Loch Ness and the Highlands Day Trip from Inverness

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Duration9 hours
Daily
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Loch Ness and the Highlands Day Trip from Inverness

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Overview

This nine-hour coach day trip from Inverness explores Loch Ness and the surrounding Highlands with a driver-guide. You pass Urquhart Castle, stop in Invermoriston and Fort Augustus at the southern end of the loch, see the Falls of Foyers and finish on the shingle shore at Dores. The default option includes the coach, driver-guide and commentary only; the loch cruise and castle entry are optional extras. It suits visitors who want an easy, scenic day with plenty of photo stops.

Highlights

Loch Ness on a day trip with live commentary from a driver-guide
Urquhart Castle for views and an optional visit
Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal locks
Falls of Foyers waterfall, loved by the poet Robert Burns
Dores Beach on the northern shore of the loch
Optional Loch Ness cruise as an extra
Air-conditioned coach with digital written translations

Full Description

Loch Ness from the road and the lochside villages

Loch Ness is the largest freshwater loch in Britain by volume, a dark, narrow body of water running through the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort Augustus. The Loch Ness tour from Inverness follows the shore, so the coach can stop at the best viewpoints and the lochside villages. The old legend of the monster adds humour to the commentary, though the real attraction is the scale of the water and the hills.

Invermoriston is a short comfort and photo stop where the River Moriston tumbles beneath a stone bridge designed by Thomas Telford. The driver-guide uses the long stretches of road to explain Highland geology, clan history and how the Caledonian Canal was built.

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is one of the most visited ruins in Scotland, on a headland above Urquhart Bay on the north-west shore of Loch Ness. The castle, mainly built between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, was damaged in 1692 so Jacobite forces could not use it. The tower on the water still gives the best view down the loch.

In this tour it is a scenic stop; entry is an optional extra and not included in the default option, so you can choose to explore the ruins or simply photograph the view. If you are asking whether Urquhart Castle is worth visiting, allow an hour and bring a camera.

Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal

Fort Augustus sits at the southern end of Loch Ness, where a flight of locks lifts boats from the loch to the Caledonian Canal. The village grew around a Hanoverian fort built after the Jacobite risings and later became an abbey school. It is the usual lunch and free-time stop, with cafés, shops and benches by the canal.

Watching boats pass through the locks is half the fun of Fort Augustus, and a short walk along the canal gives long views down the loch. The optional Loch Ness cruise leaves from the area; it is not included in the default option.

Falls of Foyers and Dores Beach

The Falls of Foyers is a tall waterfall in a wooded gorge on the south-east shore of Loch Ness. The poet Robert Burns visited in 1787 and wrote a poem about the fall. A short path through the trees leads to viewpoints. The spray and the greenery make it a popular photo stop.

The tour finishes at Dores Beach, a shingle shore at the northern end of the loch with wide views down the water. It is a popular place for a last monster-spotting attempt, and a short walk before the final return to Inverness. The coach arrives back in the afternoon.

Itinerary

Meet in central InvernessMeet your driver-guide at the meeting point shown on your voucher; the coach leaves at 8:45 AM.
Urquhart CastleAbout 45 minutes by coach, then time for views and an optional visit.
InvermoristonA break and photo stop by the Telford bridge and waterfall.
Fort AugustusLunch and free time by the Caledonian Canal locks.
Loch Ness cruise (optional)An optional boat trip on the loch, not included in the default option.
Falls of FoyersA coffee stop and a short walk to the waterfall viewpoints.
Dores BeachA final break on the shore, then about 30 minutes back to Inverness.

What's included

Transport in a modern air-conditioned bus
Driver-guide
Live commentary
Digital written translations

Not included

Loch Ness cruise (optional extra)
Entry to Urquhart Castle (optional extra)
Meals and snacks
Toilets on board

Is this right for you?

Great for

Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers

Think twice if

You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers

Not suitable for

Children under four years, who are not permitted on this tour
Wheelchair users
Travellers who need hotel pickup, which is not included
Anyone who needs a toilet on board, as there is none on the coach

Meeting point

This tour does not include hotel pickup. You meet your driver-guide at a meeting point in central Inverness, and the exact location is shown on your voucher after booking. The coach leaves at 8:45 AM, so please arrive about fifteen minutes early. The tour returns to the same area in the afternoon after about nine hours.

Important information

Children under four years are not permitted on this tour.
Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
The Loch Ness cruise and entry to Urquhart Castle are optional extras and not included.
Meals and snacks are not included.
There is no toilet on the coach; comfort stops are made during the day.
The route and the order of stops can change with weather and road conditions.
Digital written translations are available during the tour.
Bring a camera; the best views are on the shore and at the viewpoints.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the Loch Ness and Highlands day trip cost?

The price depends on the option and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child, for the date you choose.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You meet your driver-guide at a meeting point in central Inverness, and the exact location is on your voucher after booking.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours, leaving at 8:45 AM.

Is the Loch Ness tour suitable for children?

Children aged four and over can join. Age categories and child prices are shown in the booking panel.

Is the Loch Ness cruise included?

No. The cruise and entry to Urquhart Castle are optional extras; the default option includes the coach, driver-guide and commentary.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers. Bring a waterproof jacket, a camera and money for lunch.

Can I book the tour for today or tomorrow?

Yes, when seats are available. Choose your date in the booking panel to see whether the departure is open.