Loch Ness 360° Trail

Tag: views

Cruises on Loch Ness
Here at Loch Ness 360°, we promote activities around the Loch. This could be walking, cycling or running. But there’s a different way to explore the beauty of the loch, and that’s on the waves. If you would like to cruise Loch Ness on a boat, then you have plenty of options. It’s a wonderful thing to do, whether you would like some time to yourself in this amazing land, or something to do with the family. At 20 miles long and 700 feet at its maximum depth, there’s going to be a lot to see on this cruise.

Loch Ness boat trips

So what can you see when you go on a Loch Ness boat trip? For a start, there’s the stunning wildlife. In this part of Scotland, you can often see ospreys and golden eagles soaring in the sky. Deer can often be spotted on the hills. And as for what lurks beneath the waters? Well, there’s been a few thoughts on that! The Loch Ness Monster has been a legendary story for many years now – but who’s to say she won’t pop her head up when you visit?

If you are looking to do some Nessie hunting yourself, getting on a boat with a pair of binoculars is a good start. However to really see what’s beneath the waves, you need tech. Companies like Loch Ness Cruises offer colour sonars, radar and GPS to make sure you don’t miss the next sighting!

History & heritage of Loch Ness

The best Loch Ness cruise will offer guides to explain what you are seeing. And there is a lot to see on a cruise. Some of the heritage is also beautiful – for example Urquhart Castle, perched on the loch’s banks. Let your guide take you back in time to 1200s, when the castle was stolen by the English and all the way to the 1600s when it became a ruin. Fans of the Outlander series might recognise it from the TV show too (although there’s no water horses around these days!).
Choosing your Loch Ness Boat Trip provider

There are many companies offering different experiences for you on Loch Ness. Loch Ness boat hire is also available should you wish to take to the water yourself in your own time. You could even turn it into a holiday and stay on a boat for a few days too. Whatever your desire, be it a short cruise or longer stay, you are sure to have an amazing experience on Loch Ness. Do book in advance, as some operators close for the winter. But whenever you decide to cruise Loch Ness, make sure you share your best photos with us on our social media pages!
October 17, 2020
A (Brief) History of Urquhart Castle
When you conjure up an image of Loch Ness in your mind, you’ll probably think of the deep, dark water, the rolling hills and maybe even a special monster having a swim. But chances are, you’ll also picture Urquhart Castle. You might not know its name, but you have probably seen its photo.

Perched on the shore and jutting out into the water, the ruins of Urquhart Castle date from the 16th Century. It’s a well-known landmark, visited by thousands of tourists each year. It’s a castle Loch Ness tucks around. Urquhart Castle was also in Outlander, as the place where Claire spots the “water horse”. But why is there a castle here, and what happened to it?

We’re glad you asked.

Urquhart Castle History

Some archaeological evidence suggests that the site of today’s castle was once a Pictish residence. It is thought that it was visited by St Columba in AD 580 in order to give the last rites to a Pictish elder. St Columba not only brought Christianity to the area, but is said to have had a run-in with a monster in the loch. Alas, all of the details are lost to history.

However it isn’t until the 1200s that we start to really understand the history of the area. In the 1230s, King Alexander II of Scotland gave the Durward family permission to build a castle on the land. Unfortunately, in 1296, the English captured the castle during the Wars of Independence. These wars are creatively depicted in the film Braveheart, focusing on freedom fighter William Wallace.

And it was under the name of his enemy, King Edward I that the castle was captured. After the Scots won this war and the English were sent home “tae think again”, there was peace in the land…for six years. In 1303, Edward took the castle by invasion again, and held it for five years until the forces of Robert the Bruce reclaimed it.
The end of the beginning

In 1509 the castle was gifted to the clan Grant. However another local clan, the MacDonalds, were on a quest for power in the region. Urquhart Castle would be a diamond in their collection. So they undertook multiple raids of the area, ending in 1545 with the “Great Raid”.

