Loch Ness lies along the Great Glen fault line – a deep geological rift between Inverness and Fort William, dividing the north east highlands with the south west. At the bottom of this valley are three beautiful lochs including Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy, and the fjords of Loch Linnhe and the Moray Firth.
Loch Ness is 23 and half miles long, up to 250m deep and is said to be haunted by its elusive monster, Nessie. The loch is bounded by the A82 which follows the west side of the shore and on the east by the old route built by General Wade and which runs between Fort George and Fort Augustus.
Loch Ness’ most famous castle, Urquhart, is built on the promontory at the south end of Urquhart Bay. Its foundations date from the 13th Century and its extensive ruins provides a colourful history which is told in the exhibition and audiovisual display in the new visitor centre which is open all year.
For a glimpse of the monster folklore, there are themed exhibition centres at Drumnadrochit close by. Visitors can see audiovisual presentation following the sonar hunts, underwater cameras and computer studies of the monster.
Loch Ness has a lot more to see and experience than a mysterious monster. You can take boat trips along the Caledonian Canal and visit the eponymous Heritage Centre. There is also the Clansman Centre, a living museum based around a reconstructed 17th century turf house where costumed clansmen give a vivid account of Highland life of old.
For the more active, walkers can choose from a number of way marked routes including the Great Glen Way, and for cyclists there is also a Great Glen Cycleway. Fishing and pony trekking are also an excellent way to experience the wonderful and diverse scenery.