Loch Ness in a day

Inverness to Loch Ness: A Day Trip from the Kingsmills Hotel

The journey from Inverness to Loch Ness is short, scenic and unforgettable. Why? Because Loch Ness is a vast, ancient loch. And best of all, it sits just a short drive from the Kingsmills Hotel. What’s more, just like us, it’s full of history, legend and romance.

It takes around 2.5 hours to drive the Inverness to Loch Ness loop, with plenty to see along the way. So, if you only have one day, this itinerary helps you make the most of it. Now, read on to plan the perfect Loch Ness day trip from your base in Inverness, the Kingsmills Hotel.

Getting to Loch Ness from Inverness

Getting to Loch Ness from Inverness couldn’t be easier. From the Kingsmills Hotel, join the A82, and you’ll reach the northern shore in around 20 minutes. As a result, the loch is close enough for a full day out, yet you’re back for dinner without a long drive.

Prefer not to drive? An Inverness to Loch Ness bus runs regularly, and the bus from Inverness to Loch Ness drops you at the main village stops. You can also join an Inverness to Loch Ness cruise that includes coach transfer. Either way, a trip to visit Loch Ness starts just minutes from your room.

Breakfast at the Kingsmills Hotel

Every good day trip starts with a proper breakfast. For guests staying at the Kingsmills Hotel, the day begins with a hearty Scottish breakfast. Help yourself to the continental buffet first, then tuck into a freshly cooked breakfast, with unlimited tea, coffee, milk and juice. It’s exactly the fuel you need for the road ahead. Finally, once you’re ready, the A82 and Loch Ness are just up the road.

Morning: Jacobite Cruise and Drumnadrochit

Leave the Kingsmills Hotel and follow the A82 along the northern shore of Loch Ness. Your first stop is a sightseeing cruise with Loch Ness by Jacobite Cruises, roughly a 20-minute drive. Cruises depart from either Dochgarroch or Clansman Harbour, so book ahead and check your departure point. Truly, it’s a magical way to see the loch from the water.

Next, carry on for about 10 minutes to the legendary village of Drumnadrochit. This is monster-spotting country, and you can visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition to dig into the myth. Alternatively, you can tour the dramatic lochside ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed spots.

Lunch: Fort Augustus

Continue along the A82 to Fort Augustus, around 30 minutes from Drumnadrochit. This pretty village sits at the loch’s southern tip, gateway to the Caledonian Canal. There’s plenty to eat and drink here, and you can take a scenic canal walk, watch the boats work through the locks, or browse the gift shops.

History fans can also explore the Caledonian Canal Centre or step back in time at the Clansman Centre to learn about 17th-century Highland life.

Afternoon: Foyers and Dores

Now for the return leg, along the quieter eastern shore. Take the B862 for about 40 minutes and stop at Foyers for the walk to the Falls of Foyers, which are a wonderful sight. The path is fairly easy, too, though steep and rocky in places. However, there’s a Waterfall Café for a well-earned break.

Heading back towards Inverness, squeeze in one last stop at Dores Beach, around 20 minutes on. This long shingle beach offers the best place to see Loch Ness stretching south-west down the Great Glen. And best of all? There’s a pub right beside it. Finally, from Dores, it’s a short 20-minute drive back to the Kingsmills Hotel.

Dinner and Drinks Back at the Kingsmills Hotel

Back at the Kingsmills Hotel, it’s time to relax after your Loch Ness road trip. Choose from our restaurants for dinner, indoor and out, all serving fresh, local, seasonal dishes. All in all, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic amenities. Which is why our guests return so often and recommend us so strongly for Loch Ness day trips.

After dinner: Whisky Bar

And for that nightcap, why not finish the day with a cocktail or a dram or two of whisky in our Whisky Bar? Many of our guests love browsing over 100 whiskies here, and it’s not hard to see why with such beautiful, uniquely Scottish surroundings. In fact, we’d say it’s the perfect way to unwind before retiring to your comfy bed!

Places to Stay Near Loch Ness

Looking for places to stay near Loch Ness? The Kingsmills Hotel is one of the best, just over a mile from Inverness city centre. We’re also roughly 20 minutes from the loch, with free parking and easy access to the A82. So you get the best of both worlds. Spend your days exploring the water, the castles and the glens. Then return each evening to a comfortable room, a spa, a pool and amazing restaurants.

Among Loch Ness places to stay, a hotel like ours has real advantages over a remote lochside B&B. You’re close to the loch, yet also to Inverness, its airport and the wider Highlands. That makes the Kingsmills Hotel an ideal base to visit Loch Ness in Scotland and much more besides.

Make the Kingsmills Your Base to Visit Loch Ness

A day at Loch Ness is unforgettable, and it’s better still with the right base to come home to. From the Kingsmills Hotel, the loch, Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus, and Inverness itself are all within easy reach.

So, to plan more adventures, see our Inverness Guide, browse our latest offers, then book a stay with us. You can also contact our team to learn more about our Inverness hotel and the surrounding area.