Legendary Waters: A Journey to Loch Ness from Aviemore

This is a Scottish bucket list must, isn’t it? Heading to the eerie and famous Loch Ness to hunt for the enigmatic Loch Ness monster. We call her Nessie to make her seem less threatening, but let’s be honest... if she’s real, she’d be more powerful than us wee mortals.

But that’s the question, isn’t it? Is she real? Now it’s your turn to make up your own mind. We depart the quaint town of Aviemore and head towards a body of water famous around the world. We travel north from Aviemore over Highland rivers and rugged mountains, taking in the varied countryside as you descend into the Great Glen – a rift valley fault that is millions of years old. And now it’s time to take in the most dramatic view of Loch Ness from the tiny settlement of Dores.

From this striking introduction to Scotland we drive to Dochgarroch Locks on the Caledonian Canal where you will embark on an hour-long cruise of this most famous of lochs.

Your cruise takes you up the 19th-century canal, through Loch Dochfour and onto Loch Ness. After an hour of sailing on the dark, deep,  waters hiding Nessie you arrive in a most splendid manner at the impressive Urquhart Castle.

You have an hour to explore this ruined stronghold with a most spectacular view of the loch. You then meet up with your Driver-Guide at the Visitor Centre car park.

We'll take a detour through the Highland’s capital city of Inverness for a brief stop beside the river for refreshments. Then we take the road back into the Cairngorm National Park towards Aviemore, where you arrive in the afternoon.

*Please note that we will operate a different itinerary during the winter months due to changes in timetables. During winter the tour will be: Dores for views of Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit for lunch, drive to Urquhart Castle for a 1-hour visit, then a 30-minute cruise before returning to Aviemore via Inverness. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

All Aviemore tours depart from the Highland Aviemore Resort, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH221PN

Stops:

Loch Ness - There are more mysteries here than just Nessie. Now is your chance to hop on an boat cruise and discover this eerie loch for yourself

Dores - Quaint. Wee. Peaceful. This tiny Highland village is graced with a beach and stunning views across Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle - These dramatic ruins once served as a royal castle for several Scottish monarchs, including King Robert the Bruce

Dochgarroch Locks - This feat of 19th-century engineering was designed by Thomas Telford to provide safe passage for ships across Scotland

Inverness - Enjoy a riverside break in the Capital of the Highlands

The Great Glen - Marvel at this impressive rift valley fault that is millions of years old... perhaps older than Nessie herself

Finishes (approx.) 16:30 

Aviemore Drop Off, Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH221PN