Loch Ness might be famous across the world for Nessie – the rumoured monster said to patrol its waters – but there’s a lot more to Loch Ness than mythological oversized swimming dinosaurs. Just a 30-minute drive from all of our Inverness hotels, Loch Ness is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK and a must-visit if you’re in the area, thanks to its jaw-dropping scenery.
The loch – or lake – is the deepest in the UK, and at 23 miles long, it is the largest volume of water in Britain. It’s bigger than both Loch Lomond and Lake Windermere and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales. At its deepest, the waters plunge down for 230 metres and, due to its high peat content, are a murky brown colour. This makes it even harder to spot and verify the existence of Nessie.
Nessie was first ‘spotted’ back in 1933 and is said to have an unusually long neck and several humps emerging from the water. There are a few heavily disputed photos and sonar readings said to prove its existence, but a trip to the nearby Nessieland and the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition might help sway your thinking.
Thankfully, there’s a lot more to explore besides waiting for a fictional animal to rear its long neck. Take a boat trip along the gorgeous loch, try your hand at fishing or spend a day horse riding, but make sure to stop off at Urquhart Castle. It’s a stunning ruined castle dating back to 1509 that is nestled on the banks of the loch. Once one of Scotland’s biggest castles, it was originally a Pictish stronghold in the 6th or 7th century and now offers amazing views across the loch and the Great Glen.