Discover The History And Culture Behind Loch Ness

Looking for a monster-hunting expedition or a journey through the history of the Highlands? Happy Tours has got you covered. This winter, join us as we explore the incredible depths and local culture around the famous Loch Ness. From Nessie to haggis, neeps and tatties - there is so much to experience. Your Highland adventure starts here, with Happy Tours!

Situated in the stunning Highlands of Scotland lies the breathtaking and world-famous Loch Ness. With depths as far down as 788 feet and stretching an enormous 23 miles, this incredible Loch has the greatest volume of fresh water in all of the UK. Loch Ness forms a vast part of the Caledonian Canal which travels throughout Scotland and of course our Happy Tours hometown, Inverness. Our Happy Tours team are thrilled to offer you the chance to see the incredible Great Glen in so many of our Highland tours – including our Isle of Skye, Culloden Battlefield and Glenfinnan Viaduct tours. Check out our website to securely book online or give our team a call to find out more.

Drumnadrochit

Looking for somewhere to grab a bite and learn about some local Loch culture? Then the village of Drumnadrochit is your one-stop-shop. Situated on the northern shore of Loch Ness, this charming village hosts an array of local cuisine and handmade gifts that are crafted by locals just as unique as the products themselves. Many of the locals were born and raised by the Lochside so you will never be short of stories, mythical gossip or expert knowledge…although our trusty @maninthekilt has plenty of that to go around as well. Drumnadrochit is an amazing place to begin exploring the Highlands of Scotland with its endless hiking, cycling and monster hunting opportunities around every corner. While exploring this stunning community of colourful characters and local landmarks, visitors to Drumnadrochit can also enjoy the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition which dives into great detail about the history behind the icy waters and their famous inhabitant. Our Happy Tours team do apologise though if your only sighting of Nessie is the replica outside the centre…

Nessie, The Loch Ness Monster

Nessie the Loch Ness monster, we all know the legend and of course, it is a huge part of why Loch Ness is such a popular destination when visiting Scotland. Whether you believe that Nessie is real or not, there is no denying that anyone who lays their eyes on the vast water of Loch Ness is hoping that they will be the one to finally – and genuinely – discover the world-famous water serpent. The legend of our Loch Ness monster dates back as early as the era of the Picts, where carvings of an enormous water creature that lives in the darkest depths first emerged. But, according to the biography of St Columba, he made the first sighting of our mysterious Loch dweller in 565 AD. Supposedly Nessie attacked some of his sailors and St Columba had to bravely step forward and command the monster to return to the depths of the Loch – is it true? We’ll let you decide. Since then, many people have claimed to spot the Loch Ness monster emerging from the water or swimming beneath their boats but no evidence so far has ever been proven true. Come join us on our Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness tour to see if you may be just the right person to spot our local celebrity. We hope you have your camera ready!

Urquhart Castle

Standing proud like the protector of the Loch is the 1,000-year-old Urquhart Castle. With stunning natural landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, this dramatic piece of Highland history has played its part in battles throughout the centuries. Surviving sieges from the English during battles for Scottish independence and pillages from the Lords of the Isles that wished to challenge the Scottish crown – Urquhart Castle is a true survivor. Visitors of Urquhart Castle can enjoy the incredible views of Loch Ness from the mighty Grant Tower and take a look into the eerie cell that supposedly held the legendary Domhnall Don – a brave warrior and impressive poet. Experience the legends and stories behind Urquhart Castle through the vast collection of historic artefacts that have been left behind by past residents, including a fully-functional trebuchet siege engine. And, if you wish to stop for a coffee and cake, you won’t have to travel far since Urquhart Castle has its own cafe that is fully accessible and hosts stunning views of the noble ruins. Take a glimpse into the history of the greatest medieval ruin that the Highlands has ever known on one of our Isle of Skye or Culloden Battlefield tours. Discover the years of struggle, drama and great battles that have unfolded here…and discover it all with Happy Tours.

Fort Augustus

Lying on the most southern tip of our beautiful Loch Ness is the charming and historic village of Fort Augustus. This quaint community is the perfect halfway stop between our Happy Tours hometown of Inverness and the busy town of Fort William – famous for the tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis. Fort Augustus is a beautiful and incredibly popular tourist destination that offers picturesque views of Loch Ness and an abundance of natural walkways for keen hikers, including the Great Glen Way. When visiting Fort Augustus, a browse around the incredible local shops and cafes is a must as they proudly offer locally sourced produce and one of a kind gifts that would be perfect for the family or as a souvenir of your adventure. Fort Augustus also offers its visitors the chance to marvel at the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre which tells of the history behind our beloved canal and makes the perfect spot to watch the boats passing by. Interested in exploring this picturesque village and its surroundings? Join us on our Glenfinnan Viaduct and Great Glen tour to see this and so much more.

Get In Touch

So, are you ready to delve into the icy depths of Loch Ness’ history and culture? For more information, get in touch at tours@happy-tours.biz or give our friendly team a call on +44(0)7828 154 683. There is so much to see and even more to discover in the Scottish Highland’s Great Glen.