Top 5 Fort Augustus Half-Day Tours: See Loch Ness Quickly
So, you’re visiting Fort Augustus, that pretty village right at the tip of Loch Ness. It’s almost certain that you wanna spot Nessie, the famous monster. Now, that’s understandable! Very often, people don’t have days for some really long trips, that’s alright. Luckily, very convenient half-day tours let you see the main spots quickly and conveniently. This guide covers 5 great ways to experience Loch Ness, from boat trips to historic castle visits. You will find tours for various budgets and interests, for seeing Loch Ness at its best.
1. Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle Visit
First, think of sailing right across Loch Ness. Typically, tours include a relaxing cruise with incredible views of the water and surrounding hills. Some boat trips, like your typical tour, provide sonar equipment, looking for any signs of Nessie! Afterwards, most tours stop at Urquhart Castle, so a proper landmark perched right on the loch shores. In some respects, you get time to explore its ruins and take pictures, imagining its history. The best part? You’ll get interesting facts and tales from your guides, to give your tour depth.
Why pick this tour: This offers the iconic Loch Ness experiences in a short amount of time.
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2. Jacobite Cruise from Fort Augustus
Did you know that the Jacobite line provides a lot of tour options from Fort Augustus? Anyway, they include shorter cruises that are focused more on the local stories, maybe focusing on the Clans, along with all the Nessie myths, too it’s almost certain that you get some great stories to take back with you! Usually, their boats are super comfortable. In other words, they have indoor seating, which is awesome if the weather isn’t good.
Why pick this tour: The Jacobite tours are awesome, focusing on a well known local cruise provider.
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3. Caledonian Canal Walking Tour
Instead, you could consider exploring the Caledonian Canal? Now, bear in mind that this historic waterway passes right through Fort Augustus, is that correct? In some respects, you can join a walking tour that teaches about the canal’s engineering and importance. Often, the tour guides are full of super cool stories. I mean about how it was built and its impact on the Highlands, usually going at a relaxed pace, stopping at key points like the locks and bridges.
Why pick this tour: This is perfect for those wanting a chilled-out exploration on foot.
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4. Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness Centre Shuttle
Typically, for any proper Nessie hunter, a visit to Drumnadrochit is essential! Basically, that is the home of the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. Very conveniently, shuttle tours offer a round trip, in order to learn all things Nessie. This gives you the history, folk tales, the different research missions and, typically, enough time to look around the village, for that added charm. As a matter of fact, this works out perfectly if you want to focus mostly on the monster lore.
Why pick this tour: For Nessie enthusiasts wanting to explore the heart of the Loch Ness monster mystery.
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5. Fort Augustus Village and Local History Tour
The Village itself is great to see, by the way, filled with interesting backgrounds, so you may as well check out this kind of tour. Of course, tours go round key spots, so that the old fort from which the place got named, along with the Benedictine Abbey, which has so much history. By the way, the tour is great if you want some history.
Why pick this tour: Get to know Fort Augustus intimately.
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Read our full review: Fort Augustus Village and Local History Tour Full Review and Details
