# Drumnadrochit Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Plan your visit to Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness, home of the monster legend, Urquhart Castle and the Great Glen Way. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Home of the Loch Ness monster, on the shores of Scotland's most famous loch Photo © I G Cameron, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants) Drumnadrochit sits on the north-west shore of Loch Ness, around 19 miles south-west of Inverness along the A82, at the point where Glen Urquhart meets the loch. The village grew up around a green that was once used for cattle and sheep markets, and that green remains the heart of the community today, ringed by shops, pubs and the low stone buildings that give Drumnadrochit its unmistakably Highland character. It is a small place, but an internationally famous one, thanks entirely to its position on the shore of Scotland's most mysterious loch. Drumnadrochit calls itself the Loch Ness Monster capital of the world, and the village leans into that reputation with good humour rather than kitsch overload. Beyond the Nessie hunters, it is also a genuine walking and cycling hub, sitting at the crossroads of three long-distance trails, and a natural base for exploring Glen Affric, Glenurquhart and the wooded hills that rise steeply behind the village. ## Getting to Drumnadrochit Drumnadrochit lies directly on the A82, the main road that runs the length of Loch Ness between Inverness and Fort William, making it an easy 25-30 minute drive from Inverness. Regular Stagecoach buses connect Drumnadrochit with Inverness and continue on towards Fort William, so a car is not essential. The nearest railway station is Inverness, which has direct services from Edinburgh, Glasgow and further afield, and Inverness Airport, around 25 miles away, has flights from across the UK. From Inverness, the drive or bus journey along the loch shore is one of the most scenic approaches to any village in Scotland. ## Best time to visit Drumnadrochit Late spring through early autumn, roughly May to September, brings the best combination of long daylight hours, milder weather and full opening hours at the Loch Ness Centre and Urquhart Castle. July and August are busiest, with the village and castle car parks at their fullest, so June and September offer a good balance of good weather and lighter crowds. Midges are at their worst in the still, damp air of high summer, particularly at dawn and dusk, so pack repellent whatever month you visit. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, with shorter opening hours at some attractions but a good chance of having the loch shore largely to yourself. ## Where to stay in Drumnadrochit(17) [All hotels in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels) About staying in Drumnadrochit Drumnadrochit's hotels and guest houses make the most of its position on Loch Ness, with many rooms and gardens looking out over the water or up into Glen Urquhart. The village itself has a couple of traditional Highland hotels right on the green, offering easy walking access to the shops, pubs and the Loch Ness Centre, while smaller guest houses and B&Bs are scattered along the roads leading out towards Urquhart Castle and into the glen. For those who prefer more space, self-catering cottages and lodges in the surrounding countryside put you within a short drive of the village while offering a quieter, more rural base among farmland and forestry. Given Drumnadrochit's popularity as a stop on Highland touring routes and its status as a Great Glen Way waypoint, rooms can book up quickly in July and August, so it is worth planning ahead for a summer visit. Outside peak season, availability is much easier to find and rates drop noticeably, making spring and autumn a good time for a comfortable, better-value stay within walking distance of the loch shore. [Balmridge House Loch Ness Bed & Breakfast Balmacaan Road, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/balmridge-house-loch-ness-bed-breakfast) [Bridgend House B&B Bridgend House, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/bridgend-house-b-b) [Craigmonie Bed & Breakfast Craigmonie Cottage, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/craigmonie-bed-breakfast) [Drovers Lodge Upper Lennie, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/drovers-lodge) [Drumbuie Farm B&B Drumbuie Farm, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/drumbuie-farm-b-b) [High March High March, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/high-march) [Highland Bear Lodge Camallt, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/highland-bear-lodge) [Kilmichael House Kilmichael House, Drumnadrochit](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels/kilmichael-house) ## Things to Do in Drumnadrochit(1) [All attractions in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions) Top things to do in Drumnadrochit Drumnadrochit rewards a slow visit. Between the loch, the castle and the surrounding glens, there is enough here for a long weekend without ever needing to drive far. - **The Loch Ness Centre** — Housed in the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, this exhibition traces the story of Loch Ness and the monster legend through original research, archive