Places to visit

Historic and friendly Drumnadrochit is the largest village situated in the largest bay of Loch Ness and makes an ideal touring base from which to explore the surrounding area and further afield. To make the most of your visit to the magnificent Highlands of Scotland, scroll through the following sections to see the multitude of destinations within easy reach of Drumnadrochit.

1 hour
Places well worth a visit within an hour's drive of Drumnadrochit include the vibrant City of Inverness, home to Inverness Castle, a wealth of restaurants and bars, a fantastic range of shops as well as the historic Old Town. Situated not far from Inverness is the Tomatin Distillery where you can learn about the art of whisky-making before enjoying a dram of the 'elixir of life'. Further south, the town of Aviemore is situated in the awe-inspiring Cairngorms National Park, which affords an abundance of outdoor activities and miles of heather-clad mountains and native Caledonian Pine forests.

Other places of interest include Fort William, the loch-side village marking the start of the Great Glen Way and Great Glen Bike Trail; the arty ocean-front village of Cromarty, located on the fertile Black Isle; Dornoch, another tranquil seaside village found in Caithness this time, made famous by its golf courses, sumptuous lamb and the fact that Guy Ritchie and Madonna christened their son, Rocco, there. Nairn is yet another seaside town, celebrated for its golf course and beautiful sandy beach, while the lovely village of Beauly has a charming selection of independent shops.

2 hours
Heading north and west of Inverness, you'll find another unique set of Highland destinations including Ullapool, Gairloch, Kyle, Mallaig, Loch Inver and Skye. Characterised by their remote and rugged landscapes, and breathtaking seascapes, the hospitality here is warm and as well as the spectacular scenery, you'll find some of the finest food and drink in the world in this special region. Tasty local produce includes freshly landed seafood and locally-reared lamb and beef.

3 hours
The characterful towns and villages of Thurso, Wick, Dunvegan and Stornaway lie slightly further afield but their small rural communities and pastoral way of life make them places of great intrigue to the intrepid traveller. In stark contrast are the bright city lights of maritime Aberdeen heading east, or industrious Perth heading south, offering visitors a mix of art, culture, heritage, fine dining and retail therapy.