Full details for all local attractions are available from the Tourist Information Centre in the main Car Park near the Green. The TIC is open 9am-5.30pm daily from April-October; between November and March it is open 9am-12.30pm Mon-Sat; tel 01456/459076. Loch Ness draws visitors from all over the world. DiscoverLochNess Loch Ness Express Jacobite Cruises Castle Cruises Loch Ness Cruises
Urquhart Castle (NTS/Historic Scotland) Apr-Oct Open Mon-Sun 9.30am - 6.30pm (last entry 5.45pm). Oct - Mar 9.30 am - 4.30pm (last entry 3.45pm). Admission £6/£2.40.
Tel +44 (0)1456 450551. Lovely though Loch Ness is, there are many other beautiful and interesting places to visit in the area - here are a few:- CRAFTS Loch Ness Clay Works
Goshem, Bunloit, Drumnadrochit IV63 6XH. Open all hours, all year round, for hand thrown bowls, mugs, jugs, nightlights, oil-lamps, vases and more. Tel: 01456 450402 Photo c Dorcas Sinclair
Shenval Weavers & Toymakers Pierre-Marie and Christiane Lebrun sell weaving, wooden toys, and photographs of the Highlands taken while mountaineering.
Balmacaan Woods (Woodland Trust Scotland) + Craigmonie Woods(Forestry Commission) 35 hectares of ancient woodland and 19th Century arboretum. Signboard with routes is in the main Car Park by the TIC. Since 1996, a local community group, the Craigmonie Woodland Associationhas been working in partnership with the Forestry Commission for the benefit of all.
The Cover (Woodland Trust Scotland)
Urquhart Bay contains an area of unique alder/ash floodplain woodland at the mouths of the Coiltie and Enrich Rivers. The path is marked from Kilmore Old Cemetery, near the Benleva Hotel. photo c Dorcas Sinclair
Divach Falls
30m (100 foot) high and worth the detour; used as a location for the film "Rob Roy" with Liam Neeson. Drive or walk along Balmacaan Road and keep going after the end of the village, over the bridge and up the hill until you see a signboard for the falls. There is a parking area. Approached by a short walk down a clearly marked track (stout footwear may be needed in wet weather). On the other side of the gorge from the viewpoint lies Divach Lodge, where visitors once included the writer J.M. Barrie and actress Ellen Terry.
Coiltie Garden, Divach
Lovingly created by local author Gillian Nelson out of the wild, completely neglected gardens formerly belonging to Divach Lodge. Her inspiring book "To Make A Garden" was published last year and is on sale (£9) at the Gardens. (open to the public in June and July in aid of Scotlands Gardens Scheme. )
Meallfuarvonie At 699 m/2283 ft or so, it's not a Munro, but it's a landmark in Drumnadrochit and for miles around as there are no higher summits nearby. It's an easy ascent, a 6 mile round trip, and there is a car park on the Bunloit road just before Grotaig; the views from the summit on a clear day are breathtaking. The name translates roughly as "lumpy hill on the cold moor" and is pronounced "Meeyowl-fwah-vonn-ah", allegedly. Warning: The summit is always windy and feels chilly even on a hot summer's day. As with all Scottish hills, the weather can change very suddenly so check the forecast and be prepared; take a compass and map, waterproof clothing, stout shoes/boots, emergency food, etc. Photo ofDrumnadrochit and Meallfuarvonie at dawn from Drumbuie c Liam Baker
Abriachan Gardens and Nursery
Excellent views of Loch Ness are matched by the range of beautiful plants growing in the gardens and for sale at very reasonable prices. Admission to gardens by donation to Scotlands Gardens Scheme. Abriachan Forest
In 1988, the Abriachan Community bought 534 hectares of forest and open ground from Forest Enterprise. Since then, the Abriachan Forest Trust has successfully managed the land to create local employment, improve the environment and encourage its enjoyment by the public. There are good walks too. Corrimony
From Drumnadrochit, head up the A831 towards Cannich, passing through the village of Balnain, and you will eventually find a sign pointing left towards Corrimony. Here you will find a superb chambered cairn, similar to those found at Clava, surrounded by a ring of standing stones, some of which are cupmarked. Photo c Holly Hutchens
Further along the road are the ruins of Corrimony House, and the RSPB's Corrimony Nature Reserve, where there are black grouse. Plodda Falls
Continue up the A831 and turn left just before Cannich, then drive on through Tomich. Set in lovely woodlands in the grounds of the now derelict Guisachan House (keep out; it is dangerous to enter) are the Plodda Falls. The bridge over the top with the vertiginous views was built in 1880 by Lord Tweedmouth, or (more probably) by his workmen... Well worth seeing after rain! Glen Affric
Outstandingly beautiful scenery. Since 2001, Glen Affric has been a National Nature Reserve.
The Great Glen Way runs through the village of Drumnadrochit on its way from Fort William to Inverness. Or indeed, vice versa.
Glen Urquhart Public Hall | sitemap | log in
Loch Ness Clay Works
Balmacaan Woods 
The Cover 
Divach Falls
Meallfuarvonie 
