Loch Ness & the Great Glen

Loch Ness needs no introduction — it is the most famous lake in the world. 37 km long, up to 230 m deep, with more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. The peat-colored water is so dark that visibility is less than a meter. No wonder a "monster" has been sighted here repeatedly since 1933.

Nessie — Myth or Reality?

The first known sighting dates back to 565 AD, when the Irish monk St. Columba allegedly drove away a water monster. Since the famous (fake) "Surgeon's Photo" of 1934, Nessie has become a worldwide phenomenon. Scientific expeditions (including a DNA analysis in 2019) have found no large unknown animal — but possibly giant eels. The truth? Probably a mix of wave movements, logs, otters, and wishful thinking. But the romantic possibility remains.

Urquhart Castle

The ruin of Urquhart Castle on the western shore of the loch is one of Scotland's most iconic sights: ruined walls and a tower against the dark water of the lake, mountains in the background. The castle was built in the 13th century, was a point of contention in the Scottish independence struggle, and was deliberately blown up in 1692 to prevent it from falling into Jacobite hands. Admission: £14, including film and museum.

Inverness

The capital of the Highlands is located at the northern end of the Great Glen, where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth. Inverness is compact, friendly, and the perfect starting point for Loch Ness, the North Coast 500, and the Cairngorms. Sights include the castle (exterior view), the Victorian market hall, the Ness Islands (a walk on wooded river islands), and dolphin watching in the nearby Moray Firth (Europe's northernmost dolphin population!).

Fort Augustus & Caledonian Canal

At the southwestern end of Loch Ness lies the pretty village of Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal descends into the loch through a series of locks. A fascinating spectacle: boats are lifted or lowered step by step through the locks. A nice village for a lunch stop.