Explore this beautiful part of the Highlands

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 kilometres (23 miles) southwest of Inverness. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end and is best known for sightings of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. At 56 km2 (22 sq mi), Loch Ness is the second-largest Scottish loch by surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth it is the largest by volume in Great Britain and the second deepest loch in Scotland. Loch Ness contains more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined, making it the most voluminous lake in the UK.

As one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, visiting Loch Ness is definitely one to add to the bucket list, steeped in history and based in the stunning Scottish Highlands.

Loch Ness has been made famous, by the presence of the one and only Loch Ness monster, that is said to lurk beneath its surface. Known affectionately as “Nessie”, scientists are baffled by her potential existence.

The best-known early mention of Nessie that attracted a lot of attention was an article in the Inverness Courier published on 2 May 1933, that discussed the sighting of an enormous creature with the body of a whale rolling in the water in the loch. After this story broke, the possibility of a ‘monster’ became a media phenomenon and thus began the start of the many years of obsessive searching for a long-necked, dinosaur looking, aquatic creature.

Since then Nessie has been at the forefront of local folklore and news. There have been over 1000, sometimes unexplainable, eye-witness accounts and sightings that continue to fuel the everlasting presence Nessie has at Loch Ness.

The Loch Ness Visitor Centre is at Drumnadrochit.

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