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Whether you are road-tripping Scotland in search of Nessie or planning a visit from Inverness, there are heaps of things to do at Loch Ness. From viewpoints to boat rides and leisurely hikes to wild swims, the following attractions are recommended for first-time visitors. I’ve also shared my experience throughout.
What to Do at Loch Ness During Your First Visit
Fort Augustus
I find Fort Augustus fascinating as it is located on the 60-mile Caledonian Canal, sandwiched between Fort William and Inverness and at the heart of the Great Glen.
Here, you can grab lunch from one of the cafes that line the canal and watch the water flow between sections—it’s hypnotising!
If you time it right, you might see a boat traverse the swing bridge.
The civil engineer, Thomas Telford, is responsible for this impressive canal system and for connecting the Lowlands with the Scottish Highlands.
Learn more about the locks’ history at the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, which has a cafe, gift store, and toilets.
Tip: Fort Augustus is a busy town during summer but it does have a large car park.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a freshwater loch with the largest volume of fresh water in Great Britain; it is said to have more water than all of the lakes in England and Wales!
Since St Augustus is at the southern tip of Loch Ness, it is an ideal location to hop aboard a Nessie hunting cruise.
It has a depth of 788ft (240m), but it isn’t the deepest; that’s Loch Morar, and a length of around 23m (36 km), but it doesn’t have the largest surface; Loch Lomond does.
Nessie Boat Tour
The first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster is documented as being in the 7th century when Saint Columba stopped the beast from devouring a fellow monk.
Today, hundreds of thousands of people visit Loch Ness on the lookout for this creature.
There’s even a movie based on the myth starring Ted Danson!
Loch Ness cruises leave from St. Augustus and feature two decks, upper and lower.
The upper deck has a shaded roof and open sides, with the best photo spot being the back.
The bottom deck is fully enclosed and has toilets and a bar.
Those interested in the area’s history and sea life can listen to a live talk on this level.
There is standing space at the back of the lower deck, but it is quite noisy.
Tip: Pack layers, as it does get windy up top; check out our packing list for more advice.
Even if you don’t see Nessie gliding through the dark waters, you can buy various souvenirs, from soft toys to kitchenware, at one of the gift shops!
I’ve done this tour and lucked out with the weather on a random day in March.
Want to know the best time to visit Scotland?
I go through each month and season in this guide.
Allt na Criche
Escape the crowds at Fort Augustus for the scenic viewpoint of Allt na Criche.
Hike among the birch and pine trees, looking out for red squirrels and deer on your way to views over Loch Ness.
Before you start your trek, expect to walk for around one hour, with the bonus of passing waterfalls.
Free parking is available at this site, but there are no toilet facilities, so use the fee-paying loos in St Augustus before you leave.
I didn’t have time to do this walk but the car park looked relatively quick late afternoon midweek in July.
Logistics note: The attractions mentioned in this guide follow a Loch Ness road trip itinerary, which means that the next suggestion (Urquhart Castle) is the next stop you’ll make when driving.
I also created this convenient road trip video, which you can view on Instagram or TikTok.
Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit
Often used as a promotional photo of Scotland, Urquhart Castle is a ruin perched on the shores of Loch Ness.
This medieval landmark doesn’t just look like a scene from Game of Thrones, it also provides just as much drama.
From the Wars of Independence, the Lords of the Isles, and Jacobite Risings, Urquhart has been hot property for over 1,000 years.
The entry ticket is part of the Historic Scotland (find out more about their Explorer Pass here) network and includes a self-paced audio guide and access to areas like a prison cell and the Great Hall; you could easily spend over an hour at the site.
There is also a cafe, toilets, a gift store, and parking.
You are advised to reserve tickets in advance and check the events calendar to see what’s on during your visit to Loch Ness.
Note: Due to the nature of the castle ruins, this activity is not wheel-friendly.
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Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
The village of Drumnadrochit is known as the home of Nessie, and hunters can discover more about previous sightings at the interactive Loch Ness Exhibition Centre.
The museum is located in the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, which was owned by the first (modern) Nessie spotter, Mrs Aldie MacKay, in 1933.
MacKay describes the Loch Ness Monster as “black, wet, with the water rolling off it”—is it a coincidence that MacKay benefited financially from the tourism this sighting of the “beast” brought?
Is the 7th-century sighting by Saint Columba true?
Did he demand the monster to disappear and never be seen again?
