Countless tourists flock to Scotland not for its climate but to soak up breathtaking scenery and fascinating heritage – plus some exceptional food and drink. There’s a tiny Highland settlement that manages to deliver virtually everything visitors could desire – yet most Scots likely couldn’t even tell you what it’s called.
Drumnadrochit has earned fame as the supposed dwelling place of the Loch Ness Monster, but there’s more to it than that – it’s also home to one of the globe’s most recognisable and celebrated castles, particularly if you’re an Outlander fan. The settlement itself houses more than 1,100 residents, though numbers surge annually as monster enthusiasts arrive hoping to spot the legendary beast, reports Scottish Daily Express. Visit Scotland’s website hails Drumnadrochit as amongst the finest bases for discovering the Highlands.
It states: “The village is surrounded by the glens, Glen Urquhart and Glenmoriston, as well as the Great Glen that reaches across from Inverness in the east to Fort William in the west. The area is rich in things to see and do with activities ranging from exploring Urquhart Castle, a classic romantic ruin jutting out into the loch, horse riding, cycling, cruising the length of Loch Ness and fishing trips.
“Loch Ness, the largest and most renowned loch in the Great Glen, is a favourite amongst UK holidaymakers. Each year, it draws in throngs of visitors hoping to spot Nessie, the world-famous Loch Ness monster.”
The replica of Nessie might be as close as you get to the real deal, but guests can also uncover the eerie history of monster hunting facts and folklore at the centre.
“Nessieland invites you to watch a documentary on the monster sightings throughout history and explore the Nessie caves to unravel the legends and enigmas. The attraction also boasts an adventure playground and offers cruises on Loch Ness.”
Urquhart Castle, with its stunning scenery and distinct Highland heritage, has been witness to some of the nation’s most dramatic historical events.
It experienced intense military action from the 1200s until its downfall in 1692 when Edward I of England – “Hammer of the Scots” – seized the castle in 1296.
The fortress was subsequently reclaimed by the Scots and once again lost to the English.
Urquhart Castle has a 4.3 out of five rating on TripAdvisor with one visitor posting: “I came to Loch Ness for Urquhart Castle. The place transcends words, and inspires paintings. It’s so gothic and romantic, I loved the fact that it overlooks the deepest part of the loch and called out to Nessie from the beach next to the castle. The best views up close is definitely to be had on castle grounds.”
Another said: “The magnificent Urquhart Castle is on the shore of Loch Ness and a beautiful and short drive from Inverness. We left Inverness around 9am and had a very pleasant drive to Urquart Castle stopping once at a popular viewing point to see the Loch Ness.”
A third added: “The Urquart Castle was a great experience! We spend around an hour-and-a-half there and we were lucky enough to get great sunny weather so we weren’t too cold and got great photos!
“We really appreciated that we didn’t need to go on an organised tour and we could just go through at our own pace and read all the information. The castle isn’t very big so you can really see everything they have there pretty quickly and see the amazing views. Our experience was probably made better by lucky weather but we would go back again for a peaceful walk.”