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City guide

Loch Ness, Scotland

Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end.

Type City

Why go

  • Lake in Scotland.
  • Known for Lochness Monster, Loch Ness Monster.
  • Served by Fort Augustus Airstrip.

History

Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Loch Ness is best known for claimed sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie".

Restaurants & places to go

Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · Village Green,… · thenessdeli.wordpress.com
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Th-Su 16:00-22:00 · Drumnadrochit, IV63 6UG
Indoor
Burger, Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:30-21:00
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Fr 10:00-15:00; Sa 10:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · Drumnadrochit, IV63 6TU · lochnessdrumnadrochit.cobbshotels.com
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: 09:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · Drumnadrochit, IV63 6UL
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 10:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · 4, IV63 6AG
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: We-Su 12:00-17:00
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Dec-Feb 10:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access
Indoor
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant
Indoor

Airports

Inverness Airport (INV) 25 mi to the centre
Inverness, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Flybe, easyJet) · direct flights to 11 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 11 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Fort Augustus Airstrip 12 mi to the centre
Glendoe, SCT, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Urquhart Castle
Ferry terminal · 3.9 mi from the centre
Outdoor

Where to stay

Golf Course Road, Fort Augustus PH32 4BY, United Kingdom · kettlehouselochness.co.uk
Indoor
Taigh Sealladh Fèidh, Aberchalder, Invergarry PH35 4HT, United Kingdom · tsfhighlands.co.uk
Indoor
Foresters Lodge, Farigaig, Inverfarigaig, Inverness IV2 6XR, United Kingdom · foresters-lodge.com
Indoor
shire, General Wade's Military Rd, Foyers, Inverness IV2 6XT, United Kingdom · foyerslodge.co.uk
Indoor
Whitebridge, Stratherrick, Inverness IV2 6UN, United Kingdom · whitebridgehotel.co.uk
Indoor
Monument Park Lower, Foyers, Inverness IV2 6YH, United Kingdom · campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Indoor
A82, Fort Augustus PH32 4DU, United Kingdom · thelovat.com
Indoor
Fort Augustus PH32 4BQ, United Kingdom · booking.com
Indoor
Dundreggan Estate, Glenmoriston, Inverness IV63 7YJ, United Kingdom · visitdundreggan.co.uk
Indoor
Bunoich Brae, Fort Augustus PH32 4DG, United Kingdom · moragslodge.com
Indoor
Fort Augustus, Inverness-shire PH32 4BL, United Kingdom · inchhotel.com
Indoor
shire, Main Street, Fort Augustus, Inverness PH32 4BD, United Kingdom · richmondhousehotel.com
Indoor
Foyers, Inverness IV2 6YB, United Kingdom · foyersbay.co.uk
Indoor
shire, Appin, inverness road, fort augustus, inverness, Fort Augustus PH32 4DH, United Kingdom · samantalovestotravel.com
Indoor
Canal Side, Fort Augustus PH32 4BA, United Kingdom
Indoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Fort Augustus Airstrip. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 12 mi (nearest: Urquhart Castle, 3.9 mi).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Loch Ness, Scotland. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences

Boat Tour