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Loch Ness Circuit Road Trip

This Loch Ness Circuit road trip takes one or two days to complete, starting and finishing in Inverness. Making a full loop around the whole of Loch Ness, we recommend the full two days to make the most of all there is to see and do. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Nessie!

Road trip details: One to two-day route, 67 miles

Stops include: Jacobite Cruises, Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, Nessieland, Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus, Caledonian Canal, Falls of Foyers, Boleskine Graveyard, Dores beach.

Explore the route map below for this road trip…

Inverness to Drumnadrochit

Explore history and visit local attractions

The Route:

Inverness to Drumnadrochit

1. Leaving Inverness, follow the A82 south. Just beyond Lochend, you will see Loch Ness come into view. There is a large lay-by here for your first stop, called the Wellington lay-by, after a World War II Wellington Bomber crash, which happened on the loch.

2. As you follow the road along, you’ll come to the Clansman Hotel in Brackla. This is the only hotel on the banks of Loch Ness. You can make a stop here for the local gift shop and café, or to join a scenic cruise on the loch with Jacobite Cruises.

3. Keep going towards the village of Drumnadrochit., home of the Loch Ness Monster! Here you can visit local attractions, the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition and Nessieland. If you’re looking for a lunch stop, check out Fiddler’s Restaurant for great Scottish dishes.

Drumnadrochit to Fort Augustus

4. As you leave Drumnadrochit, you’ll pass Urquhart Castle. These ancient castle ruins date from the 13th century and are well worth a visit.

5. Next you’ll come to a small village called Invermoriston, where you can take a short walk to Invermoriston Falls and the historic Invermoriston Old Bridge, engineered by Thomas Telford.

6. Continue along the road to Fort Augustus, at the southern end of Loch Ness. This vibrant village on the Caledonian Canal is a must-see. With gift shops and plenty of places to eat and relax. You can walk along the canal and watch the boats pass through the locks. Take a walk along the waterfront for views of Fort Augustus Abbey. Or, enjoy a boat trip from Cruise Loch Ness. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Fort Augustus to Foyers

Take in spectacular scenery and a magnificent waterfall

Fort Augustus to Foyers

7. From Fort Augustus, go back along the south side of Loch Ness on the B862. Drive carefully along the single track road. The scenery here is spectacular. You can stop at the highest point on the road, Suidhe Viewpoint, for the most breathtaking views.

8. Next you will come to Foyers, a small village famous for its magnificent waterfall, the Falls of Foyers. This is a nice place to stop for refreshments in the local cafes and a walk to the falls.

Foyers to Dores

9. Heading on from Foyers, you will pass the historic Boleskine Graveyard and the remains of Boleskine House, which was once owned by Victorian occultist Aleister Crowley and also rock star Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

10. Our final stop is Dores, great for beach walks and food at Dores Inn. This is also where the famous Nessie Hunter, Steve Feltham, can often be found.

Dores to Inverness

11. Continue heading north from here, back to Inverness and your Loch Ness circuit is complete!

We hope you enjoy this Loch Ness Circuit road trip. Find more road trip ideas here.

Walking

Caledonian Canal

Loch Ness Monster