Bring your own boat, hire a cruiser or charter a yacht for a canal holiday, take a day-trip on Loch Ness, or stay on a hotel boat or holiday barge. Take in the spectacular Scottish scenery and amazing wildlife. Boating on the Caledonian Canal is unlike any other canal boat experience in the UK.
How long does the Loch Ness cruise last?
Home of the famous Loch Ness monster
The loch is 23 miles long and up to a mile wide, cruising time for the whole loch is approximately 3-4 hours, depending on conditions.
How long should you spend in Loch Ness?
Loch Ness is a vast and ancient loch, full of history, legend and romance. It takes around 2.5 hours to drive around the whole loch, and there is plenty to see on the way. So if you only have one day to experience it, take a Loch Ness day trip and see some of the highlights.
Where do Loch Ness cruises leave from?
Daily Cruises
Departing from Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness, you’ll soon be treated to the breath-taking vista of Loch Ness in all its natural wonder. Our custom built vessels are the perfect way to experience the sights, wildlife and history of the famous loch.
Can you take a boat on Loch Ness? – Related Questions
Is Urquhart Castle worth visiting?
Halfway up the loch, on the western shore, is Urquhart Castle. This is the most scenic spot to view Loch Ness and the prime location to spot Nessie. If visiting Scottish castles excites you, Urquhart Castle is a great one to visit. It has a stunning location with the loch as a backdrop.
How do I get from Edinburgh to Loch Ness?
To get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh, you’ll need to take the train to Inverness. There are direct trains that run throughout the day, with the journey taking around 3hr30m. From Inverness, take a bus to Loch Ness. Make sure to check the bus times in advance, since they do not always run frequently.
Where does the Caledonian Canal start and finish?
The Caledonian Canal is Scotland’s longest inland waterway. It runs from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east and follows the course of the Great Glen – a 100km long narrow valley – and cuts through Lochs Oich, Lochy and Ness.
Can you take dogs on Loch Lomond cruises?
Pets. Dogs welcome on all cruises.
Is there parking at Urquhart Castle?
Parking is free, but must be booked online in advance.
There is a level, tarmac surfaced car park with accessible bays.
Are dogs allowed at Urquhart Castle?
Note that it’s not possible to take a dog on the cruises that visit Urquhart Castle, as dogs are not allowed at that site.
Are Loch Ness Cruises dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome on board the contemplation, however must be booked on (free of charge) at the checkout. We allow a maximum of 5 dogs to join us on our sailings. Cruise the Canal & Loch, with castle views as you follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria on this two-hour cruise.
Can you see Urquhart Castle without paying?
You have to go through the visitor centre to get to the ruins, so you have to pay the admission fee. A large area of the Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre is dedicated to a cafe and gift shop.
Do you have to pay to see Loch Ness?
It doesn’t cost anything to take in the splendour of Loch Ness and have a walk along its shores. There are plenty of great walks and hikes you can enjoy that don’t cost a penny (though you might want to take a packed lunch).
Where is the best view of Loch Ness?
5 Unmissable Viewpoints on the Loch Ness 360° Trail
- Inverness Castle. This is a viewpoint that is right in the centre of Inverness!
- Dores Beach. Not all viewpoints require a climb.
- Falls of Foyers. Watching the Falls of Foyers cascade down into the gorge below is a great sight.
- Suidhe Viewpoint.
- Urquhart Castle.
Do you have to book to go to Loch Ness?
There is plenty of parking, you will need to take your own waterproofs at the moment and you must be book in advance!. Prepare yourself for your exhilarating adventure on Loch Ness. Enjoy speeding your way down the vast Loch Ness, taking in some truly special historical sights but at a much more exciting pace.
Which side of Loch Ness is better?
If you prefer to see the “quiet” side of Loch Ness, head down the South Side of Loch Ness on the B852 towards Dores and Foyers, where you will find lovely walks, quiet picnic spots and amazing viewpoints! Not to mention, the South Loch Ness Trail, which is the perfect way to explore the area.
Do you get midges at Loch Ness?
In the Inverness and Loch Ness area, most places by the coast and along Loch Ness are pretty much midge free, but in other places like Glen Affric you are more likely to encounter them.
Can you walk around Loch Ness?
Developed by Visit Inverness Loch Ness, the Loch Ness 360° Trail connects the Great Glen Way with the South Loch Ness Trail creating a new long-distance walking, cycling and horseriding route around Loch Ness stretching for 80 miles. Walking this Scottish trail should take around six days to complete the entire loop.
How do you get around Loch Ness?
You can easily drive around the famous Loch taking in the views, but for the more adventurous, why not walk, cycle or horse ride on the new Loch Ness 360 Trail, a 80 miles long scenic circular route taking in the route of the Great Glen Way on the north side and South Loch Ness Trail on the south side.
Can you get to Loch Ness without a car?
Inverness and Loch Ness’ main visitor attractions can be easily reached by public transport. One great way to get around is the City Sightseeing bus. The service has two routes around the city taking you to major attractions like the Culloden Battlefield and to Loch Ness and dolphin cruises.