footage and interactive displays, finishing at the lochside Cobb Café. - **Urquhart Castle** — A couple of miles south of the village on the A82, the ruins of this medieval stronghold occupy a headland over one of the deepest parts of Loch Ness and are among the most visited historic sites in the Highlands, with a modern visitor centre and sweeping loch views. - **Loch Ness boat trips** — Cruises depart nearby for a look at the water where the monster legend was born, with skippers pointing out the sonar equipment used in decades of scientific searches. - **The Great Glen Way** — The 73-mile long-distance path between Fort William and Inverness runs directly through Drumnadrochit, with the stretch alongside Loch Ness offering some of the finest views on the whole route. - **Glen Affric and Glen Urquhart walks** — Forest trails, waterfalls and hill paths lead out from the village into some of the most scenic glens in the Highlands, suitable for anything from a short afternoon stroll to a full day's hike. - **Nessieland and the village green** — A family-friendly stop with monster-hunting exhibits and gifts, right beside the green that has been the social centre of Drumnadrochit for generations. - **Cycling the Loch Ness 360 trail** — Drumnadrochit lies on this waymarked cycling and walking route that circles the entire loch, making it easy to explore further afield on two wheels. [Urquhart Castle ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/urquhart-castle) [The Loch Ness Centre ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/the-loch-ness-centre) [Abriachan Trails ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/abriachan-trails) [Loch Ness Pumpkins at Corrimony Farm ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/loch-ness-pumpkins-at-corrimony-farm) [Invermoriston Falls ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/invermoriston-falls) [FARM NESS ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/farm-ness) [The Potter's House Pottery ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/the-potter-s-house-pottery) [Whin Park ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions/whin-park) ## Where to Eat in Drumnadrochit(1) [All restaurants in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants) Food and drink in Drumnadrochit The village punches above its weight for food and drink given its size. The Fiddler's Coffee House and Restaurant on the green is a long-standing local favourite for meals and drinks, while the Benleva Hotel is known among walkers and locals alike for its real ales and straightforward pub food. The Glen Café by the Loch Ness Centre and Loch Ness Inn on the edge of the village both serve hearty, produce-led menus, and a small supermarket and bakery cover self-catering essentials for anyone staying nearby. [Glenurquhart Public Hall ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/glenurquhart-public-hall) [The Italian Job ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/the-italian-job) [The Loch Ness Bistro ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/the-loch-ness-bistro) [Abriachan Eco Cafe and Campsite ⭐ 3.8](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/abriachan-eco-cafe-and-campsite) [The Camping and Caravanning Club ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/the-camping-and-caravanning-club) [Morag's Crafts Bothy ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/morag-s-crafts-bothy) [Camerons Tearoom & Farm Shop ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/camerons-tearoom-farm-shop) [Dores Inn ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants/dores-inn) ## Attractions Near Drumnadrochit [All attractions in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Drumnadrochit. [1 mi Urquhart Castle Loch Ness · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/loch-ness/attractions/urquhart-castle) [4 mi Abriachan Trails Abriachan · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/abriachan/attractions/abriachan-trails) [7 mi Loch Ness Pumpkins at Corrimony Farm Inverness · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/attractions/loch-ness-pumpkins-at-corrimony-farm) [10 mi Invermoriston Falls Invermoriston · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/invermoriston/attractions/invermoriston-falls) [11 mi FARM NESS Inverness · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/attractions/farm-ness) [12 mi The Potter's House Pottery Dingwall · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/dingwall/attractions/the-potter-s-house-pottery) [12 mi Whin Park Inverness · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/attractions/whin-park) [12 mi Ness Islands Railway Inverness · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/attractions/ness-islands-railway) ## Camping in Drumnadrochit(2) [All campsites in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/camping) About camping in Drumnadrochit Wild camping is generally permitted across most of Scotland under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and the hills, forests and lochside ground around Drumnadrochit offer some genuinely spectacular pitches, provided you camp responsibly, keep well away from roads and buildings, and leave no trace. The terrain along the Great Glen Way and up into Glen Affric ranges from gentle