Top 5 Things to Do Around Loch Ness, Scotland
Loch Ness as a Tourist Destination
The watery depth of Loch Ness carries the very mystery of the Scottish fables. When in Scotland, you might find fairies and giants closer to you than mobile phones and cars, or at least that’s what a lot of people believe. It does not matter what spectrum your belief resides; when you take that boat trip in the great lake, the strangest of thoughts seem only commonplace. The mighty expanse of the lake is said to hold more water than all the lakes of the United Kingdom. Even deeper compared to the North Sea, the water body stretches for twenty-three miles in the serene highlands. Being impressively quiet, this mysterious mass of water has a subtle effect on the senses, with unexplainable feelings emerging from the depths of the subconscious.
To be precise, Loch Ness (or the image of a huge serpent) resides in the farthest stretches of imagination that only seem too real when you are surrounded by water in the middle of nowhere. Even if you try hard not to believe in the monster, the strange fear on the skipper’s face and the reverence you perceive make you feel closer to imagination than to reality. As for believers, there are more than a thousand reported sightings of the beloved monster in the lake, well-documented in the Loch Ness Center. Visiting the interactive Loch Ness Center, by all means, can be a life-changing experience.
For all it reveals, this attraction is among the top things to do in Loch Ness, Scotland. Among other activities, you can undertake a cycling tour of the area, which is a great way to explore the vista of the lake from dry land. Setting foot in the Urquhart Castle, you can really feel why legends are so perceivably real in Scotland. The ruins of the castle stand on the shores of the lake, a silent testimony of time, time that has stood still like the mysterious blue waters.
Things To Do Around Loch Ness
1. Urquhart Castle
As the overcast skies may seem to descend like an ominous spell on the Urquhart castle, you may feel an eerie premonition that time, in the end, conquers all that remains in the mortal world. From such a perspective, a trip to the 500-year-old castle poses an existential question that may be as old as the mystery of the lake. On this day, the ruins remain to be one of the most important places to visit in Scotland.
Reminiscent of the wars between the British and the Scots and that of the highland clans, the castle has remained as a key emblem of Scottish history, of all the stories that make the Scotland of today. It was on a desolate day in 1692 when the castle was deliberately destroyed by the remaining men who marched out of it. The last spell of the ruin was cast upon by a violent storm in 1715 when the ruinous castle tower crashed to the ground.
2. Loch Ness Boat Cruise
The Loch Ness boat cruise is something of an unforgettable experience even for local residents, who live in constant awe of the great legend. While you sip your champagne and look all dreamy on the boat, there’s this undeniable eerie calmness that asks more questions to the soul than the answers it gives. The boat trips usually start from Inverness, more specifically from the Loch Ness center. That’s a great beginning because you would already have been acquainted with the myth.
Even non-believers would secretly swear that it’s the call of the fabled beast that drew them to the shores of the lake in this part of the world. The current Loch Ness boat cruise ticket price is £22.50 for adults. As for children up to 15 years old, it is £19.00, so that’s not a lot! The highlight of the cruise is the part where you cross the ruins of the castle overlooking the water, reminding you of the great wars that were once fought and the people who died.
3. The Loch Ness Centre
For many tourists, the first thing to do when they visit the area is to explore the Loch Ness Center. Located in a village at the shores of the lake, this center holds the strangest of stories that have been gathered for thousands of years, of the lake itself, of the monster who supposedly lurks beneath the depths, and of the overall legacy of the place in Scottish history. The center at Drumnadrochit is very well-maintained, blending modern technology with the archaic ethos to offer a complete overview of the experience you would expect.
As for the best time to visit Loch Ness, Scotland, you might be divided between spring and autumn. For a more adventurous trip and a relatively calmer one, you might want to explore Loch Ness in the chilly winters. Summer is the peak season, though, so expect a lot of tourist activity if you pick this time of the year. Anytime you make that trip, be ready for an unforgettable experience, from the Loch Ness Center to the boat ride that ensues.
4. Fort Augustus
It’s a lovely little village where the Loch ends and flows into the canal that passes through the sleepy Scottish town. It’s more of a place to relax and unwind, but you can also engage in adrenaline-pumping speed boat rides into the great lake.
Fort Augustus is considered a hidden gem amidst the tourist attractions in Scotland, where you can experience the relish of a rural Scottish lifestyle. Visit a local diner or hop on a cruise. The options may be limited, but it’s a great way to enjoy your trip. Don’t forget to taste the local whiskey when you are in this small village with a population of around 700 natives who reside here. There’s also this small fort, which was constructed in the 18th century following the Jacobite Rebellion, which occupies a major part of the history of Scotland. Who knows, you may be able to hear a charming tune on the bagpiper by some distant relative of William Augustus! It’s well worth a visit, especially if you love the laid-back Scottish lifestyle.
5. Falls of Foyers
While exploring Loch Ness as a tourist destination, there’s another hidden gem that glistens with sparkling sunshine. As your tidings lead you to the village of Foyers, you would rather feel happy to discover that the calm lake is connected to a lovely waterfall right here. To be sure, visiting the waterfall is one of the best things to do while exploring Loch Ness as a tourist destination. The drop is 140 feet deep, and the water cascade can be very dramatic, from a trickle on one day to a heavy gush for the next day after a night of rainfall.
The surrounding trees and the spring blossoms (if you are visiting in April-May) look exceedingly beautiful. There’s an upper viewpoint and a lower one, with either one offering plenty of photogenic moments. If you feel famished after the trip, treat yourself to a cup of tea and a well-earned slice of cake at the local café. This one-day trip is refreshing and will remain in your memories as one of the pleasantest moments of visiting Scotland.
