Loch Ness

Cruises either begin at Fort Augustus or Dochgarroch Lock just outside Inverness. Fort Augustus is smaller and less busy than Inverness and may be a nicer place to stop...

Hi, Sherry,

Accommodation in Inverness tends to fill up quickly in August, so you should start looking soon. We have stayed at the Premier Inn West, which is about 100 yards from the Caledonian Canal, and close to the Loch Ness cruises. It's not fancy, but it is quite comfortable.

There are also lots of B&Bs along Glenurquhart Road (A82), which is the main road through Inverness leading to Loch Ness.

Best wishes.

Mike (Auchterless)

Thanks Mike! We have stayed in Premier Inns before and find them quite suitable. Will book soon.

are you really sure that you want to boat on that loch? Nessie may come up under ye and toss ye in the water and finish ye!!!!

What would the family say?

😂😂😂 I have been warned!

Nigel, so you're suggesting we take out life insurance policies?

Quick question: Do you folks recommend a cruise or hiking along the shore?

Google "Nessie Moves to North Carolina". She/he may not even be at Loch Ness when you go.

Do you folks recommend a cruise or hiking along the shore?

We have done both :-)

In 2009 we rented boat from LeBoat and cruised the canal between Drumnadrochit (Urguhart Castle) and almost to Fort Williams and in 2016 we hiked from Inverness to Fort WIlliams - and made an extra stop in Fort Augustus, where we took a cruise on Loch Ness.

As you can guess we really liked Fort Augustus on our boat trip, so my recommendation is that you stay two nights in Fort Augustus and take a cruise on Loch Ness, but also just sit and watch all the boats going up and down the four locks in Fort Augustus.

Thank you, l.p.enersen.

If we only have time for one thing, which would you recommend?

BigMIke: Sorry - that's really up to your personal preferences. Our hike was 7 days, the boating was 7 days, but the captained cruise on Loch Ness was 2 - 3 hours.

If you want a hike, contact https://www.contours.co.uk/great-glen-way

If you want a boating trip, contact https://www.leboat.co.uk/boating-holidays/scotland/caledonian-canal-loch-ness

If you want a captained cruise, buy tickets at the pier

Mike -

It is possible to have your cake and eat it: https://www.caledonian-discovery.co.uk/

Huge fun, books up early so you might have to ‘adjust to fit’.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, did this in 2012 and had a blast, keep meaning to go back…..

Ian

Ian, thank you, sir. That looks fantastic.