waterside paths to proper Highland hillside, so a good pitch is usually within reach of a short walk from the village, with the loch itself providing a dramatic backdrop to any wild camp. For those who prefer a formal site, established campsites and caravan parks in and around Drumnadrochit and along the loch shore offer showers, hook-ups and easier access for tents, campervans and motorhomes alike. The best camping season runs from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is milder and daylight lasts well into the evening, though this same period brings the Highland midge in force, especially in the still air near water and woodland at dawn and dusk. A good midge net and repellent are essential kit for any summer camping trip here, and a breezy, more open pitch will usually offer some relief. Early and late season camping trades a little warmth for far fewer midges and quieter surroundings. For anyone who wants the Loch Ness setting without the demands of a tent, glamping pods and safari tents have sprung up around Glen Urquhart and the wider loch shore, offering proper beds, wood-burning stoves and, in many cases, the same loch or glen views that make wild camping here so popular. Whichever way you choose to stay, camping around Drumnadrochit puts you right at the meeting point of loch, glen and the Great Glen Way, one of Scotland's finest long-distance trails. [Borlum Farm Caravan & Camping Site ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/highlands/camping/borlum-farm-caravan-camping-site) [Loch Ness Bay Camping ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/camping/loch-ness-bay-camping) [Loch Ness Wigwams ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/camping/loch-ness-wigwams) [Coiltie Glampod ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/camping/coiltie-glampod-drumnadrochit) [Loch Ness Glamping ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/camping/loch-ness-glamping) [Camping Pod Heaven ⭐ 4.4 · from £77/night](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/camping/camping-pod-heaven) [Kilmartin Guest House & Caravans ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/highlands/camping/kilmartin-guest-house-caravans) [Loch Ness Shores Camping and Caravanning Club Site ⭐ 4.5 · from £24/night](https://staycation.co.uk/inverness/camping/loch-ness-shores-camping-and-caravanning-club-site) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Drumnadrochit [All cottages in Drumnadrochit →](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/cottages) [🏡Cottage East Lewiston 3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £493](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/east-lewiston-uk31421) [Thistle Dubh 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £413](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/thistle-dubh-25865) [🏡Cottage Burns Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £443](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/burns-cottage-uzm) [🏡Cottage Riverside Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £447](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/riverside-cottage-uk5624) [🏡Cottage Iola 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £599](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/iola-syk1088288) [🏡Cottage Brooklands 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £611](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/brooklands-uk51235) [Ben Luna Lodge 5 bed · sleeps 12](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/ben-luna-lodge-uk7680) [🏡Cottage River Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2](https://staycation.co.uk/highland/cottages/river-cottage-uk12759) ## Common questions about Drumnadrochit How many campsites are there in Drumnadrochit? We list 2 campsites in and around Drumnadrochit, of which 1 take tents and 1 offer glamping. Are there dog-friendly campsites in Drumnadrochit? Yes — 1 of the 2 campsites we list in Drumnadrochit accept dogs, including Coiltie Glampod. Where can I stay in Drumnadrochit? We list 17 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Drumnadrochit. What is there to do in Drumnadrochit? We list 1 attractions and things to do in and around Drumnadrochit. Where can I eat in Drumnadrochit? We list 1 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Drumnadrochit. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Drumnadrochit Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DDrumnadrochit%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Drumnadrochit - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/drumnadrochit/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in Highlands](https://staycation.co.uk/highlands) - [🧭 All of the Scotland](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/scotland) ## Staycation ideas for Drumnadrochit [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [Inverness Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat Plan an Inverness staycation: riverside and country house hotels, Culloden, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, dolphins at Chanonry Point, where to eat, a two-day plan, Highland camping and day trips.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/inverness-staycation-guide) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations)