The deep dark narrow freshwater loch that stretches for 23 miles between Inverness and Fort Augustus is known as Loch Ness. It is the second largest Scottish loch with a surface area of 21.8 square miles and is approxiamately 755 feet at its deepest point. Loch Ness contains more fresh water than all the lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in Wales and England combined and is considered the largest body of water on the Great Glen Fault.
The A82 which runs along the western bank offers the most stunning views of the loch. Visitors can see rugged hills that climb steeply from the loch’s dark water and savour the beautiful surroundings from the many lookout points along the road. The loch covers a complete circuit of about 70 miles and is considered a challenge to drivers not used to driving on the left. Buses and boats are available for daily sightseeing tours.
Loch Ness is the alleged home of Nessie the Loch Ness monster. Nessie is a mythical creature that is said to dwell in the Loch and has been spotted on occasion by locals and passerbys. The sighting of Nessie leads credence to the remote possibility of potential survivors of the long-extinct plesiosaur which lived until around 65 million years ago.
The local attractrations include Urquhart Castle, the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, and the Original Loch Ness Monster Centre. The castle may be in ruins; however Urquhart Castle with its four turrets and position at Strone Point offers spectacular views and is the perfect spot for Nessie watching.
The new visitor centre is partially beneath ground level and includes a video theatre, displays of medieval items, a restaurant, and large gift shop. The Loch Ness Centre offers video footage of monster sightings, exhibits of underwater monster hunt equiptment, and a gift shop.
From Easter through December, you can schedule a one hour monster cruise aboard the Nessie Hunter which has been specially equipted with sonar and underwater cameras.
There are many different places to visit when planing a trip to Scotland. A list of the best places would have to include Loch Ness. The large freshwater loch actually contains more water than every lake in England and Wales combined, spanning twenty three miles in length. However, what the loch is most know for is the Loch Ness Monster, also known as Nessie.
There are many different things to keep you entertained during any time of year. During the summer, take a day and go fishing for salmon, trout, or pike. Go sailing along the coast, windsurf, go paragliding, or take a canoe out with your loved one. Land-lovers will love the great walks along the hills and more challenging hikes in the Glen. For people who enjoy mountain biking, these along with the villages and the Caledonian Canal are great for a ride. During the winter you can even ski!
Being that the loch is a body of water, one of the most appropriate ways to experience the area is by going on the water. There are boat trips and cruises offered all year long. With the changing scenery that comes with the seasons, there are many different and equally beautiful views to appreciate. The time of day also impacts what you may see. In the early mornings, a sunrise over the misty waters will take your breath away. You will also be able to see sights like the Urquhart Castle, small villages, farms, or the Caledonian Canal, not to mention the animal life that can be seen such as birds, leaping fish, otters, and even deer on the side of the water.
Visiting a whisky distillery should be a priority during a day visit. Scotland is famous all over the world for malt whiskey due to the waters of the area. No matter what you have in mind for your vacation, Loch Ness is a wonderful place for any kind of vacation.
Whether you are traveling with your sweetheart or the entire family, there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Scotland. Here’s a few fun places you might want to try out.
1. Jacobite Cruises on Loch Ness
What better way to see the sites and learn the history of the great Loch Ness than by cruising across the glassy water on a boat? Tours can take anywhere from one hour to an entire day depending on what you’re looking for.
2. Castles
There are too many castles in Scotland to count, so it’s definitely something you should include in your vacation plans. Dunvegan and Culzean castles seem like they are straight out of a story book. A castle would be the perfect place to pull out one of the many stunning styles of Tacori engagement rings and propose to your princess!
3. Breweries
If you are a fan of whiskey and ales, then Scotland has many many distilleries and breweries to keep your attention. For ales, take a trip over to the Bridge of Allen Brewery. For free entry, you can tour and taste all the wonders that the brewery has to offer. If whiskey is more your style, then head on up to the Highland Park Distillery and Visitor Centre. There you can see one of the six remaining distilleries in Scotland that malts it’s own barley.
4. Museums
There are numerous museums and art galleries for you to visit in Scotland, but one standout is the Gallery of Modern Art located in Glasgow. This four story exhibit houses some of the greatest pieces of modern art you could ever ask for. If you’re looking for a little more history, then head over to Broughty Castle Museum. Here you can climb the 15th century spiral staircase, bask in the beautiful coastal views, and marvel at the wonders of the Scottish culture.
Scotland is so much more than the Lochness Monster, Haggis and world renowned gold courses. With gigantic mountains, running water and the famous lochs that dot the landscape Scotland can be the vacation destination of a lifetime.
Must see locations while in Scotland.
• Cuillins Mountains – This rugged mountain range has inspired travelers for centuries. The mountains have adequate hiking trails, fearsome climbing ranges and many opportunities for photographic opportunities.
• West Highland Railway – There is no better way to see the countryside of a country you’re visiting than spending time on a train. Along this 164 mile trek you will see Britain’s highest mountain, visit several lochs and travel along the coastline. Glenfinnan station is a museum that pays tribute to the train’s history.
• Glen Coe – For those of you that prefer to see the country by car, Glen Coe is a spectacular trip that visitors often see a valley that is draped with cloud cover. An historical site, you should do some research into the area before visiting.
• Loch Ness – Want to see for yourself if the famous Loch Ness monster exists? Take a day trip to the shores of this famous destination or have a tour guide show you the places where the locales suggest this prehistoric monster exists.
Whatever destinations you decide to visit, make sure you do your research on food, and drinks available in the various places you will be staying. Scotland is famous for its angus been and the fish and chips is to perfection. The local pub should provide you with options for those that like whiskey or a nice cold ale.
Doing your research before you travel provides some good information to enjoy Scotland the way it should be enjoyed. Many of the travel destinations accept reservations, thus ensuring your trip of a lifetime to be an overwhelming success.
There’s more for the traveler at Loch Ness then the Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness is Scotland’s second largest loch. The lake is over 23 miles long and over 700 feet deep at its deepest point. It actually contains more fresh water then all the lakes in England. The lake is naturally very murky as it’s filled with slime, mud, and peat. This of course helps to perpetuate the possibility of a large creature living safely concealed beneath the loch’s murky depths. There are also legends that under water caverns may connect it to the ocean, a great hiding place for the Loch Ness monster. The lake has one island called Cherry Island, located at its southwestern end and is know has a crannog, an artificial island probably made in the Iron Age.
Loch Ness is located in Scotland’s highland country, fast becoming known as part of the Scottish Lake Country. It is amazingly beautiful and packed with awesome traveling opportunities. There are wonderful walking and hiking trails like parts of the Great Glen Way, a long distance walk 73 miles in length that goes from Fort William to Inverness. The loch also offers great fishing for salmon, trout, sea-trout, and pike. You can also find sailing and canoeing opportunities. For the more adventurous traveler, mountain biking, windsurfing, and paragliding adventures can also be had.
If you’re interested in finding Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, visitors can take in the Loch Ness Exhibition Center. It was opened by the explorer Sir Ranulph Finnes and takes visitors into seven themed areas on a journey through time using lasers, digital projection, and special effects. Multilingual presentations are available. The center is open at varying times during the year and there is a fee for entry.
Many local companies offer cruises on the loch for a fee.Cruises include views of Urquhart Castle and the Great Glen. They generally start running around Easter Sunday and continue through September. Some companies even do cruises into December. You may also want to find a local cottage or one of the other
vacation rentals available that will allow you to take in the beauty of the lake.
