Loch Ness

The world famous loch in the Highlands Of Scotland

If you’re planning a holiday in Scotland, or a visit to the UK from abroad you really should put Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland at the top of your list of UK holiday destinations.

Loch Ness is situated on the north eastern end of The Great Glen. Our accommodation at the Highland Club, at Fort Augustus Abbey sits on the southern shores of Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland. We also have a number of self catering cottages that are close to the centre of Fort Augustus village and the shores of Loch Ness.

Loch Ness

This beautiful loch (another word for lake) is 23 miles long and 1 mile wide and extremely deep. In fact, Loch Ness is the largest body of freshwater in Britain and contains more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined.

There are many places, whilst staying at any of the Aonach Mor properties, to sit and watch, or just relax by this mysterious and most beautiful body of water.

The Loch Ness Monster

The legend of the Loch Ness Monster has deep roots in Scottish folklore, with tales of a mysterious creature living in the depths of Loch Ness, dating back centuries.

Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster was first sighted by Saint Columba in 565 AD. There have been many sightings since this time and all we can do is to keep looking for our own sighting! Learn more about the Loch Ness Monster at the nearby Loch Ness Centre.

Some stories describe encounters with a large aquatic beast, while others attribute strange occurrences on the lake to the creature.

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. The site is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

Visitors can explore the ruins, climb the Grant Tower for panoramic views of Loch Ness and learn about the castle’s history through exhibits and displays.

The castle is situated near the village of Drumnadrochit and is known for its picturesque setting, rich history and association with the legendary Loch Ness monster. Today, the castle stands mostly in ruins, but some parts of the structure are still intact. The ruins provide visitors with a sense of the castle’s former grandeur and its strategic importance in the region.

Urquhart Castle is not only a historic site but also a symbol of Scotland’s medieval past, and its stunning location on the shores of Loch Ness makes it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

The Loch Ness Marathon

The monster is not the only long-running legend in the area, as Loch Ness is also home to one of the best marathons in the UK, usually run in September.

It is the biggest in Scotland which takes place in a rural setting and brings lots of opportunities for all kinds of runners to take part, either in the marathon or one of the associated running events.

Plenty else to see and do…

The central location of Loch Ness makes it an ideal location to stay and tour the Highlands – including castles, hiking, walking, climbing, golf, fishing and distilleries – there’s something for everyone!

Boat trips and cruises

There are two distinct boat trips you can enjoy on Loch Ness and both are moored just outside The Abbey grounds.

Cruising on beautiful Loch Ness on the Royal Scot is one of the best ways to enjoy some of the Highland’s stunning scenery. Or enjoy the unique, fast and exhilarating rigid inflatable boat (RIB) trip accessing loch-side areas which are otherwise inaccessible to larger cruises.