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Inverness & Loch Ness Area Sightseeing
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The Great Glen Way long distance footpath is a 70 mile hike across Scotland between Inverness in the east and Fort William in the west. You can also have an easy walk from
Inverness 3 or 4 miles up the canal to the locks at Dochgarroch and then walk back on the other side. This photo was taken here in January 1999.
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Bespoke Highland Tours can arrange self-led walking holidays on the Great Glen Way via Loch Ness (with pre-booked accommodation).
There are many boating / sailing operators on the Caledonian Canal offering yachts and motor cruisers for hire - click here.
Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm is off the B9177 road (2 miles south of Inverness). It offers target paintball, quads, clay pigeon shooting, go-karts, etc. Specifically for children there's also an adventure barn and play area. There's a farm shop, cafe and gift shop, plus an arts and crafts studio where you can make your own gifts. Open daily all year round (excluding Christmas/New Year). Tel: 01463 772800.
OutdoorInverness is the web site of local activity providers in the Inverness Outdoor Network and includes details of activities available in the region including walking, skiing, watersports, paintballing, etc.
Also see the outdoor activity operators list in The Internet Guide to Scotland for more companies in the area.
For outdoor enthusiasts in the area, visit the WalkHighlands page about Loch Ness and Glen Affric walks.
Horse Riding:
- Borlum is a BHS approved riding centre at Drumnadrochit near Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. Instruction, trekking and holidays. Children's Club and Gymkhanas. Riding for the Disabled. Indoor school with spectator gallery, all weather outdoor manege and jumping arena. Self catering accommodation and campsite also available. Tel: 01456 450220.
- Loch Ness Riding (based at Dores) offers hacking for experienced riders. Tuition in riding and jumping is available from qualified instructors. Tel: 07973 815208.
- Rhoda McVey of Making Strides offers tailor-made horse-riding holidays and tuition. Tel: 07770 427502.
Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey
and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.LOCH NESS
Twenty-four miles long and a mile wide in places, it reaches a depth of some 700 feet. Loch Ness is of course famous for its legendary monster Nessie which may have been seen by Saint Columba way back when.
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You can easily drive or cycle around the loch yourself or go on a bus tour (see the Inverness trips page). The complete circuit is 70 miles and can take a whole day by car if you stop at some of the places mentioned below. The southern side of the loch is less frequented by tourists but well worth a visit for its beautiful scenery. The road has a great scenic viewpoint at 1162 feet overlooking the loch and mountains. The road passes through villages such as Whitebridge, Foyers, Inverfarigaig (forest walks) and Dores. Visit the South Loch Ness web site for details of local services, accommodation, events, etc. |
Very high quality B&B accommodation is offered at Evergreen in Inverfarigaig, just 5 minutes from the shore of Loch Ness. Fiona & Graeme Ambrose also offer personalised guided walks & car tours to their guests. Their web site details many local forest walks around Loch Ness & Glen Affric. An ideal place to stay for those who want peace, tranquillity and friendly service. Graded 4 Stars by the Scottish Tourist Board. Self catering also available.
There is a wide variety of accommodation around Loch Ness - including cottages, lodges & chalets and Bed and Breakfasts.
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To get an idea of what to visit before you go, or to just bring back happy memories, buy yourself a guided tour on video produced by Alison Wilkie who lives in Inverness. With her local knowledge, you will learn the stories known only by the local people, those that don't appear in the guide books. As well as her Loch Ness Video she also sells one on Clan Urquhart. |
 Photo © Corel |
Daily boat trips can be taken from the northern end, the middle or the southern end of Loch Ness.
Established in 1973, Jacobite (previously known as Jacobite Cruises) runs Loch Ness cruises all year round from Tomnahurich Bridge on Glenurquhart Road which is 1.5 miles south of Inverness centre. If you buy your ticket at the Inverness tourist office, you can get the courtesy bus 20 minutes before the boat sails. You can either have a round trip (no time ashore) to see Urquhart Castle from the boat, or just sail one way and have your ticket paid to enter the castle and/or the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre at Drumnadrochit. There are also cruise departures from the Clansman Hotel Harbour (9 miles south of Inverness and 4 miles north of Drumnadrochit). Combined cruise and coach tour options depart from outside Inverness tourist office. Scottish Tourist Board 5 Stars.
Boat trips from Drumnadrochit:
- The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre operates boat trips on 'Deepscan', the research vessel to the Loch Ness Project. Regular hourly cruises. Details on their web site.
- The Nessie Hunter runs daily from Easter to December. Bookings and departures from the Celtic Crafts gift shop at the Original Loch Ness Monster Centre (tel: 01456 450 395).
