I visited Loch Ness in May. This was my second visit. The first time we visited was a brief drive-by on the way up to the Scottish Highlands a few years ago. This time we stayed at a hotel in Pitlochry, which was about 2 hours drive away. A little further away than we had planned, (we didn't ... Read review
A warm Highland welcome awaits youSet on the shores of the most mysterious stretch of ... more
water in the world the hotel enjoys panoramic views of our breathtaking Loch Ness With fishing on the doorstep and 30 golf courses the Isle of Skye Urquhart Castle...
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Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
The new Dunain Park Hotel and Restaurant is Country House Chic Georgian in era the hotel ... more
has recently has an extensive and exciting makeover This country gem stands decadently beautiful gazing across breath taking views undiscovered and waiting to be ...
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Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: beautiful scenery, interesting history and attractions Disadvantages: add good weather to fully enjoy
I visited Loch Ness in May. This was my second visit. The first time we visited was a brief drive-by on the way up to the Scottish Highlands a few years ago. This time we stayed at a hotel in Pitlochry, which was about 2 hours drive away. A little further away than we had planned, (we didn't realise that most of the tourist attractions were situated on east side of the Loch). So we had to drive up towards Inverness and then round, through the city, ... ...trees that were screening the Loch from the roadside. When we saw the Loch at it's full glory, it was was like looking at a sparkling ocean stuck down in the middle of the countryside. It was huge!
The first stop we visited was Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition in Drumnadrochit. Don't be fooled by their flashy website, the actual exhibition was rather disappointing. I guess my expectations were raised a little too high. We walked around the ... more
I visited Loch Ness in May. This was my second visit. The first time we visited was a brief drive-by on the way up to the Scottish Highlands a few years ago. This time we stayed at a hotel in Pitlochry, which was about 2 hours drive away. A little further away than we had planned, (we didn't realise that most of the tourist attractions were situated on east side of the Loch). So we had to drive up towards Inverness and then round, through the city, to drive down the opposite shore, which all added to the travel time.
Even though the journey was longer than expected, the scenery certainly made up for it. Rolling hills, looming moutains, and deep valleys. We caught glimpses of the water between the branches of trees that were screening the Loch from the roadside. When we saw the Loch at it's full glory, it was was like looking at a sparkling ocean stuck down in the middle of the countryside. It was huge!
The first stop we visited was Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition in Drumnadrochit. Don't be fooled by their flashy website, the actual exhibition was rather disappointing. I guess my expectations were raised a little too high. We walked around the poorly lit displays, bundled from one room to the next. The sound and visuals were randomly placed so was difficult to follow the presentation. The information about the investigation methods were too technical, (even for me with a science degree!), to fully appreciate the work done at Loch Ness Research Centre.
I felt that the entrance fee did not give value for money. They did not accept the discount vouchers we obtained. The exhibition area was limited, even the shop area was bigger. There was no interactivity during the exhibition to keep your attention either. It ceratinly did not appeal to my children (aged 2 and 6 years) because the displays were placed too high for them to see much. It was probably aimed at technically-minded adults curious about the existence of the Loch Ness monster. I guess I wanted to believe in the Nessie legends too much, and the exhibition was just cashing in on people like me. I wouldn't visit again, unless it improves.
Next, we went on a boat trip tour on Loch Ness itself. It was reasonably priced for an hour on the water. It was wonderful experience and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The guide, who also steered the boat, was excellent as explaining things. My 6 year old son had a chance to be at the helm of the boat and had the controls for part of the ride - an unexpected treat! I learnt so much about the history and other interesting facts about Loch Ness, while watching the stunning scenery go by on the boat. My digital camera was filled to the max with photos by the end of the trip. I would highly recommed the boat ride.
By the end of our visit to Loch Ness, we found some attractions that were good, and some were not-so-good, but on the whole I would visit Loch Ness again and would recommend the area to others.
Advantages: out of the way, sunsets, scenery, Disadvantages: weather, bit out of the way of city's
Ullapool is a picturesque fishing village, add that to the range of facilities and activities available and you have the perfect highland holiday.
Where is Ullapool?
Ullapool is nestled on the shores of Lochbroom about 1 hour North of LochNess and Inverness airport in the Highlands of Scotland. It is the perfect base to discover Ross-shire, Cromarty, Sutherland, The Black Isle and Inverness (where the nearest Air, Rail and Bus Links are). The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board boasts some of the highest rates of repeat business in the country.
How to get to Ullapool
By Road....
From South head up M6 towards, then past Glasgow (A74), Stirling, Perth (A9), Inverness then to Ullapool on the A835.
By Bus....
Buses run from Inverness to Ullapool coincide with ferry times.
o Inverness Station (44) 08705 505050.
o ...
Advantages: modern interior,nearby parking.good food ,its in heart of Inverness Disadvantages: Nearby roads are loud and busy
service menu, and relax with a drink in the bar. There are business services, and wireless Internet access throughout the hotel for those with laptops. Motorists can use nearby parking. The hotel is in an excellent position to explore the surrounding area; Fort George and Cawdor Castle are both eight miles away, and LochNess, with its infamous monster hiding in the depths, is 10 miles distance. Inverness Airport is eight miles away, an approximate driving time of 15 minutes. ...
Advantages: Beauty and peace with something for everyone Disadvantages: I can't think of any
LochNess is arguably the best known of the Scottish lochs, due to the monster who supposedly lives there, know as Nessie to her friends! Whether you choose to believe in the existence of the LochNess Monster or not is up to you but you cannot deny the beauty of the loch and the surrounding area.
LochNess stretches from Inverness in the north to Fort Augustus in the south, a distance of some 24 miles, it reaches a depth of 754 feet at its deepest point and is about one mile wide.
Fort Augustus is a village built around the six locks, which enable boats to make the descent from the Caledonian Canal into LochNess. The fort (of Fort Augustus) was built after the Jacobite uprising in 1715 and named after the then Duke of Cumberland, Prince William Augustus. The site of the fort is now occupied by the 19th century St Benedictine’s ...
