Loch Ness 360° Trail

Tag: inverness

River Ness and the Ness Islands
Curving through the city of Inverness, the River Ness provides a place for locals and tourists alike to relax. Whether that’s through a spot of salmon fishing, walking or simply sitting by the banks, the river offers something for everyone. However there’s more than meets the eye. In the middle of the river, a short walk from the train station, sits the Ness Islands. These havens for wildlife are sanctuaries for finding calm in a busy city. When you visit Inverness, take some time here.

The Ness Islands

Sitting in the River Ness, the Ness Islands have been a city attraction for years. There was a time when if you wanted to explore them, you would have to ride on a boat. Fortunately, there are sturdy Victorian-built bridges which you can take over to remain dry these days!

On any day of the week, a Ness Island walk is often just what you need to blow those cobwebs away. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings can set you up for the day. You might even spot some wildlife too. Ness Islands wildlife includes seals, bats, otters and even deer. The islands also boast a wonderful array of trees. Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar and a magnificent Sequoia can be seen. Sitting under one of these trees and watching the day go by can be most refreshing.

The paths around the islands are well maintained and flat. This means they are suitable for wheelchair users, as well as buggies and prams. The islands are a great place to bring kids. There’s plenty of room for them to run around and explore the area. You can also park pretty close should you wish, in the event you have people of limited mobility in your group.
Nearby Attractions

Closeby you will find the Ness Islands Railway. A treat for both adults and children, this 7 ¼ inch gauge railway makes for a fun activity for all the family. The railway is owned by Highland Hospice, and all operating surplus goes to the hospice. It’s run by enthusiastic volunteers and is not to miss on your visit. Opening times are limited though, so check their website first before making a trip.

And if you are really in the mood for nature, make sure to check out the Inverness Botanic Gardens nearby. Here’s where you can visit a tropical house, a cactus house and walk around the gardens too. The River Ness and Ness Islands area is where you will walk if you start Section 1 of the Loch Ness 360° trail. It makes for a wonderful beginning to your walk.
September 22, 2020
5 Unmissable Viewpoints on the Loch Ness 360° Trail

Stunning Loch Ness Viewpoints

The Loch Ness 360° trail has plenty of amazing locations and beautiful vistas. No matter where you are, there’s always something to see. Whether it’s a view over the loch itself, or out towards the rest of the Highlands of Scotland, there are plenty of Loch Ness viewpoints to make the heart race.

Here are 5 viewpoints that you just can’t miss when visiting Inverness and Loch Ness. They are all accessible from the Loch Ness 360° trail. Some are easier to get to than others, but all of them are worthwhile.

1. Inverness Castle

This is a viewpoint that is right in the centre of Inverness! Inverness Castle can trace its origins back to 1057, with the current building dating from 1836. Although most of it is used as offices today, the north tower is accessible to the public.

From here, you can experience a 360° view out over the River Ness and the city, and beyond into the Highlands. Getting there is via 94 steps – unfortunately, due to the ancient nature of the building, wheelchair access isn’t possible above the ground floor.

This viewpoint is on Section 1 of the LN360° trail.

2. Dores Beach

Not all viewpoints require a climb.

Standing on Dores beach, you are able to look right down the length of Loch Ness. It really gives you a feeling on how big this body of water really is (23 miles or 36km to be precise). If ever there was a place to spot Nessie, this is it! That is why you will find local Nessie hunter Steve Feltham here. He’s been on the lookout for the monster since 1991. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse with him?

Section six of the LN360° trail starts at Dores beach.

3. Falls of Foyers

Watching the Falls of Foyers cascade down into the gorge below is a great sight. It’s a 140ft waterfall that is called Eas na Smùide in Gaelic, meaning “the smoking falls”.

The Falls of Foyers in spate is a ground-shaking experience – literally! The ground shakes under the volume of water thundering down and a misty cloud of moisture hangs in the air. It’s enough to shake you to your core and admire the raw power of nature. Fortunately, Foyers Lodge is nearby and offers a perfect place to stay for the night and recover!