ABRIACHAN
Look out for the sign pointing up the hill to Abriachan Nurseries - 9 miles south of Inverness on the A82 Loch Ness road (between Lochend and Drumnadrochit). High quality range of rare and unusual plants. R.H.S. partners and members of Scotland's Garden Scheme. Open daily from February to November. Tel: 01463 861 232.
Nearby is the start of the Abriachan Forest Walk where you can also see a bird hide and the replica of a Bronze Age Hut.DRUMNADROCHIT (15 miles south of Inverness)
Established in 1980 as the first ever exhibition based on Loch Ness, the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre offers a hi-tech informative exhibition which has 7 areas (17 languages available), shops, hotel, restaurant and bar, plus a field centre (with lab and classroom, ideal for school visits). Scottish Tourist Board 5 star visitor attraction. Open all year. Disabled facilities. Wheelchair friendly. Advance ticket purchase available online. Tel: 01456 450 573.
Shopping facilities within the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre include The Whisky Shop, The Kiltmaker Shop, The Nessie Shop, The Cashmere and Woolens Shop, The International House of Heraldry (research your clan name) and local crafts.
The web site has a live webcam of Loch Ness.
The exhibition was designed by Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Project whose web site includes details of the scientific research and exploration of Loch Ness. Free work pack and puzzles for schools.
Adrian has also designed the 3D Loch Ness Experience in Edinburgh.The Village Green is nicely decorated with floral displays including one of Urquhart Castle (see below). Opposite here is the post office and grocery. Just a bit further down the road (heading towards Lewiston) is a car park, opposite which is a nice art gallery and craft shop. There are several tea rooms in the village. Public toilets are by the bus shelter (next to the post office).
Bikes can be hired from Wilderness Cycles at Fiddlers restaurant (telephone: 01456 450223).
The Glenurquhart Highland Games are held here in August.Also in the village is the Original Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre which features exhibitions, a cinema, a 'Braveheart Centre' plus a hotel, coffee shop/restaurant, gift shop, etc. Scottish Tourist Board 2 star visitor attraction. Open all year. Tel: 01456 450342.
Mick & Penny Evans run the Highland Gift Shop in Main Street. Tel: 01456 450838.
Bridgend House by the village green in Drumnadrochit is a 4 star B&B and member of Scotland's Best B&Bs. Choice of rooms (single, double/twin/family). Open March - November. Tel: 01456 450865.
Between Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Castle is Borlum Farm which is a BHS approved riding centre, together with self catering accommodation and campsite. Tel: 01456 450220.
For additional information about Drumnadrochit and area, take a look at:
drumnadrochit.co.uk
Loch Ness Partnership Community web site
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URQUHART CASTLE
(2 miles south of Drumnadrochit) Picturesque ruins on the shore of Loch Ness. Although the castle is owned by The National Trust for Scotland, access is via the excellent visitor centre run by Historic Scotland which includes an exhibition, film show, shop and restaurant. Admission charges apply. The castle is open daily 1 April to 30 September 9.30 am to 6pm; and also daily 1 October to 31 October 9.30 am to 5pm, and 1 November - 31 March 9.30 am to 4.30pm. Tel: 01456 450551. For disabled access, check with Historic Scotland. Telephone 01456 450551. Click here for full details and photos. Albavision produces a Clan Urquhart Video where you can meet the chief and see the castle. |
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CORRIMONY CHAMBERED CAIRN (8 miles west of Drumnadrochit)
Situated in Glen Urquhart, this chambered cairn is surrounded by a circle of 11 standing stones. Robert Pollock has an excellent guide to this site.
 Glen Affric © Corel |
GLEN AFFRIC NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE (west of Drumnadrochit)
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From Cannich, you can cut across country to Beauly via the back road.
JOHN COBB MEMORIAL (1 mile south of Urquhart Castle)
Back on the main road from Inverness to Fort Augustus, a roadside cairn was erected by the local people as a memorial to the famous racing motorist who died in 1952 whilst attempting to break the water speed record on Loch Ness.
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INVERMORISTON (13 miles south of Drumnadrochit) Remains of a bridge built by Thomas Telford in the early 19th century. It is a quiet, leafy spot from where you can watch the fast-moving white water of the River Moriston. Starting point for some good walks. Next to the old bridge is the Moriston Adventure Company which offers bike hire, or guided outdoor adventures by sea-kayak, canoe, bike and foot. Half day & full day trips, or multi-day expeditions. Tel: 01320 351315 / Mobile 0776 134 6254. The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel offers good food and accommodation. It has a bar with 150 single malt whiskies. Tel: 01320 351206. It's a handy place to stay overnight or just stop for a meal if you are taking the road to Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye which cuts across country from here to the west coast. Lann Dearg Studios offer flexible B&B accommodation or self catering studios - ideal for walkers on the Great Glen Way. For more local info, visit the Fort Augustus and Invermoriston web site. |
CHERRY ISLAND
Parking spaces, intepretative panel and woodland walk overlooking Cherry Island (the only island in Loch Ness). The tiny island features a 'crannog' which was probably built 2000 years ago and later housed a mediaeval castle.
