Discover Scotland's Most Legendary Loch
Loch Ness stretches through the Great Glen for more than 20 miles, surrounded by mountains, forests and centuries of Highland history.
Best known around the world for the legend of Nessie, the loch has far more to discover, from the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle to the canal-side village of Fort Augustus and the spectacular scenery of the Great Glen.
Whether you cruise across its dark waters, explore its historic shoreline or simply take in the views, Loch Ness remains one of the most memorable landscapes in the Scottish Highlands.
Its central Highland location also makes Loch Ness a highlight of many of our small-group day tours and multi-day journeys from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Loch Ness: Legends, History & Highland Scenery
From ancient castles and mysterious legends to the villages and waterways of the Great Glen, Loch Ness has stories around almost every corner.
The Legend of Nessie
From ancient castles and mysterious legends to the villages and waterways of the Great Glen, Loch Ness has stories around almost every corner.
Loch Ness is famous around the world for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie. Stories of a mysterious creature in these deep, dark waters stretch back centuries, helping to make the loch one of Scotland’s most intriguing and recognisable places.
Urquhart Castle & Loch Views
Perched dramatically on the western shore, Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic ruins. Dating largely from the 13th to 16th centuries, it played a key role in the Wars of Independence before being partially destroyed in 1692. Today, its atmospheric remains overlook the deep waters of the loch.
Fort Augustus & the Caledonian Canal
At the southern tip of the loch lies Fort Augustus, a welcoming Highland village where boats pass through the locks of the Caledonian Canal. It’s a popular stop for exploring the waterfront, watching canal traffic and enjoying views across the loch.
The Great Glen & Highland Landscape
Loch Ness forms part of the Great Glen, a dramatic natural corridor that follows a major geological fault line across the Scottish Highlands. Stretching from Fort William in the southwest to Inverness in the northeast, the Great Glen shapes much of the spectacular mountain and loch scenery surrounding Loch Ness.
→ Visit the official Loch Ness & Great Glen guide on VisitScotland
Award-Winning Tours
Tours Featuring Loch Ness
Loch Ness features in a range of small-group day tours and multi-day journeys from Edinburgh and Glasgow, with itineraries exploring the Great Glen, Inverness, Skye and the wider Highlands.
Things to do at Loch Ness
Cruise Across Loch Ness
Sail across Scotland’s most legendary loch, enjoy the Highland scenery and keep watch for the elusive Nessie.
Visit Urquhart Castle
Explore the atmospheric castle ruins and enjoy sweeping views across Loch Ness and the Great Glen.
Explore Fort Augustus
Spend time beside the Caledonian Canal and watch boats pass through the village’s famous flight of locks.
Great Glen Scenery
Enjoy dramatic views of mountains, forests and lochs as you travel through the Great Glen, one of the most scenic routes in the Scottish Highlands.
Why Travel With Us
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Our driver-guides bring Scotland’s landscapes, history and stories to life with local knowledge, storytelling, humour and first-hand experience.
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Every tour is operated directly by us — a family-run Scottish company with more than 20 years’ experience showing visitors around Scotland.
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Loch Ness FAQs
Yes. Loch Ness is one of the most famous landscapes in Scotland, combining dramatic Highland scenery, centuries of history and the enduring legend of Nessie. Along the loch you can visit Urquhart Castle, enjoy views across the Great Glen and, on selected tours, take a cruise on the water.
Yes. Boat cruises operate on Loch Ness and are available on selected Discover Scotland Tours itineraries. Depending on the tour, the cruise may depart from Fort Augustus or form part of a visit to the Urquhart Castle area.
Cruises are optional and availability can vary by tour and season.
Yes. Urquhart Castle sits directly on the western shore of Loch Ness, so it is possible to experience both in the same visit.
On selected multi-day tours, guests can visit Urquhart Castle, with some itineraries also offering the option to combine the castle with a short Loch Ness cruise.
Our 1-day Loch Ness tours do not include a visit to Urquhart Castle.
The amount of time at Loch Ness depends on the tour.
On our 1-day Loch Ness tours, we normally spend around 2 hours 15 minutes in Fort Augustus, giving time for lunch, exploring the village and, if chosen, an optional Loch Ness cruise.
On selected multi-day tours, time at Loch Ness may include a visit to Urquhart Castle and an optional cruise before continuing to Inverness or the wider Highlands.
Yes. Discover Scotland Tours offers Loch Ness tours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Options include 1-day Highland tours as well as multi-day journeys that combine Loch Ness with destinations such as Inverness, Glencoe, the Isle of Skye and the Northwest Highlands.
Discover Loch Ness With Us
From ancient castle ruins and mysterious legends to the dramatic scenery of the Great Glen, Loch Ness brings together many of the things that make the Scottish Highlands so memorable.
Our small-group tours from Edinburgh and Glasgow include Loch Ness on carefully planned day trips and multi-day Highland journeys, giving you time to experience the loch and its surroundings as part of a wider Scottish adventure.