Things to do in Loch Ness
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Urquhart Castle
Commanding a brilliant location 1.5 miles east of Drumnadrochit, with outstanding views (on a clear day), Urquhart Castle is a popular Nessie-watching hotspot. A huge visitor centre (most of which is beneath ground level) includes a video theatre (with a dramatic ‘unveiling’ of the castle at the end of the film) and displays of medieval items discovered in the castle.
The castle was repeatedly sacked and rebuilt (and sacked and rebuilt) over the centuries; in 1692 it was blown up to prevent the Jacobites from using it. The five-storey tower house at the northern point is the most impressive remaining fragment and offers wonderful views across the water. The site inclu…
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Caledonian Canal
At Fort Augustus, boats using the Caledonian Canal are raised and lowered 13m by a ‘ladder’ of five consecutive locks. It’s fun to watch, and the neatly landscaped canal banks are a great place to soak up the sun or compare accents with fellow tourists. The Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, beside the lowest lock, showcases the history of the canal.
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Great Glen Way
The 73-mile Great Glen Way long-distance footpath stretches from Inverness to Fort William, where walkers can connect with the West Highland Way. It is described in detail in The Great Glen Way, a guide by Jacquetta Megarry and Sandra Bardwell.
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Clansman Centre
An exhibition on 17th-century Highland life, with live demonstrations of how to put on a plaid (the forerunner of the kilt) and how the claymore (Highland sword) was made and used. There is also a workshop where you can purchase handcrafted reproduction swords, dirks and shields.
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Lock Inn
A superb little pub right on the canal bank, the Lock Inn has a vast range of malt whiskies and a tempting menu of bar meals (served noon to 8pm) that includes Orkney salmon, Highland venison and daily seafood specials; the house speciality is beer-battered haddock and chips.
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Dores Inn
A beautifully restored country pub furnished with old church seating, local landscape paintings and fresh flowers. The menu specialises in quality Scottish produce, from haggis, neeps and tatties, and haddock and chips, to steaks, scallops and seafood platters.
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Fiddler’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant
The coffee shop does cappuccino and croissants, while the restaurant serves traditional Highland fare, such as venison casserole, and a wide range of bottled Scottish beers. There’s also a whisky bar with huge range of single malts.
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Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
This Nessie-themed attraction, with a scientific approach that allows you to weigh the evidence for yourself, features original footage of monster sightings plus exhibits of equipment used in the various underwater monster hunts.
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Nessie Hunter
One-hour monster-hunting cruises, complete with sonar and underwater cameras. Cruises depart from Drumnadrochit hourly from 9am to 6pm daily from Easter to December.
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Nessieland Castle Monster Centre
This more homely attraction is a miniature theme park aimed squarely at the kids, but its main function is to sell you Loch Ness monster souvenirs.
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Royal Scot
One-hour cruises on Loch Ness accompanied by the latest high-tech sonar equipment so you can keep an underwater eye open for Nessie.
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Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre
The Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, beside the lowest lock, showcases the history of the canal.
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