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FORT AUGUSTUS
Situated at the southern end of Loch Ness, 33 miles south of Inverness. Souvenir shops, golf course, garage, hotel, tourist office, bank, post office, cash dispenser. The Caledonian Canal cuts through the village on its way down to Fort William (31 miles away). There's a visitor centre about the canal and small gift shop (tel: 01320 366 493). You can watch boats passing through the series of locks or go on a cruise up Loch Ness. |
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The Highland & Rare Breeds Croft can be found by following the signs down the left hand side from the petrol station. Tel: 01320 366 433.
The Imray Shop on the main road specialises in Scottish needlecraft kits, plus clan souvenirs, tartans, books, videos, CDs, etc. They stock a huge range of Scottish and Celtic gifts and also offer a mail order service if you can't visit the shop. Run by a very friendly and knowledgeable couple who have equally friendly dogs, so pop in and say hello! They also offer B&B accommodation.
On the shores of Loch Ness, the Benedictine Abbey stands on the site of the fort built in 1720 by General Wade to subdue the Highlanders. It was named after the King's son, William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland who became known as 'The Butcher' after his victory at Culloden. In the mid-18th century the Lovat family used the building as a hunting lodge and then in 1876 leased it for a peppercorn rent of 1 pound to a group of English and Scottish monks who had returned from Germany (althought the rent was never actually collected). The monks founded a monastery and later ran a boarding school here up until 1993. Subsequently they set up a heritage centre, restaurant and accommodation block, but it had to close and was sold.
The new Highland Club development of the abbey buildings now offers exclusive holiday home accommodation and residential apartments. Visit the Highland Club Scotland web site for details of the accommodation available, plus photos and the history of the abbey.
There is now a restaurant in the boathouse which is open to the public.
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Another visitor attraction is The Clansman Centre. Located not far from the abbey grounds, in a reconstructed Highland Turf House close to the canal locks. You can see and hear how the clans lived in the 17th century in the museum and live exhibition. Hire a costume and have your photo taken as a Highlander. Weapons demonstrations given during live re-enactments too. Open 7 days a week 10am to 6pm during the summer season from April - October. |
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The Royal Scot can be found near the Clansmen Centre. Cruises up Loch Ness depart frequently during the summer (March until October) with limited winter sailings. The ship accommodates 120 passengers and is equipped with a bar and sonar display screens. Telephone 01320 366277.
The boat Augusta can be hired for hour, half day or full day trips on the Loch for wildlife watching or sightseeing (maximum 12 persons). It is fully-equipped for angling. Rod hire available. Dogs welcome. Tel: 01320 366579.
The Bothy Restaurant & Bar is located in the former village smiddy by the side of the locks. Tel: 01320 366 710.
For more information about Fort Augustus visit the local community web site: fortaugustus.org.
Additional details can be found on the AUGUSTA web site which is a company dedicated to promoting foreign tourism especially for groups (10 - 12 people) who may want to go cruising, wildlife watching, trekking, cycling, horse riding and sightseeing in the area.
From Fort Augustus, you can continue on a circuit around Loch Ness back to Inverness
or drive southwards toward Invergarry where the road splits:
head west to the Isle of Skye via the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donan Castle
or continue south to Fort William
CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD (2 miles from Inverness)
This windswept heath is where Bonnie Prince Charlie's men were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland, known forever after as "The Butcher". One thousand two hundred Highlanders lost their lives here on the morning of 16th April 1746. Buried in mass graves, they are remembered through stones which bear the names of their clans. The best time to visit is when the purple heather is in flower. I took this picture in September 1998.The new Visitor Centre with audio-visual show, exhibition, restaurant and bookshop is open all year. There is a charge to access the exhibition. Access to the battlefield itself is free. It is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Wheelchairs are available. Guided tours take place during the summer. Tel: 01463 790 607. A Commemorative Service is usually held here each year on the Saturday nearest the anniversary of the battle.
Culloden Battlefield Memorial Project allows you to spnsor a personalised engraved stone for the Culloden Walk.Electric Scotland provides a detailed history of the Battle and Rick Edmondson has an online copy of the history of the Battle which was first published in 1867 by Peter Anderson and revised by his son 55 years later.
