Holiday homes & rentals near Loch Ness

No one can resist the mythical history of Loch Ness: its beauty evokes awe and wonder, and its monstrous seabeds are legendary. Whether you're a solo traveller or taking a family holiday, enjoy a relaxing and recharging break in nature when you reserve a cozy cottage or one of the modern Loch Ness lodges set in this breathtaking landscape.

Explore whiskey and gastronomy on your Loch Ness holiday

In the 1930s, whiskey-fueled gossipers used to spread rumours of the Loch Ness monster’s legend. Whiskey is an important element of Scottish identity. With a long history of distillation, Scotland is home to about 125 distilleries, many of which are in the Highlands. There are a couple distilleries within easy driving distance of Loch Ness (just make sure you have a designated driver to get you back to your Loch Ness cabin). To the west you'll find Glen Ord Distillery, and to the east of the lake, the Tomatin Distillery. Both offer tours and tastings.

For foodies, the Loch Ness Inn is a must. Located in Drumnadrochit, a village lying on the western shore of the lake, this restaurant is well-known for its menu of fresh fish and prawns from nearby Applecross Bay, and beef and lamb from the Black Isle. There are also craft beers produced by Loch Ness Brewery, as well as a fine selection of Scotch whiskey and gin. Overlooking a green area of the village, there is also the Fiddler's, where you will find an excellent Haggis, a savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck, as well as other typical Scottish dishes, and a huge selection of beers and cider. You can also go on a fishing tour and cook your catch at home in your Loch Ness holiday rental.

Exploring local Loch Ness history and culture

From the Loch Ness holiday cottages, head to the village of Drumnadrochit. Here you can learn all about the myths and legends of ‘Nessie’, the lake's mythical monster, at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition. This institute displays historical research equipment, original underwater footage, and over 1,000 Nessie sighting testimonies, as well as Nessieland, an attraction ideal for families. About two miles southeast, the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle offer spectacular views with a dose of decadent charm. Once part of the largest Highlands fortress, the castle ruins are right on the shores of the lake. Inside the castle, be sure to go up Grant's Tower to admire the melancholic and suggestive panorama, and explore the castle's prison, which is said to have hosted the legendary Gaelic poet Domhnall Donn.

Excursions around Loch Ness

With or without a monster in its bowels, the lake is beautiful and dotted with pleasant attractions, among which Fort Augustus stands out. Once at a military crossroads, today it is the heart of the Caledonian Canal, one of the largest canalization works in the world. Passing through four freshwater lakes, the Loch Ness, the Oich, the Lochy and the Linnhe, it connects the Sea of the North to the Atlantic Ocean, Inverness to Fort William. The origins of this small settlement are about 1000 years old, when the first clans settled in these territories, giving it the Gaelic name of 'Kiliwhimin'. The name remained until the Jacobite Wars led the British, in 1715, to build a fort on this territory to control the rebels of the Highlands.

Loch Ness for music lovers and knitters

It is always exciting to explore a new destination during a popular annual event. The city of Inverness and Loch Ness host some of the biggest festivals in Scotland. Belladrum Estate near Inverness hosts an incredibly eclectic music and arts festival, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. The event is famous for its variety of music styles, as well as for promoting a family-friendly environment. It usually takes place at the beginning of August and entertains visitors with live acts, local talents, and a series of side activities dedicated to children.

If you are travelling to Loch Ness in autumn, then the Loch Ness Knit Festival is where you want to be: a gathering of knitters coming from every corner of the globe, this three-day annual meeting celebrates the rich crafting traditions of this region and the country. Taking place in Inverness in October, it welcomes around 1500 visitors from all over the world.

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