Loch Ness Experience Day Trip from Inverness
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the mysterious Loch Ness
- Visit the historic Urquhart Castle
- Stroll through Fort Augustus village
- Enjoy scenic Scottish Highlands views
- Learn about local legends and history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Inverness
- Guided tour of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
- Free time in Fort Augustus village
- Food and drinks
Itinerary
The tour begins in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This is were our knowledgeable guide will meet you. You will then travel south to Dochgarroch and the start of the Caledonian Canal and the head of Loch Ness.
Here, you will be able to join a cruise along the canal and Loch Ness. Loch Ness is the largest body of water in Britain by volume; incredibly, all lakes and rivers of England and Wales would fit in it. With these dimensions, it’s not surprising that a monster is believed to live in the depth of the Loch. The famous “Nessie” was first seen by St. Columba in the mid-6th century. But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the mysterious creature came to widespread notice when it was seen again by an American couple. Since then, there have been thousands of sightings, and who knows? Maybe you will be the next to spot it.
After joining the optional cruise along Loch Ness, it will take you to Urquhart Castle which is perched on the banks of the loch. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. You’ll have time to explore the castle before getting back onto your waiting mini-bus.
We’ll continue on to Invermoriston to see the iconic bridge and waterfalls. At certain times of the year, you may be able to see the salmon leaping here.
Our lunch stop is Fort Augustus, a pretty village at the south end of Loch Ness. This village offers stunning views up the loch. Visitors can also enjoy a visit to the Caledonian Canal Centre and learn about the history of the canal. Or just sit back and watch the boats navigating the locks.
We will then visit the Falls of Foyers. First, a short but spectacular walk. The pathway winds you through stunning woodland, where you must look out for the illusive red squirrels which will then lead you to an impressive waterfall. This is a breath-taking waterfall with a 140ft drop into a gorge that winds its way through tall trees until it eventually meets Loch Ness.
Our final stop of the day will be at Dores Beach, a stunning spot which offers undisturbed views down the loch, for one last chance to spot Nessie!
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
- Be prepared for a full-day excursion with minimal breaks.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
- Don't forget your camera to capture the breathtaking scenery.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Children under 3 years not accepted. Proof of ID for children may be required at check in.
Traveler reviews
Tabbi the wonderful guide
We had an excellent one-day Inverness tour with Highland Experience Tours, and our guide, Tabbi, made it truly memorable. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and kept the day engaging with fascinating stories about the Highlands, local history, and Scottish culture. The itinerary was well paced, and she ensured everyone was comfortable while making the most of every stop. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor made the journey even more enjoyable. We had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend Tabbi and Highland Experience Tours to anyone visiting the Scottish Highlands. Thank you for a wonderful day!
Boo.
Maybe this tour would have been amazing, but we will never know as the company cancelled on us the morning of our tour. We were literally at the pick up stop asking another tour coordinator where our vehicle was, when we were informed that the tour we'd booked six months ago was cancelled due to an emergency. We are not unreasonable people, but having no kind of back up is not the best way to run a business. As a result, the tour we'd booked to Isle of Skye (and the whole reason for our visit to Inverness) was cancelled with only a choice of rescheduling the trip two days later - when we were scheduled to leave for Edinburgh. There was zero flexibility with our plans, and I was devastated. Luckily we were able to get a last minute booking with Happy Tours, but the cost was almost double what we had planned to pay with Highland Experience.
Unexpected highlights, beautiful nature
It was an amazing experience, i liked the picturesque Scotiah landscape! The only negative was the time near the lake Loch Ness was too short and there were no paths around the lake to walk on. Nothing much to do unless you pay for a cruise. The guide was nice and the rest of the tour very interesting and beautiful.
Incredibly Beautiful & Thorough Experience!
Highly recommend this one-day tour around Loch Ness and Isle of Sky from Inverness. It was nearly a 12-hour day, so be sure to back some coffee, water, and snacks - but the long day was SO worth it! Our guide, Alex, was very well-studied on Scottish history, folklore, and even had an excellent Scottish playlist whilst driving through the Highlands. We were fortunate to experience all four seasons in one day, accompanied by several rainbows, and had plentiful time at each location to take photos and appreciate the beautiful aspects of every stop. The group size was just right (15), and the value for the price was shockingly good. Admission to Eilean Donan castle is not included, but definitely worth spending the extra money to get the full experience. Would highly recommend to any adventurers who want to see all around the Highlands & Isle of Skye but lack other means of transportation!
Taste of the Highlands
Did the monster, mountain, massacre tour - great taste of the highlands. Beautiful even in winter with snow! Alan was a great guide and driver. Learned so much from him!