Stretching from Fort William to Inverness, Loch Ness is a wonderful relaxing setting for a weekend break. Of course the main draw of Loch Ness is its mythical (?) inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster.

The Loch Ness Monster (or ‘Nessie’) is supposedly a huge, elusive rarely, spotted dinosaur-like creature living in Loch Ness, who has so far managed to evade millions of photographers, scientists and palaeontologists. Periodically a new blurry photograph of what may be Nessie emerges, and another flock of tourists descend on this otherwise picturesque area.

It is all rather tongue-in-cheek though, and a lot of fun. Loch Ness is an obvious location to visit from Inverness, and is in close vicinity to the natural beauty of Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit. You must visit Urquhart Castle too, on the banks of Loch Ness, although remember this is an old castle in some disrepair.

There are hotel choices in Inverness, but for a closer hotel there are also some fantastic choices. The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel is a great traditional Scottish hotel dating back to 1740. Alternatively try Foyers Bay Country House, beautifully surrounded by woodland in its own private grounds.