The MacDonalds managed to take away practically everything of any value from the castle. This included twelve beds, six pans and two brewing cauldrons. The castle never recovered its wealth, and when Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland in 1650, he didn’t really bother with the place. He just took over some of the fortifications at Inverness and Fort William instead.

Which takes us to 1692, the year the castle became a ruin. In the Jacobite uprising of 1689 – the one with Bonnie Prince Charile where he went over the sea to Skye – trouble came again to Inverness. This time, after King James VII went into exile, Government forces stationed at Urquhart Castle blew up sections of it, so stop it falling into enemy Jacobite hands.

And that is the state of the castle to this day. A beautiful ruin by a beautiful loch with a remarkable history. Visiting the castle is something you must do on your trip to Loch Ness. You’ll find it on Section 1 of the Loch Ness 360° trail. Urquhart Castle is a gem of the Scottish Highlands, not to be missed.
September 22, 2020
5 More Unmissable Highland Views

If you are coming to Scotland for some beautiful Highland views, then you are spoiled for choice! We’ve already suggested 5 stunning viewpoints to take in, but how could we possibly stop there? We asked around, and here are 5 more viewpoints which we think you should definitely get on your to-see list. This might mean coming back to Loch Ness a few times – and that’s a good thing!

Fair Haired Lad’s Pass

If there’s something that Scotland is good at, it’s coming up with brilliant names for places. And so, the Fair Haired Lad’s Pass. This is the high point on the South Loch Ness Trail, and offers magnificent views out over Loch Ness. If you’re looking for Highland walks that are remote with amazing views out towards Urquhart Castle, this is the place for you.

The name, by the way, is believed to come from the Gaelic “Cadha a’ Ghille Bhain”, meaning the Pass of the Fair Haired Lad. The story goes that a pensioner, collecting his first pension, got lost in the area one stormy night and died. A sad tale for such a beautiful spot.

You can take in the Fair Haired Lad’s Pass by travelling along Section 5 of the Loch Ness 360° Trail.

Borlum Bay

Not all great views need you to climb a summit. The view from Borlum Bay up the length of Loch Ness to Dores is magnificent. It’s on the north side of Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit and offers wonderful views across the water. On a sunny day, you will see what looks like an island at the Dores end. But it’s just a mirage!

While you’re there, be sure to visit Urquhart Castle. It’s one of the busier attractions of the Loch, but certainly worth a trip. And definately spend some time in Drumnadrochit too – especially at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition to find out more about this beautiful stretch of water.

You’ll pass through this area when on Section 2 of the Loch Ness 360° Trail.

Craig Dunain

Craig Ferguson, Craig David, Craig Charles – they’re all good, but none of them offer as good a view as Craig Dunain! A craig in Scotland is a rocky hill, and Craig Dunain, just outside Inverness, offers lovely views down its slopes towards Inverness city.

It’s popular Inverness walk with locals and if you have any dogs, they can run freely around here. You will pass through Dunain Community Woodland, which gives you the chance to see some forest wildlife.

You will pass this area on Section 1 of the Loch Ness 360° Trail.

Allt na Criche

The view of Fort Augustus and Loch Ness from the Allt na Criche viewpoint on the Great Glen Way is spellbinding. Meaning ‘boundary stream’, Allt na Criche is just north of Fort Augustus and offers a woodland experience. There’s a steep and strenuous rise, but once at the top you can admire the view, including down onto Fort Augustus Abbey. It’s a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the scenery.

You will pass this area on Section 3 of the Loch Ness 360° Trail

Balchraggan Farm

Balchraggan farm sits on the South Loch Ness Trail, and offers a wonderful vantage point of the area. After some Highland hiking you can look down to the towering rocky bluffs of Dun Dearduil above Inverfarigaig and over Loch Ness. For history enthusiasts, there are what is left of two Iron Age forts on Dun Dearduil.

You will pass this area on Section Five of the Loch Ness 360° Trail.

So what are you waiting for? With plenty of stunning vistas around Inverness and Loch Ness, get out there and enjoy the Highland views!

July 27, 2020