Hotels near the Loch Ness

For some, the idea that Nessie - the Loch Ness Monster - exists is a myth. Visit the atmospheric Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands to decide for yourself if there is any truth to the mystery.

The first written account of a meeting with Nessie is in 565 AD. Apparently St Columba heard about the monster's murder of a man, so he rowed out into the loch to quell the beast. His admonishment seems to have worked, as there has been no reports of fatalities ever since.

Over the last 100 years there have been several "sightings". But, so far at least, scientists have been unable to verify that Nessie is alive and well. There are viewpoints all along the 44 miles around Loch Ness. The little village of Drumnadrochit is a useful staging post for those hoping for a glimpse, or at least to buy a Nessie trinket to take home.

For atmosphere take a walk to the splendid ruins of Castle Urquhart, just south of Drumnadrocht, where the natural beauty of the landscape and the vast expanse of the loch can certainly bewitch you into thinking you can see something moving through the water...