Budding scientists can test theories while they walk through the impressive modern exhibition, which features virtual actors in vintage settings.
Plodda Falls
Just under an hour’s drive from Drumnadrochit is the gorgeous Plodda Falls, nestled among Douglas fir, grand fir, larch, and redwood trees near Glen Affric.
Several parts of the waterfall can be seen throughout the woodland walk.
Visitors can see the 46m waterfall from above or trek down to the second viewing platform, which provides clearer views.
There are also two woodland trails, depending on your time.
There is a small, free car park but no toilets and the drive there is a little bumpy.
Visit Inverness
The northeastern city of Inverness is the largest in the Scottish Highlands and is home to accommodation (apartments, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and campsites), restaurants, pubs, and tourist attractions.
Things to do include visiting Inverness Cathedral, built in 1869 by Alexander Ross, shopping at Scotland’s second-largest bookstore, Leakey’s, and listening to live music at Hootananny.
There’s lots of choice when it comes to food – grab something quick at the Victorian Market, enjoy a craft beer and pizza at Black Isle Bar, or try a dining event at Downright Gabbler (Beauly).
Day trips to historical locations include Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns.
Read our guide on things to do in Inverness for more ideas.
Now that we’ve made our way up the touristy side, let’s explore the Loch Ness activities on the lesser-visited.
Dores Beach
Dores Beach offers impressive views that stretch down the loch and access to the Torr Point trail (7km / 4.25 miles).
Wild swimmers launch from this Loch Ness beach, and there is a pub with a restaurant close to its shore.
Parking is available at the restaurant and across the road, less than five minutes walk away.
I did an early evening dip here, and it was beautiful.
However, the pebbles are pretty loose, so wear good-quality swim shoes with stiff soles.
Note: The “b” roads on this side of Loch Ness are sometimes narrow and require the use of passing places where you pull over to let other drivers by.
Falls of Foyers
Loch Ness doesn’t just offer one waterfall; it has two!
Located across from the Waterfall Cafe, the Falls of Foyers out-and-back trail takes approximately ten minutes to walk down the structure’s woodland steps and fifteen minutes back up.
You can see Loch Ness through the trees as you walk to the waterfall.
There are two viewing platforms, with the bottom giving a full view of the waterfall – add ten minutes to your itinerary if you plan to visit both.
I visited after four days of dry weather and still saw a decent flow, but some reviews mention that they barely got a dribble, whereas Plodda Falls guarantees a full flow all year round.
Parking (fee) with bathrooms is located next to the Waterfall Cafe, which serves hot and cold food indoors and on the patio.
The Camerons Tea Rooms
If you are looking for lunch with a log fire, consider The Camerons Tea Rooms.
The menu includes soups, light snacks, homemade cakes, and a very British afternoon tea platter featuring a mix of sweet and savoury snacks and a cup of tea.
There is a window seat that gives a full-length view out onto the field.
You might just see a Highland coo, too.
Whitebridge Hotel
For pub grub with big portions and unusual decor, reserve a table at the Whitebridge Hotel.
We dined here for dinner and managed to nab the last two-seater, calling ahead an hour before.
The menu includes traditional Scottish food with some additions and specials.
I got the mac and cheese and couldn’t finish it, shame as the puddings (desserts) sound great.
Loch Tarff Viewpoint
The Loch Tarff Viewpoint on the B862 is a less talked about scenic spot.
There is a free car park, and visitors suggest looking for wildlife like deer and stags.
The B862 was part of General Wade’s Military Roads, which the British Government paved to control the Jacobite rebellion.
This loch is the crown of the South Loch Ness trail, and the route around it is fun to drive.
Suidhe Viewpoint
You can take advantage of the panoramic views of Loch Ness and Loch Tarff by pulling up near the Suidhe Viewpoint and walking 20 minutes to the top.
Suidhe Viewpoint is less than a 10-minute drive from Fort Augustus.
I completely missed this viewpoint! Let me know if you make it.
Final Words
You could easily spend a week getting to know the above Loch Ness attractions, learning about the local history that has significantly impacted the rest of the country, and determining whether Nessie is a myth or a living day monster!
However, not every visitor has ample time to spend in Scotland, so the above guide has set out the highlights so you can pick and choose activities that best meet your interests.
What do you plan to do around Loch Ness? Tell me in the comments.
Don’t forget to join the free Hiya Scotland Facebook group today to meet fellow fans planning their trips to Caledonia.
If you need any help with logistics, please get in contact.
