing tour, and private charters for all manner of occasions.

You can also embrace the great outdoors and try your hand at canoeing amongst iconic Highland scenery. The Great Glen Canoe Trail follows an ancient route along the Caledonian Canal, running from Fort William to Inverness and passing through Loch Ness. It’s a fair distance, and certainly not for beginners, but it’s one of the best canoeing routes in Scotland.

If fishing is your thing, you could spend a relaxing day on the rivers Oich and Moriston, home to large spring salmon, or the River Ness, a summer and autumn fishery which flows for some 6 miles from the famed loch to the sea.

*banner photo credit: Ramon Vloon @ramon_vloon