Visit Loch Ness

Although no more than a mile wide, Loch Ness is one of the longest lochs in Scotland (23 1/2 miles) and also the most famous, due to Nessie, the mysterious monster that is supposed to haunt its waters. It has an area of almost 22 square miles, a depth of up to 820 feet in places and an average temperature of 5°C which means it never freezes over.

The A82, which follows the west shore of the loch and services the main tourist sites, is often jammed with traffic in summer. The B852 and B862, which follow the route of an old road built by General Wade along the loch's east shore between Fort George and Fort Augustus, are much quieter and offer unspoiled views of the Great Glen. The best way to see Loch Ness is to take a boat trip from Inverness or Fort Augustus.