Loch Ness Tourist Information: Monster Visitor Centre & Exhibition, Braveheart, Boat Trips & Fishing

Evidence for the Loch Ness Monster

In Drumnadrochit you'll find two exhibitions that look at the evidence for and against the existence of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.

The Original Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre presents the evidence that exists to date of Nessie through legend, photographs and film of sightings. There is a coffee shop, gift shop and a big plastic Nessie for the kids to play on. The Original Loch Ness Visitor Centre, Drumnadrochit, Inverness IV63 6TU. Tel: 01456 450342. Fax: 01456 450429. Email: info@lochness-centre.com.

Behind the Loch Ness Visitor Centre is The Braveheart Centre. This highlights some of the significant battles of Scotland such as the War of Independence in which Robert the Bruce beat the English forces at Bannockburn in 1314. It also tells the story of William Wallace and his resistance to the English. Check their website for more information.

The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, also called Loch Ness 2000, is a five star rated visitor attraction in the downstairs of what was the Drumnadrochit Hotel; the hotel is now housed in the modern buildings on the same site. This is the more recent of the two exhibitions. It takes a more investigative look at the myth of the Loch Ness Monster as it presents the evidence through audio visual presentations in seven rooms. There's a lot of detail in the films and it might not be so good for younger visitors, although there is a downloadable work pack available for children which could help get the most out of the exhibitions. It a thought provoking exhibition and it's interesting to see how some of the most familiar images we have of the Loch Ness Monster have been disproved or appear unlikely. Seeing as the Loch Ness Project has been based in the same hotel for 20 years it's perhaps not surprising that this is the more scientific of the two exhibitions. The rest of the hotel complex is choc full of Nessie and Scottish themed gifts in the various shops. There's also a cafe on site. Check the website, link right, for lots of information on the complex and as well as a link to the Loch Ness webcam. The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, Inverness-shire IV63 6TU. Tel: 01456 450 573. Fax: 01456 450 770. Email: info@lochness.com.

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Loch Ness Boat Trips

Loch Ness continues to hold a fascination for visitors from all over the world and you can take boat trips from either Inverness or Fort Augustus. Several companies offer trips including the following:

Jacobite Cruises offer a range of cruises all year round from Inverness to Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal taking in Urquhart Castle as well as coach tours to Culloden Battlefield near Inverness. Check their website, link right, for full details of their range of cruises and charters. Telephone: 01463 233999. Email: info@jacobite.co.uk.

Loch Ness Express run a daily scheduled service down the entire length of Loch Ness up to Inverness from a base in Fort Augustus. They offer a hop-on, hop-off facility where you can stop off at Foyers, Inverfarigaig and Urquhart Castle. Departures: May, June, September and October 10.15am plus in July and August 9.45am and 3.45pm. Check their website for more information. Tel: 0800 328 6426. Email: info@lochnessexpress.com.

Augusta Boat Services off cruises and angling trips on Loch Ness. For more information contact them by email. Augusta Boat Services, Tel: 01320 366579. Mobile: 0777 1857693. Email: augusta@thedoghousemail.com

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Loch Ness Boat Trips & Cruises

Cruise Loch Ness also run hour long trips from Fort Augustus every hour on the hour on a modern hi-tech vessel with sonar equipment. Their website boasts some famous faces who've taken the cruise. Cruise Loch Ness, Tel: 01320 366277. Fax: 01320 366221 Mobile 07801289103. Email: info@cruiselochness.com

You can also hire boats to cruise Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal from Caley Cruisers. Caley Cruisers Ltd, Boating Holidays, Canal Road, Inverness IV3 8NF. Tel: 01463 236328. Fax: 01463 714879. Email: info@caleycruisers.com.

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Loch Ness Fishing Holidays

Fishing on Loch Ness or in the many lochs to the south of Loch Ness is popular. You should contact the local fishing group and get some advice before starting out as it can be dangerous. There is no national rod licence required in Scotland as there is in England and permits for most of the river systems can be obtained from a variety of local sources such as tackle shops, hotels and post offices. You can also purchase them from Caley Cruisers if you're taking out one of their boats.

On Loch Ness the season is from the 15 March -6 October for brown trout and from 15 Jan-October for salmon. South Loch Ness is also a popular area for fishing due to the number of lochs including Lochs Knockie, Bran, Nan Lann, Killin and Mhor. Fishing Scotland has some useful advice on fishing in this area as well as offering fishing excursions.

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Adventure Holidays Loch Ness

If you'd rather spend your time outdoors or on Loch Ness or climbing the mountains nearby, there are several companies locally offering canoe hire, outdoor activity days and mountaineering and climbing courses. Check the websites listed right for more information.

Macguiding is based between Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit and offer half, full or multi days activities in sea kayaks, canoes, biking or on foot. They offer bike hire. Macguiding, The Old Smithy, Invermoriston, Loch Ness, IV63 7YA. Tel: 01320 351315. Mobile: 07761 346254. Email: mike@macguiding.co.uk

Off to the west of Drumnadrochit through the wooded Glen Urquhart is the remote Glen Affric one of the most beautiful areas in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. There are few roads here but it's well worth a visit. You'll be surrounded by mountains on all sides clothed in one of the largest surviving native Caledonian pinewoods in the UK. Lochs and rivers fill the hollows between. This is excellent Munro-bagging country and a mecca for serious hikers, although the valleys offer some lovely picnic areas. Pony-trekking and mountain biking are also popular. Check the links right for more information on the Glen Affric area.

Near Drumnadrochit is Glen Urquhart a mix of plantation and native woodland. There are several waymarked walks and forest tracks suitable for cycling and horse-riding. Nearby is Balnain Bike Park with purpose built challenging routes and a skills development area. Check the weblink for more information and our Fort William Outdoor Activities page, link right.

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The Great Glen Way

The Great Glen Way is a long distance walking route that stretches 73 miles from Fort William to Inverness.

The whole route can be walked in 5-6 days and there is plenty of accommodation along the way in the towns and villages that span the Great Glen. Alternatively you could just do sections of it.

Most of the route is low-level and takes in towpaths and woodland walks, but you can always divert off it to take in some more challenging mountain hikes.

You can also cycle the route or take off on one of the purpose-built mountains bike or cycling tracks.

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