27 Aug Our Adventure in Loch Ness

I couldn’t conceive of going to Scotland without visiting Loch Ness, the largest and perhaps most famous lake in the UK. So we set out on a two-hour journey from our cottage in the Highlands to cruise the loch and investigate the myths that surround this atmospheric piece of Scotland.

Loch Ness is a huge sight to behold. Surrounded by Highland mountains, the loch stretches for a whopping 23 miles and contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales put together. The loch’s murky depths plunge deeper than the North Sea and are, for many, shrouded in mystery; for decades there have been tales and sightings of a hump-backed, long-necked monster in the loch.

Things to do in Loch Ness Scotland

We took a day trip to Loch Ness from our base in Kinlochleven and had just about enough time to take in the following sights:

The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition

Our first stop was this exhibition centre which explored the myths surrounding the Loch Ness Monster.  A series of interactive displays and videos took us through the history of the loch and the recorded monster sightings which led to years of investigation and acres of news coverage in the sixties. The eye-witness testimonies are fascinating to listen to, as are the stories of fakery, illusions captured in photographs, tales of investigation and eventual explanations for the sightings.

Boat trips on Loch Ness

Many loch Ness tours include a boat trip in their itinerary and given that it was a dry but nippy day we booked a trip across the loch to Urquhart castle. The boat trip cost us £20.50 each which was a good deal considering the price included the £7.90 admission cost for the castle and we got some great views of the countryside and loch from the windy deck of the boat.

Urquhart Castle

If you visit Loch Ness a stop at Urquhart castle is a must. Perched on the water’s edge, this atmospheric castle is a treat to explore and photograph. I love castles but prefer the more ruinous kind; the type you can wander around and let your mind conjure up images of what the place was like centuries ago.

Have you been to Loch Ness; or would you love to go?