Visiting Loch Ness

iz007

I am planning a short break to Scotland in July. We are staying in Fort Augustus for 3 nights so that will be our base. I wanted to visit Loch Ness but am a bit put off by the visitor centres (and prices!!) so wondered if anyone had any other tips for seeing the area at it's best?

scbk

There are various bot trips on the Loch, leaving from Inverness and Fort Augustus too IIRC


The area can get a bit busy during the day in the middle of summer, espicialy the A82. Dawn is about 3am and dusk after 10pm so if you get out early/late you can miss the crowds.

The B862 up the west side of the Loch is also a nice drive, usually fairly quiet, and you can get down to the water in places.


Urquhart castle is worth a look but again is very popular in the afternoons


From Fort Augustus you can have a day trip over to Skye/Wester Ross etc

ailuro2

If you are into castles consider joining Historic Scotland, have a look at the website to see how much it costs - the membership can pay for itself in just two or three castle visits. It also gets you half price entry into English properties for the rest of the year, iirc.

Go dolphin watching for free up the Moray Firth - there are viewpoints to park the car and watch for them. We didn't see any, but loads of people do.

Buy your Avon Skin So Soft now... it helps a bit with the midges I'm told.(since DEET is banned in the UK) If you're lucky enough to land up in an area without them then you'll just have lovely soft skin. If you don't take it you will be sorry you didn't.;)

kabie

I'd say the best place to see Dolphins is Chanonry point. A good time to go is at high tide but it's all about luck really.
See here for more info. http://www.stylendesign.co.uk/dolphin/tides.html

We were there at the weekend and saw dolphins.

Dores is a nice place to see Loch Ness as you can get easy access and walk along the shore easily.

see here:

http://www.doresonlochness.co.uk/index.htm

ClareEmily

Loch Lomond is beautiful
http://www.loch-lomond.net/

iz007

Thanks so much for the replies. Much appreciated! Have booked tickets for Culloden using Tesco Clubcard points so that was a good find. Will spend a day up there and hopefully Inverness. Will do the loop drive road Loch Ness, looks lovely. Thanks too for the tip on the midges! Might do the boat trip as looks a good way to see Loch Ness.

cdam

Hi iz007

I live near the Loch, and was going to suggest the loop route, it is wonderful. the A82 is a bit crowded this time of year, but the other side is still wild and a great drive. Urquhart castle is a good visit, although we never pay, as it is free once or twice a year (can't remember when). Probably worth £5 and a few hours, but if it is much more then maybe getting expensive, but i rather think that everything but the scenary is expensive for the tourists.

Have a great time

Bob_the_Saver

ailuro2 wrote: »

If you are into castles consider joining Historic Scotland, have a look at the website to see how much it costs - the membership can pay for itself in just two or three castle visits. It also gets you half price entry into English properties for the rest of the year, iirc.

Go dolphin watching for free up the Moray Firth - there are viewpoints to park the car and watch for them. We didn't see any, but loads of people do.

Buy your Avon Skin So Soft now... it helps a bit with the midges I'm told.(since DEET is banned in the UK) If you're lucky enough to land up in an area without them then you'll just have lovely soft skin. If you don't take it you will be sorry you didn't.;)

IS Deet banned in the UK?

lucylucky

cdam wrote: »

Hi iz007

I live near the Loch, and was going to suggest the loop route, it is wonderful. the A82 is a bit crowded this time of year, but the other side is still wild and a great drive. Urquhart castle is a good visit, although we never pay, as it is free once or twice a year (can't remember when). Probably worth £5 and a few hours, but if it is much more then maybe getting expensive, but i rather think that everything but the scenary is expensive for the tourists.

Have a great time

Seems to be £7 - which is a fiver more than I would pay.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_297&PropName=Urquhart%20Castle

lucylucky

ClareEmily wrote: »

Loch Lomond is beautiful
http://www.loch-lomond.net/

And a long way from Ft Augustus

laurel7172

We spent a couple of hours last August chasing around the free places to see the Moray Firth dolphins before I saw sense (I've booked a hotel for an extra night in Inverness and I'm risking not seeing the dolphins...WHY???) and got us on a boat.

It was worth every penny. The only time I've seen dolphins closer was in NZ when I swam with them. I'm sure they're great from the shore too, but...I'd go on the boat again.