5 Hostels in Loch Ness, Scotland

About Loch Ness

The world-known Loch Ness is a deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands. This beautiful lake is the second largest in Scotland but due to its depth the biggest by volume in the British Isles. It is certainly the most well-known of the lakes in the country – as it is home to the Loch Ness monster, the mythical creature that is said to pop its head above the surface from time to time. The mysterious misty lake, surrounded by dramatic Highland scenery makes a perfect wilderness escape.

Choose a Loch Ness hostel as a base for exploring the Highlands! Perfect for hikers, backpackers and adventure seekers, hostels in the Loch Ness area offer cosy private and family rooms as well as dorms. In a Loch Ness youth hostel you can cook your own meals and relax in the common room. Access the lake straight from the hostel terrace, challenge your fellow travellers to a game of pool or table tennis and cuddle under blankets and admire the real log-fire in the lobby. Some hostels in the Loch Ness area can even organise outdoor activities such as white water rafting, canyoning and quad biking per request!

Loch Ness is surrounded by dramatic Highland scenery and cosy little villages. Drumnadrochit is one of the most popular villages on the western shore of the lake. Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition which examines the natural history and the legend of the Loch Ness monster, is located in Drumnadrochit. Urquhart Castle is near this village too. There are two lighthouses on the shores of the lake, one in the north in Lochend and another one in the south in Fort Augustus.

Go for a walk or a picnic or hop on a boat to do some monster spotting. The legend of the Loch Ness monster, ‘Nessie’, lives on and attracts curious visitors the year round. Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle and visit the cosy villages. Rent a kayak, a canoe or a narrowboat and make use of the waterways – The Caledonian Canal stretches from Fort William to Inverness and passes through Loch Ness. The Loch Ness area also offers long-distance hiking and cycling trails – not to forget golf and fishing.

To get to Loch Ness, you can either drive or get a local bus from Inverness. Inverness is well-connected to the train stations in Edinburgh and Glasgow. There is also an airport in Inverness. If you’re looking for a more adventurous option, you can cycle the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trail (80 miles long) from Fort William or sail along the sixty-mile-long Caledonian Canal from Inverness or Fort William.