Loch Ness tour from Inverness: Urquhart Castle & Fort Augustus
A full day tracing Loch Ness from its ruined castle to the 165-foot Falls of Foyers
This eight-hour Loch Ness tour from Inverness follows the Caledonian Canal to the loch's edge, stopping at the 13th-century Urquhart Castle, the village of Fort Augustus for lunch and an optional boat cruise, the Falls of Foyers, and Dores Beach on the east shore. The tour departs at 08:45 with a live guide, air-conditioned coach and digital translations available. Castle entry and the Loch Ness cruise are optional add-ons booked in advance. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour operates in all weather.
Step-by-step itinerary
Loch Ness and Highlands tour from Inverness
- Depart Inverness at 08:45
- Travel along Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness
- Visit Urquhart Castle ruins
- Drive to Fort Augustus
- Optional boat cruise on Loch Ness
- Lunch in Fort Augustus
- Stop at Falls of Foyers
- Visit Dores Beach
- Return to Inverness
- Urquhart Castle 1h 30m
- Fort Augustus 3h
- The Falls of Foyers 1h
- Dores Beach 1h
What’s included
- Air-conditioned coach.
- live guide commentary in English with digital translations available in German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin on request.
- transport to Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus, Falls of Foyers and Dores Beach.
- Tuesday to Sunday 08:45
Information
Eight-hour Loch Ness tour from Inverness with stops at Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus, Falls of Foyers and Dores Beach.
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The experience
The tour leaves Inverness at 08:45 and heads north along the Caledonian Canal toward Loch Ness, the largest body of water by volume in the British Isles. At over 700 feet deep and 24 miles long, the loch is famous for sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, and you'll have most of the morning to search its waters. Your first stop is Urquhart Castle, a 13th-century ruin on the loch's western shore where you can explore the structure itself, visit the visitor centre, and take in views across the water (entry is optional and booked ahead of time).
From there the tour continues to Fort Augustus, a village of just 650 people where the Caledonian Canal meets the loch. This is where lunch happens, and you have the option to add a one-hour boat cruise across Loch Ness with Cruise Loch Ness before or after eating. The small-town pace (watching boats pass through the canal locks while you eat) is part of what makes the stop work. On 20 and 24 December, the cruise doesn't run, so you'll have lunch and time to view the loch from the shore instead.
The return journey to Inverness includes a stop at the Falls of Foyers, a 165-foot waterfall that was a favourite spot for poet Rabbie Burns. You'll have time to walk down to the water and take in the setting before the coach moves on to Dores Beach on the east shore of Loch Ness. The pebble beach is a short visit (enough to stretch and look across the water) before the final drive back to Inverness, where the tour ends.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the Loch Ness tour from Inverness?
The tour runs for eight hours and forty minutes, departing at 08:45 and returning to Inverness in the late afternoon. The itinerary includes time at Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus for lunch, the Falls of Foyers, and Dores Beach, with travel between stops built into the day.
What is Urquhart Castle like?
Urquhart Castle is a 13th-century ruin on the western shore of Loch Ness with a visitor centre and views across the water. Entry is optional and must be booked in advance. If you add it, you'll have plenty of time to explore the structure and grounds.
Is there a boat cruise on Loch Ness included?
A one-hour boat cruise across Loch Ness is available as an optional add-on at Fort Augustus and must be pre-booked. On 20 and 24 December, the cruise does not operate, and you'll have lunch and time to view the loch from the village instead.
What's included in the tour price?
The tour includes an air-conditioned coach, live guide commentary, and transport to all four stops. Food and drinks, attraction tickets (castle and cruise), and gratuities are not included. You'll arrange and pay for lunch in Fort Augustus separately.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you'll want to dress appropriately for Scottish Highlands weather. Rain, wind and cold are common even in summer, so waterproof jackets and layers are a good idea.
Operated by Timberbush Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Loch Ness tour from Inverness: Urquhart Castle & Fort Augustus
8h 45m · EN
from £ 55 per person
≈ US$ 74 in your currency
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