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Loch Ness & the Highlands from Inverness

Urquhart Castle
Duration: 8.75 hours

Overview

Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch. Spend a day Nessie-hunting, take a cruise on the mysterious loch, explore the village of Fort Augustus, visit the ruined loch-side Urquhart Castle, admire the Falls of Foyers and wander along Dores Beach on this fantastic one day Loch Ness tour from Inverness!

Included

  • Digital translations
  • Knowledgeable Driver-Guide
  • Luxury Modern air-conditioned coach

Excluded

  • Entrance to attractions
  • Food and Drink

Important information

Where is the departure point?

Your one day Loch Ness and the Highlands tour from Inverness departs at 08:45 hrs from Railway Terrace. Check-in opens 15 minutes prior to the stated departure time and closes 5 minutes prior to the stated departure time. We recommend that all passengers arrive in this window as tours must depart on schedule.

Are the optional extras included?

No, optional extras are not included in the tour price. The price of your one day tour from Inverness includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury modern air-conditioned coaches.

All optional extras - attraction entrance fees, loch cruises, food and drinks, etc - are not included in the price of your tour. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day.

Optional extras for your tour (From April 2026) are as follows:

Loch Ness Cruise: £22.00, Child £15.00
Urquhart Castle: £14.00, Concession £11.00, Child £8.00

Do I need to pre-book optional extras?

We strongly recommend pre-booking Urquhart Castle through us to guarantee entry and help manage visitor numbers. Walk-in bookings may be available on the day, but are subject to availability.

All other optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0) 131 226 6066.

Is the tour is English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English. Your tour will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English speaking Driver-Guide.
You can access a digital translation of your tour via the link in your confirmation email, or contact our Reservations Team to request one.
Digital translations are available for this tour in the following languages: French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin).

What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days.

Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour!

Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate. We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.

Will I see Nessie?

There have been many reported sightings over the years of "Nessie", - the affectionate name given to the mysterious creature that is reputed to live in the deep waters of Scotland's most famous loch, Loch Ness. The myths and stories surrounding Nessie have fascinated both young and old alike for centuries - the earliest reported sighting by St. Columba back in the 6th Century! So always have your camera at the ready - you never know if she's out there, just below the surface...

How accessible are the locations?

Some of the locations may cause accessibility issues due to their geography and architecture. If you are a wheelchair user or have restricted mobility, we would recommend getting in touch with us for more information.

Highlights

More information

Your one day Loch Ness tour from Inverness departs at 08:45 and follows the beautiful Caledonian Canal to the source at Loch Ness. 24 miles long and over 700 feet deep, the loch is the largest by volume in the British Isles and is most famous for its sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as “Nessie”. We spend most of the morning at Loch Ness, allowing you plenty of time to go Nessie-hunting! Our first stop is Urquhart Castle*, here you will have the option of visiting the 13th century structure, with plenty of time explore the ruin, enjoy the visitor centre, and take in the views and atmosphere of Scotland’s most famous loch.

Afterwards, we journey through to Fort Augustus, the furthermost point of your Loch Ness tour. We have time here to stop and enjoy a relaxing hour-long boat cruise* across Loch Ness with Cruise Loch Ness. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the small town; with a population of only 650 people, it's a perfect spot to relax and watch boats passing through the Caledonian Canal.

After lunch, our Loch Ness tour will begin its journey back to Inverness, stopping at the Falls of Foyers. The majestic 165ft waterfall was a favourite retreat for poet Rabbie Burns, and is truly breath-taking. Enjoy plenty of time here to soak up the atmosphere before the tour continues on to the village of Dores for a visit to Dores Beach on the east shores of Loch Ness. Spend a short while wandering the sandy shoreline before boarding the coach for a final return journey to Inverness where your Loch Ness day tour ends.

Tour Overview

  • Duration: 8hrs 45mins
  • Total Distance: 70 miles
  • Pick up: From Railway Terrace, Inverness. Check-in at 8:30am, departure at 8:45am.
  • Group size: 16 - 53
  • Availability: All year round
  • Minimum age: Travellers need to be at least 4 years-old