Located on one of the most famous lochs, Urquhart Castle Scotland also known as the Loch Ness Castle has played a major role in Scottish History. Nowadays the ruins of the Stronghold are open to the public or can simply be admired from the road.
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The Loch Ness Castle - Video
Located on the most famous loch in Scotland, Urquhart castle is sometimes called the Loch Ness Castle as it might be easier to remember...
The ruins date from the 13th century to the 16th century, but there were earlier medieval fortifications on the site. Through the centuries the stronghold of Urquhart has played a significant part in the Scottish history and inspired poets and artists.
It is located at 2/3 of the Loch Ness towards the North on a headland. The Loch Ness is of course famous for its monster Nessie. It is the second largest loch by surface area and the most famous loch in Scotland.
Let's start with a short video of the drive to and the views of Urquhart Castle Scotland, alias the Loch Ness Castle:
PLANNING TIPS - Urquhart Castle Scotland
Getting to Urquhart Castle Scotland
- Along Loch Ness, Near Drumnadrochit on A82
- Postcode: IV63 5XJ
- 30min from Inverness, 2h15 from Portree, 3h30 from Glasgow and Edinburgh
- Loch Ness Tours from Edinburgh can be done in 1 Day
The GPS coordinates and location on a practical map are available on my travel guide (it facilitates the planning of your itinerary)
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Visiting the Loch Ness Castle
- All facilities on site
- Price: £12
- Opening hours: 9:30am to 6pm or 8pm in Summer, 9:30 to 4:30pm in Winter (last entry 45 min before closing)
- Plan 1 hour to explore the ground and admire the artefact, 15 minutes if only watching from the outside (from the carpark and the road, see below in the post)
- The visitor center presents the history of the castle, with examples of weapons and everyday objects. A short film is also projected
- Visitors can climb the remains of the castle's tower for views of Loch Ness
- Drumnadrochit is the main town nearby. See my Scotland Accommodations page for information about where I stayed
Urquhart Castle - Visitor center
Driving along Loch Ness, Scotland
The drive on A82 takes you on the Western shore of Loch Ness. The second largest in Scotland by surface and the first one by volume, the loch is surrounded by low hills.
I must admit that this was not my favorite loch. It gets very touristy, but it is a lot less scenic because of the lower mountains, especially if you compare it to Loch Leven for example.
The ruins of the Loch Ness Castle are on a headland where the loch gets wider:
Access to Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle Scotland is well indicated
Urquhart Castle Carpark
Views from the carpark
I arrived too late the visit Urquhart Castle. So, I looked for places to see it from the outside. Along the carpark there are many trees, but a few openings allow you to see the ruins with the loch Ness behind them. You will just have to wait for your turn as there are not many openings (as least when I visited).
Here are a few shots:
Views from the road
But if you walk up the carpark and along the road, where the loch is the widest, you get unobstructed views of the Loch Ness Castle as well as nice views of Loch Ness.
I was lucky that at the end of May the flowers were blooming, giving me a little bit of sunshine as the clouds were covering the sky.
As you can see not much remains of the ruins, so I was not disappointed to not being able to visit.
If you want to have a look at pictures of the Loch Ness Castle from the inside, check out Sara's post about Urquhart Castle Scotland. That way you can decide if you think it is worth it.
And keep track of your own trip!
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Hi Claire
We are travelling in June by Cruise ship only 1 day in each Port Glasgow Inverness and Edinburgh. We are planning on spending the day in the city when we are in Edinburgh but need some ideas from Glasgow to highlands could you give us your day trip suggestions not to be missed please. Thank you so much Patti B
HI Patti,
I recommend for you to check out my article about the day trips from Edinburgh – Glasgow is not far away so similar day trips are possible – https://www.zigzagonearth.com/best-day-trips-from-edinburgh-scotland/
If you don’t want to drive yourself, there are many organized day trips proposed on Getyourguide: Check out the options
I wish you a wonderful trip!
Claire