This viewpoint can be seen on Section 5 of the LN360 trail.

4. Suidhe Viewpoint

Of all the viewpoints to try and visit on your trip to Inverness, this one tops many people’s lists. On the south side of Loch Ness, you can get close to the Suidhe viewpoint in a car – but the last climb to the top is really worth the effort, if you can. On a clear day, you can get uninterrupted views across the Highlands in all directions. Try to spot Loch Knockie, Loch Nan Lann, Loch Tarff and Loch Kemp – as well as Loch Ness, of course!

Suidhe Viewpoint is on section 4 of the LN360° trail.

5. Urquhart Castle

Popular attractions are popular for a reason, and Urquhart Castle is no different. This stunning building sits proudly, jutting out into Loch Ness. It’s often busy with tourists, so coming early in the morning may suit those looking for a quieter visit.

Climb up the Grant Tower for an unmissable view over the loch and take in all its glory. There’s also a cafe to enjoy whilst enjoying the day. And remember to travel up the banks a little bit to make sure you get a photo of the loch with the castle in! It’s one of the most well known Loch Ness sights going.

Urquhart Castle is present in section 1 of the LN360° trail.

Views everywhere around Loch Ness

Hopefully, this has given you a taste of some of the sights available around Loch Ness. But don’t just take our word for it – get out there and explore! And let us know your favourite Loch Ness viewpoints on our social media!

June 29, 2020
Dog Walking Holidays

Looking for the perfect adventure with your dog? Look no further than the wonderful Loch Ness 360° Trail. Dog Walking Holidays don’t get much better than this spectacular 80-mile loop around the entirety of Loch Ness. On the trail, you can even enjoy a range of activities with your dog, such as a canoe session on Loch Ness with In Your Element. Or you can enjoy a nature boat ride or go dolphin spotting with your dog with Dolphin Spirit.

The Loch Ness 360 ° Trail is fully dog friendly. All we ask is that you respect the countryside access code and look after the trail, our nature and farming stock whilst walking responsibly with your dog.

Enjoying Nature Trails and Wildlife

During your explorations of the Loch Ness trail, you are sure to experience the most wonderful scenery and nature. The trail is well known for its deer, birdlife, squirrels and other popular animals that dogs love to chase! Furthermore, we enjoy a wide number of floor nesting birds and primarily grounded birds. Such as pheasant and grouse. During your explorations, please protect our wildlife and keep your dog close at all times.

Dog Friendly Accommodation Loch Ness

First things first! Let’s find some dog-friendly accommodation, Loch Ness. Whether you chose to stay in one of our many hotels, B&Bs or self-catering options, or if you want to glamp or wild camp, we have a wide selection of options available all around the loch. To help you find dog-friendly accommodation Loch Ness on Loch Ness, below we have listed accommodation options around the loch starting from Drumnadrochit. This then leads you along the north of Loch Ness to the farthest tip at Fort Augustus. From here, we follow dog-friendly accommodation along the south side back to Inverness:

Dog Walking Holidays, Trail Accommodation

Inverness

The Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

The Corriegarth, Inverness

The Royal Hotel, Inverness

North Loch Ness

Loch Ness Highland Cottages, North Loch Ness

Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge, Drumnadrochit

The Loch Ness Inn, Drumnadrochit

Benleva Hotel, Drumnadrochit

Ancarraig Lodges Loch Ness, North Loch Ness

Eagle Brae, North Loch Ness

Farthest Tip at Fort Augustus

Kettle House, Fort Augustus

South Loch Ness Trail Accommodation

Loch Ness Shores Campsite and Glamping, Nr Fort Augustus

Camerons Tearoom & Cottage, Foyers, South Loch Ness

The Whitebridge Hotel, Whitebridge, South Loch Ness

Foyers Lodge, Foyers

The Craigdarroch Inn, Foyers, South Loch Ness

Dog Friendly Places to Eat on the Loch Ness 360 Trail

Likewise, when looking for dog-friendly walking holidays, finding dog friendly restaurants is also important. We have a range of pubs and dog-friendly cafes listed below to help you. Also, we have included a list of takeaways, so you can sit and eat Al Fresco with your dog:

North Loch Ness

The Clansman, North Loch Ness

Fort Augustus

The Loch Inn, Fort Augustus

South Loch Ness

The Craigdarroch Inn, Foyers, South Loch Ness

Camerons Tearoom & Cottage, Foyers, South Loch Ness

Waterfall Cafe, Foyers

Inverness

Black Isle Brewery Bar, Inverness

The Snow Goose, Inverness

Cafe Nero, Inverness

Dog Friendly Walking Holidays

If you need any more help organising or planning your dog walking holidays around the Loch Ness 360° Trail, please do contact us. Or, for more information on walking smaller sections of the trail, we have split the 80 mile trail into 6 sections for you to explore. We also have a list of other dog walks for you to enjoy whilst on holiday in our lovely area of the Scottish Highlands.

April 23, 2020
Loch Ness 360˚ Trail and Inverness Mountain Biking

Touring Loch Ness and Inverness mountain biking is a thrilling way to see the area. See more in a day than walking, and visit areas you can’t reach by car. Up hills and along forest paths, it’s a thrilling ride that takes you along the loch’s banks and through beautiful Highland towns and villages.

The Loch Ness 360˚ trail is one of the newest outdoor trails in Scotland, and has been planned out so that it is as accessible to mountain bikers. There are just a few minor tweaks to make to the standard walking trail to ensure safety for all.

For convenience, the trail is split into 6 sections. On mountain bike, we recommend following two sections per day to get the most out of your trip. This means it can be done over a long weekend, or over a few days throughout the year. Just pick a couple of sections that take your fancy and ride! The best thing is, the trails change so much throughout the year from spring to winter that doing them at different times can feel like completely different rides.

We’ve written a full description and overview of sections all the routes, but below highlights some of the changes you will need to make on a mountain bike.

LN360˚ Sections 1 & 2

If you plan on starting the trail from Inverness, you’ll take the route of the Great Glen Way. Opened in 2002, Scottish Natural Heritage designated it as one of Scotland’s Great Trails. It’s a stunning route, and you will begin it in front of Inverness Castle. You’ll cross the Caledonian Canal and cycle away from Inverness and towards Loch Ness.

As you continue cycling, Inverness will fade into the distance. You will head along towards Drumnadrochit. Follow the guidance on the section 1 route as written – there are no changes required for mountain bikers.

Section 2 does require a modification. After you set off from Drumnadrochit, you will head towards Invermoriston. At stage 3, we advise mountain bike users to select the Great Glen Way low route here.

LN360˚ Sections 3 & 4

On the second day of the trail, you will begin in the lovely village of Invermoriston. There is a Thomas Telford bridge here that is worth a look before you set off. Follow the trail set out in the main section. The only amendment here is on your way to Fort Augustus, take the alternative low-level route. Just use the signage for Great Glen Way low route.

Section 4 of the trail starts in Fort Augustus. It’s worth spending some time in Fort Augustus – there are some excellent pubs serving terrific local food. You can watch the canal activity as you eat. Once re-stocked, you can continue up towards Foyers. There is a part of Loch Ness 360˚ trail between Inverfarigaig and Foyers which is not suitable for cyclists. The alternate route is via Glen Lia (Gleann Liath).

LN360˚ Sections 5 & 6

On the final leg of this Loch Ness 360˚ cycle trail, you will begin your day in Foyers. This is a great spot to get in some Nessie hunting! Once you start your journey, continue along towards Dores. There is an alternative route here that is suitable for cyclists. Take the low-level alternative between Torbreck Woods and Dores, and not the route over Drumashie Moor. The best route for mountain bikes can be taken by following the cycle route at the side of the B862 to Scaniport (Sustrans Route 78).

