Around Loch Ness
Contents |
Drumnadrochit
The beautiful village of Drumnadrochit, 15 miles south of Inverness is home to the World Famous Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (Formerly Loch Ness 2000). Established in 1980, The Exhibition Centre (www.lochness.com) has long been the most popular Visitor Attraction in The Highlands of Scotland. Today it proudly boasts a 5 Star Visitor Attraction Status from The Scottish Tourist Board. This was achieved in 2007. The Exhibition itself has been written, designed and narrated by well known scientist and foremost authority on the subject, Adrian Shine. With 7 themed chambers the Loch Ness Exhibition keeps the mystery centre stage but seeks to give visitors the opportunity to learn about the Loch and its wider significance. Its the special things about Loch Ness that you cant see by looking at it that are explained in this interpretation Centre. It is well worth a stop and while you are there, you will also be impressed by the vast Retail Complex that includes the following shopping outlets:
- The Whisky Shop (Over 1000 different Whiskies)
- The Cashmere and Woolens Shop
- The Nessie Shop (Est 1980, Official Merchandise)
- The House of Heraldry (Research your Clan History)
- Tartans
- Local Crafts
- Boat Cruises (Deepscan)
see also 3D Loch Ness Experience which is in the Royal Mile in Edinburgh
There are also onsite Catering facilities based at The Drumnadrochit Hotel for your convenience. The Loch Ness Cafe provides everything you need for refreshemnt and an excellent lunch Menu.
During the summer months you may also wish to take a boat cruise aboard "Deepscan" with the experienced skipper John Minshull who has assisted with the Loch Ness Project (lochnessproject.com) for more than 20 years.
Be sure to look for The 5 Star VisitScotland Logo's and if you are approaching from the village of Drumnadrochit on the A82, make sure that you turn right over the bridge and look for The Old Baronial Building that now houses The Loch Ness Centre.
Contact details and Opening Hours.
- Easter - May (09:30am - 17:30pm)
- June and September (09:00am - 6:00pm)
- July and August (09:00am - 20:00pm)
- October (9:30am - 17:30pm)
- November - Easter (10:00am - 15:30pm)
Telephone - Loch Ness Exhibition - + 44 (0) 1456 450 573
- Drumnadrochit Hotel - + 44 (0) 1456 450 218
- Loch Ness Retail Centre - +44 (0) 1456 450 321
- Fax - Loch Ness Exhibition Centre + 44 (0) 1456 450 770
- Web: www.lochness.com
- Email: info@lochness.com
If it all gets too much, then fear not, for Drumnadrochit gives easy access to one of the most beautiful corners of Scotland. The A831 heads west from the village through Glen Urquhart to Cannich, about 12 miles away, at the head of Glen Affric, a great place for walking or enjoying a picnic. If the weather's good, hiring bikes in Drumnadrochit (see below) and cycling into Glen Affric makes for a great day out. There's also pony trekking at the Highland Riding Centre, Tel. 450358, at Borlum Farm.
Sleeping & eating
There's a wide range of accommodation on offer in and around the village of Drumnadrochit. If you can afford it, your best bet is to head for Polmaily House Hotel, 3 miles from Drumnadrochit on the A831 to Cannich, in Glen Urquhart, Tel. 450343, Fax. 450813, polmailyhousehotel@btinternet.com 10 rooms. A comfortable, child-friendly country house far enough away from the madding crowd to offer peace and quiet, many walks nearby, also tennis courts, horse riding and covered pool, and a good restaurant.
In the village itself is The Benleva Hotel, Tel. 450288, Fax. 450781. Small, family-run hotel with bar and dining room. There are numerous B&Bs, including the excellent Drumbuie Farm, Tel. 450634, Fax. 450595, a modern farmhouse on the right as you enter the village from Inverness, with its own herd of Highland cattle. D Gillyflowers, Tel./Fax. 450641, gillyflowers@cali.co.uk, is good value.
Cheaper still is the Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge, at Coiltie Farmhouse in East Lewiston, Tel. 450807, immediately south of Drumnadrochit, on the left. It's open all year, has excellent facilities, and arranges boat trips and local walks.
Other than the hotels, which all serve decent bar food, there's the Glen Restaurant, Tel. 450282, which offers simple fare; and, next door, the more upmarket Fiddler's Bistro, Tel. 450678, where you can also hire mountain bikes.
Romantic and lavish cottage on Loch Ness, ideal for two, honeymoon or just romance. details about Loch Ness View Cottage
Transport
Citylink buses between Inverness and Fort William stop at Drumnadrochit several times daily in either direction. Additional services run between Inverness and Urquhart Castle during the summer months. There are also buses from Inverness to Cannich and Tomich, via Drumnadrochit.
Castle Urquhart
A few miles south of Drumnadrochit are the ruins of Castle Urquhart. The castle bears the scars of centuries of fighting but its setting, perched on a rocky cliff on the loch's edge, is magnificent and, not surprisingly, one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland. Dating from the 14th century, the castle was a strategic base, guarding the Great Glen during the long Wars of Independence. It was taken by Edward I, held by Robert the Bruce against Edward II, and was then almost constantly under siege before being destroyed in 1692 to prevent it from falling into Jacobite hands. Most of the existing buildings date from the 16th century, including the five-storey tower, the best-preserved part of the complex, from where you get great views of the loch and surrounding hills. At the time of writing, there are plans to build a new visitor centre. Info - Apr-Sep daily 0930-1830; Oct-Mar daily 0930-1630, £6.50, concession £5, children £2.50. Tel.01456-450551.
Invermoriston
Between Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus is the tiny village of Invermoriston, probably the nicest spot on the entire Inverness to Fort Augustus stretch of the A82. It's a beautiful little piece of Highland scenery, with a photogenic old stone bridge over foaming river rapids. There are marked woodland trails leading off into the hills past some lovely waterfalls.
At Invermoriston the A887 heads west through Glen Moriston to meet the A87, which runs from Invergarry all the way through the rugged and dramatic Glen Shiel and under the shadow of the Five Sisters of Kintail en route to Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye.
Sleeping
There are several B&Bs in the village and, a few miles to the north on the main A82 overlooking Loch Ness, is the SYHA Loch Ness Youth Hostel, Tel. 351274, open mid-Mar to end Oct. 1€ miles south of Invermoriston, and 6 miles north of Fort Augustus, is the Loch Ness Caravan & Camping Park, Tel. 351207, right on the shores of the loch with great views and excellent facilities (open Easter-Oct).
Self catering Cottages in Invermoriston
- Invermoriston, By Loch Ness Sleeps 6
- Glen Moriston, nr. Invermoriston Sleeps 4