When in Inverness, a day trip to Loch Ness is a must-do. Not only can you hunt for the elusive Nessie, but you can see some of the most incredible scenery in Britain. Of course – any day trip to Loch Ness needs to involve a boat crossing to Urquhart Castle, one of the most scenic medieval structures in Scotland.
We loved our day trip here during our tour of Scotland last year. Here is my quick guide to help you plan your day.
A Day Trip to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle | Your Quick Guide
Getting to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
First up, I would say that you should join a guided tour to get the most out of your visit to Loch Ness. We went through Jacobite Tours and opted for the half-day return. This cost us £21.00 each and included a 50 minute tour of the lake, entry to Urquhart Castle and a bus ride back to Inverness. I genuinely thought that this tour was excellent and would highly recommend it.
If you just fancy exploring the castle and take in the views of the Loch, but without going on a boat, then I would suggest driving. The distance to Urquhart Castle from Inverness is around 18 miles, and it will take you about half an hour to get there. Alternatively, the Scottish Citylink runs regularly from Farraline Park directly to the castle.
Visiting Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle is one of the most famous, and best-preserved, castles in the Scottish Highlands. The castle dates back all the way to the 13th century, where it stood as a key defensive structure before being destroyed in the Jacobite wars. Any day trip to Loch Ness has to stop here; I promise that the views are worth it. Prices start at £14.00 per adult and £8.50 per child if you order your tickets online.
Here are the best things to do whilst at the castle:
- Spend time to explore the extensive castle ruins. You can see the Great Hall and the old dungeons, alongside the defensive walls that line Loch Ness. There are plenty of points to learn about the castle’s vast history too, including the role it played in the Jacobite rebellion.
- Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of heights, you do get some amazing views from the top of Grant Tower. In all honesty, they have to be some of the best of the Loch.
- I really liked the Café at Urquhart Castle. It had a fantastic position for more views of the Loch and had an excellent selection of drinks and food. There was also a really good gift shop!
What Can I do at Loch Ness?
If you have driven to Urquhart Castle, then I would spend the time exploring Loch Ness. It spans over 22 miles and is surrounded by the gorgeous hills of the fabled Scottish Highlands, making it one of the most scenic destinations in Europe. What’s better is that it is like this all year. Summer is of course magical with the sparkling water, but winter and autumn add a bit of mystery to the water and the surrounding villages.
Whatever you choose to do during your day trip to Loch Ness, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. However, here are some of my favourites:
- Of course, the best thing to do is a boat tour. I’ve put a link above to our tour (which included tickets to the castle), however there are longer cruises that run too. Most of these run from Inverness and you can find them at the Tourism Centre. Alternatively, Get Your Guide has a great selection.
- If you have a car, head to Drumnadrochit. This is home to the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, where you can learn all about the famous history and mythology of the Loch. If you are fascinated by the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, this is perfect.
- As with everywhere in the Highlands, the Loch is a great place for a walk. The shores around Dores Beach are particularly beautiful, as is Aldourie.
Final Thoughts | Day Trip to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
A day trip to Loch Ness has to be up there as one of the top things to do in Scotland. I love the Highlands and all that they offer; you learn so much about Scottish heritage and the scenery is truly captivating. I hope that you enjoyed reading this post and found it useful to plan your future adventure to the Loch in search of Nessie. If you have any questions, please do reach out. I always love hearing from you.
