Loch Ness

About Loch Lomond

Famous throughout the world due to the legendary Loch Ness Monster, Loch Ness is located just South of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. At 37 km (~23 mi) long it is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area; but actually the largest by volume, with a maximum depth of nearly 230 m (~754 ft). Towns and villages on the shores include Drumnadrochit, Foyers, Fort Augustus and Cannich. Urquhart Castle stands on the shore of Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit. Extensively ruined, it makes for a stunning picture with the loch in the background, and it is from this location that there have been the most monster sightings.

Flora and fauna

The Loch Ness monster aside, the lake is home to the European eel, Pike,, Brook lamprey, Atlantic salmon, sea trout, borwn trout and Atlantic char. Red deer, red squirrels and pine martens may be visible in the surrounding area.

Activities

The area around Loch Ness provides some stunning woodland walks. The Great Glen Way on the northern side of the loch is a popular five day walk that spans 127 km (~79 mi), hugging the shores of Loch Ness and taking the walker the entire length of the loch. The South Loch Ness Trail is a relatively new, 45 km (28 mi) trail that explores the south side of the loch, along a continuous managed track open to walkers, off-road cyclists and horseriders. Leading through mountainside moorlands, dense pine forests and wilderness landscapes, it climbs at some points to over 366 m (~1,200 ft), giving stunning views across the loch itself.

It is possible to get closer to the water by hiring a canoe or taking a boat ride from Inverness. For visitors wanting to relax with a game of golf there are dozens of golf courses to choose from.