Driving to Loch Ness from Glasgow

[Joe Hessert]

 

Visitors to Scotland who start their trip in Glasgow may want to spend a day driving the iconic Scottish countryside to see one of the most legendary locations in all the world: Loch Ness.

This fun adventure can be completed round-trip in a day, but due to the length of the drive I recommend breaking the trip up with an overnight in Inverness, Scotland. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of this memorable outing during your trip to the United Kingdom.

Drive North From Glasgow to the Historic Loch Ness

While you can arrange for a driver, book a car rental in Glasgow early and you’ll actually save money. What’s more, hiring a car will give you a chance to drive on the “wrong side of the road” in low-traffic country, a fun and low-risk memory that you can brag about for years to friends and family.

The drive north via the A9 will take you through the Scottish Highlands, and is well worth the 3.5 hours or so it will take you. You can break the trip from Glasgow up, or change up the route (most routes will take less than 4 hours), and that will get you to the Loch in time for plenty of mid-day photos and scouting adventures to try to catch a glimpse of the infamous Loch Ness Monster.

The jury is split on exactly how inspiring a visit to Loch Ness is. Some people find it to be a unique, quirky, and fun destination which is full of lore and mystery, while others find it to be a small, plain loch.

Personally, I’m in the camp that this is a bucket-list type destination, and a great destination to visit with kids, reading them stories and sharing the lore of the location in the weeks leading up to the outing to make it a truly one-of-a-kind adventure.

My favorite place to enjoy views of Loch Ness is Urquhart Castle, an ancient, crumbling fortress overlooking the water which guarded Great Glen years ago. It’s a favorite vantage point when looking for “Nessie” and it’s a fine point to linker, take photos, and perhaps enjoy a picnic lunch after a long drive.

Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness

End Your Trip with a Stay in Inverness, or Upgrade to a Castle

End your day by arriving at your hotel in Inverness, Scotland, where you can park the car and explore this historic city on foot. Alternatively (and this is an especially good idea if you’re traveling with young children or planning a retreat for your entire family), treat yourself to a stay at Aldourie Castle or the cottages on the castle grounds. This fairytale castle on the shores of Loch Ness is sure to add a level of mystique and fun to your outing to the historic loch.