CLAVA CAIRNS (6 miles east of Inverness)
Unique set of 3 Bronze Age chambered cairns each surrounded by a stone circle in a wooded field. A most unusual place for both its atmosphere and history - well worth visiting if you are interested in ancient sites. It is signposted as a right turn off the main road just after Culloden Battlefield when you are heading towards Cawdor Castle.
Link to my photosHistoric Scotland has produced an interesting free guide about the cairns - click here to download their PDF file.
The Highland Council's Historic Environment Record is full for historic details and photos.
Robert Pollock has an excellent guide to this site. And you can view more photos online by Phil Wright.DALCROSS CASTLE
This L-plan castle with its decorative stone crown is located 8 miles east of Inverness on the B9006 road. It was built in 1621 by the 8th Lord Lovat and was the mustering point of the Government troops before the battle at Culloden in 1746. By the 19th century the castle had lost its roof and upper floors, but it was later restored by descendants of the earlier Macintosh lairds. It used to be open to the public until it was sold to new owners in 1996.CASTLE STUART
This castle is located just a couple of miles outside of Inverness just off the A96 road to Nairn. It was built about the same time as Dalcross Castle. If you would like to stay here (8 rooms are available), telephone Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stuart on 01463 790 745. But remember, the place is said to be haunted by four ghosts! Bonnie Prince Charlie may have slept here too. For more information visit the official Castle Stuart web site.CASTLE STUART GOLF
Castle Stuart Golf Links is a new course for 2008. Tel: 01463 795440.HIGHLAND AVIATION MUSEUM
Close to Inverness Airport and the former RAF Dalcross air base is the Highland Aviation Museum. Old aircraft on display include a Buccaneer, Tornado, Hawker Hunter, etc. The indoor display covers the RAF stations at Kinloss, Lossiemouth and Dalcross. Only open on weekends 10am - 4pm throughout the year. Run by the Highland Aircraft Preservation Society. Tel: 01667 461100 or 01463 831459.FORT GEORGE (11 miles east of Inverness)
Close to the village of Ardersier (visit the local community web site). Built as the Highland garrison fortress for the Hanoverian army of George II following the Battle of Culloden, it stands on a headland overlooking the Black Isle. Today its mile-long rampart encloses the Regimental Museum of the Queen's Own Highlanders and a working garrison spread over an area of some 42 acres. Click for external web site.Admission charge. Exhibition, visitor centre, restaurant and gift shop. Telephone 01667 462 777. Open every day all year round. April to September: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Sunday 2pm to 6.30pm. October to March: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm, Sunday 2pm to 4.30pm. Regular local bus services run from Inverness and can be combined with a visit to Cawdor Castle.
KILRAVOCK CASTLE (about 10 miles east of Inverness)
On the B9101 between Croy and Clephanton. Accommodation available - see details on kilravockcastle.com
Guided tours are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from early April to early October. Advance booking advisable. Tel: 01667 493 258.
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CAWDOR CASTLE (12 miles east of Inverness)
This is one of my personal favourites so I have created separate web pages of detailed information and photos. Well worth a visit. Open May - mid October only. A few miles after Nairn, Brodie Castle is another one not to miss. The grounds are open all year. The castle is open daily in April, July and August, as well as afternoons in May, June and September (excluding Friday and Saturday). |
CAWDOR VILLAGE (12 miles east of Inverness)
Often overlooked by visitors is the Conservation village of Cawdor itself, a quiet place well worth walking around. There are several pretty old houses, a fountain, bowling green, tavern, school, post office and shop. Cawdor church was built in 1619 by the then Thane of Cawdor, Sir John Campbell, after he survived being shipwrecked when returning from the Isle of Islay.CAWDOR ESTATES GUIDED WALKS
There are usually several guided walks organised during the summer - telephone 01667 404 666 for full details of this year's programme. If similar to previous years, these will include walks of between 1.5 hours and 4 hours to see varied habitats within the local woodlands, and perhaps Findhorn Valley, Loch of Boath or Findhorn Terraces.NAIRN (16 miles east of Inverness)
Popular seaside resort with long stretches of sandy beach. More details....Continue the sightseeing tour to Nairn, Elgin, Moray & Speyside
Sightseeing nearby
- Inverness City
- Black Isle, Beauly, Strathpeffer, Dingwall
- Nairn, Elgin, Moray, Speyside
- Dornoch northwards (Sutherland & Caithness)
- Further south: Aviemore / Cairngorm
- Further west: Ullapool & Wester Ross
More info about Inverness
Accommodation
Culloden, Loch Ness
& Inverness area
B&Bs / Guest HousesInverness City Centre
B&Bs / Guest HousesLoch Ness
Self Catering CottagesInverness Apartments
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Last update: December 2008