In Section 6, simply enjoy the trip all the way back to Inverness as described – no alterations, no amendments, just some excellent trail riding!

We hope you love your time around Loch Ness and Inverness mountain biking. Remember to stay in touch and let us know of any problems, hidden gems or excellent service you get. And share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram – we love seeing them!

December 15, 2019
Preparing for an Emergency: A Jobby Bloggy

Loch Ness 360°’s Toilet Blog

Sometimes, the call of nature is all too real. One minute you’re out on the Loch Ness 360° Trail having a run around, enjoying your hobby. The next, you’re running around because you need a jobby. And when we say jobby, we don’t mean a small DIY task…

Suddenly needing the toilet is all too common (especially as we get older!) but it’s even worse when you’re outdoors and potentially miles from anything that flushes. Luckily, all around Loch Ness are various places you can stop to take care of business. There are also a few rules about wild-pooing that we’d like to explain to you, so that someone doesn’t go and put their foot in it.

Toilets Around Loch Ness

Many people going on the trail around Loch Ness will start at either Inverness in the north, or Fort Augustus at the southern tip. Luckily, there are public toilets available at both places. Inverness toilets include ones at the train station, and at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Fort Augustus toilets are in the Caledonian Canal Centre and at the main car park.

Such was the sheer joy at new public toilets in Fort Augustus in 2009 that a news story about their construction was written!

Along the southern shore of Loch Ness, whilst camping is a magnificent way to spend time, public amenities aren’t common so it’s useful to know where they are. This way, you can plan in advance and hopefully not be caught short.

The Dores Inn offers a rest stop, and whilst there why not enjoy a drink or bite to eat? Further south – around the half way point – there is a lovely toilet at Inverfarigaig. It’s actually one of Loch Ness’ best kept secrets, second only to the monster. There’s a car park, and some rather lovely wooden sculptures to admire post-relief.

On the northern shore, you can find toilets in Drumnadrochit car park. If you are able to get slightly further away from the lochside, the Abriachan Forest Trust Car Park has toilets you can use too.

The Great British Public Toilet Map is an excellent resource for everyone out and about who may wish to spend a penny. Although you don’t have to with this – it’s free!

Jobby Bloggy

Sometimes, however, we’re miles from the nearest porcelain throne and there’s nothing for it but to wild poo. And folks – that’s okay! Better out than in.

There are a few guidelines you should follow though. Basic stuff really, like please don’t poop on the 360° route. It’s so true, it sort of rhymes. And if you will be out for the day, then plan ahead. Buy yourself a nice trowel (you’ll see why in a moment).

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code helps ensure that everyone has statutory access rights to most of Scotland’s outdoors. With regards to pooping outdoors, it says “If you need to urinate, do so at least 30 metres from open water or rivers and streams. If you need to defecate, do so as far away as possible from buildings, from open water or rivers and streams, and from any farm animals. Bury faeces in a shallow hole and replace the turf.”

That makes sense, doesn’t it? So for wild peeing, don’t wee into streams. Don’t poo near anything that something might stand in, slip on or eat (urgh) your deposits. Digging a hole to go in is the best idea, if you can. Then just cover up your droppings and walk away whistling at a jobby well done.

Some even say that if you have a dog poo bag, you could poo into that, then perhaps double-bag it for everyone’s sake before disposing of it correctly. If you try this, do let us know how you get on…

Whatever way works for you, please please don’t just leave your waste lying around. People regularly use the Loch Ness 360° trail, with children going on adventures and dogs sniffing out smells. We don’t want them coming home with your smell on them, do we?

So please share this toilet blog with anyone wild camping or that spends a lot of time outdoors. You never know, it may save someone’s brand new Size 11s from getting binned one day.

September 23, 2019