The Great Glen - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 196

Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition
On the main A82 • Daily: Easter-June, Sept & Oct 9.30am-5pm; July & Aug 9.30am-6pm; Nov-Easter 10am-3.30pm • £6.95 • T 01456
450573, W lochness.com
Of the two major monster hubs in Drumnadrochit (the other being the Nessieland
Monster Centre), the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition is the better bet, offering an
in-depth rundown of eyewitness accounts and information on various Nessie
research projects.

Nessieland Monster Centre
Just west of the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition on the A831 • Sept-June 9am-5pm; July & Aug 9am-9pm • £6 • T 01456 450342,
W nessieland.co.uk
Aimed mainly at families, the Nessieland Monster Centre has an exhibition on monster
sightings, a plastic model of Nessie for kids to clamber on, plus its own adventure
playground. Couples and solo travellers might prefer a quiet drink at the adjacent
Loch Ness Lodge Hotel , whose wood-panelled and heavily tartanized interior is said to
harbour a resident ghost.

3

Castle Urquhart
Beside the loch: 2 miles southeast of Drumnadrochit and just off the A82 • Daily: April-Sept 9.30am-6pm; Oct 9.30am-5pm; Nov-March
9.30am-4.30pm • £7.90; HS
The thirteenth-century ruined lochside Castle Urquhart , a couple of miles from
Drumnadrochit, was built as a strategic base to guard the Great Glen. The castle was
taken by Edward I of England and later held by Robert the Bruce against Edward III,
only to be blown up in 1692 to prevent it from falling to the Jacobites. Today it's one
of Scotland's classic picture-postcard ruins, particularly splendid at night when it's
floodlit and the crowds have gone. In the small visitor centre, a short film highlights
the turbulent history of the castle.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DRUMNADROCHIT AND AROUND

By bus Drumnadrochit is served by frequent buses from
Inverness, Fort William and Fort Augustus, which arrive and
depart from near the post o ce, on the A82.

Destinations Fort Augustus (up to 10 daily; 35min); Fort
William (up to 9 daily; 1hr 30min); Inverness (at least
hourly; 30min).

INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist information In the middle of the main car park
in the village (April & May Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun
10am-3pm; June Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-6pm;
July & Aug Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Sept &
Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-3pm; Nov-March

Tues-Sat 9.30am-3.30pm; T 01456 459086).
Boat tours The sonar-equipped Nessie Hunter (Easter-
Oct hourly 9am-6pm; £15; T 01456 450395, W loch-ness
-cruises.com) runs hour-long cruises on the loch, which can
be booked at the Nessieland Monster Centre.

ACCOMMODATION
Benleva Kilmore Rd, Kilmore T 01456 450080,
W benleva.co.uk. Small, basic hotel in Kilmore, a 15min
walk from the monster centres of Drumnadrochit. The
six e n-su ite rooms have tartan bedspreads and free
wi-fi. £70
Borlum Farm A mile southeast of central Drumna-
drochit, off the A82 T 01456 450220, W borlum.com.
Attractive campsite overlooking the village, with space
for caravans and tents. The site is part of a popular
ridi ng sc hool offering lessons, rides and treks (from £15/
hr). £12 /pitch
Glenkirk B&B 300m west of Nessieland Monster

Centre along the A831 T 01456 450802, W lochness
bandb.com. Bright, friendly B&B in a former church
located just a few minutes' walk from the centre, with
simple yet smartly decorated bedrooms. £80
Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge Coiltie Farmhouse,
Lewiston; follow the signs to the left when coming
from Drumnadrochit T 01456 450807, W lochness
-backpackers.com. For a cheap bed for the night, head
for this immaculate and friendly hostel, which has dorms,
private rooms a nd g ood facili ties including a bar and two
lounges. Dorms £18 ; doubles £52