Legendary Waters: A Journey to Loch Ness
1 day tour
New for 2025 - Monster hunters unite. It’s time to discover if Nessie – the Loch Ness monster – is fact or fiction on this day trip from Aviemore.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Loch Ness - There are more mysteries here than just Nessie. Now is your chance to hop on an optional boat cruise and discover this eerie loch for yourself
Dores - Quaint. Wee. Peaceful. This tiny Highland village is graced with a beach and stunning views across Loch Ness
Urquhart Castle - These dramatic ruins once served as a royal castle for several Scottish monarchs, including King Robert the Bruce
Dochgarroch Locks - This feat of 19th-century engineering was designed by Thomas Telford to provide safe passage for ships across Scotland
Inverness - Enjoy a riverside break in the Capital of the Highlands
The Great Glen - Marvel at this impressive rift valley fault that is millions of years old... perhaps older than Nessie herself
Your journey
Let’s be honest... we’ve all fancied ourselves a hero at one point or another. A monster hunter in a made-up fancy in our heads. The main character of our favourite show. Something dramatic and fantastic.
Well, now’s your chance.
We know ‘go to Loch Ness in Scotland and spot Nessie’ is on many peoples’ bucket lists... and we understand why. It’s not just the Loch Ness monster that intrigues us, it’s the black waters of her home and all the other mysteries that lie beneath. Did you know only a handful of people have permission to dive in Loch Ness? Ever wonder why?
Maybe you’ll find out on this adventure.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 09:45 (tour departs at 10:00) - Aviemore Pick Up, Macdonald Highland Aviemore Resort, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH221PN
16:30 - Aviemore Drop Off, Macdonald Highland Aviemore Resort, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH221PN
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old).
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
- Transportation by a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
Itinerary
This is a Scottish bucket list must, isn’t it? Heading to the eerie and famous Loch Ness to hunt for the enigmatic Loch Ness monster. We call her Nessie to make her seem less threatening, but let’s be honest... if she’s real, she’d be more powerful than us wee mortals.
But that’s the question, isn’t it? Is she real? Now it’s your turn to make up your own mind. We depart the quaint town of Aviemore and head towards a body of water famous around the world. We travel north from Aviemore over Highland rivers and rugged mountains, taking in the varied countryside as you descend into the Great Glen – a rift valley fault that is millions of years old. And now it’s time to take in the most dramatic view of Loch Ness from the tiny settlement of Dores.
From this striking introduction to Scotland we drive to Dochgarroch Locks on the Caledonian Canal where you will embark on an hour-long cruise of this most famous of lochs.
Your cruise takes you up the 19th-century canal, through Loch Dochfour and onto Loch Ness. After an hour of sailing on the dark, deep, waters hiding Nessie you arrive in a most splendid manner at the impressive Urquhart Castle.
You have an hour to explore this ruined stronghold with a most spectacular view of the loch. You then meet up with your Driver-Guide at the Visitor Centre car park.
We'll take a detour through the Highland’s capital city of Inverness for a brief stop beside the river for refreshments. Then we take the road back into the Cairngorm National Park towards Aviemore, where you arrive in the afternoon.
*Please note that we will operate a different itinerary during the winter months due to changes in timetables. During winter the tour will be: Dores for views of Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit for lunch, drive to Urquhart Castle for a 1-hour visit, then a 30-minute cruise before returning to Aviemore via Inverness. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
-
A 1-hour cruise followed by a 1-hour visit to Urquhart Castle*
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
*Please note in winter, you will instead join a 30-minute cruise after a 1-hour visit to Urquhart Castle
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.