9 Hidden gems you mustn't miss around Loch Ness

For spectacular views of the iconic loch, head to the more scenic and wild south side.

• Inverfarigaig Pier – take a short walk down to the loch side and enjoy marvellous views from the historic pier, built by Thomas Telford.
• Suidhe Viewpoint – one of the highest points on the Loch Ness 360° Trail, this is the perfect place to enjoy some unspoiled views.

• The Great Glen Canoe Trail – experience iconic Highlands scenery whilst you follow the ancient route along the Caledonian Canal, running from Fort William to Inverness and passing through Loch Ness.
• Fishing – visit the rivers of Oich and Moriston, home to large spring salmon, or the River Ness, a summer and autumn fishery which flows for some 6 miles from the famed loch to the sea.

• The Loch Ness 360° Trail – an epic 360° loop around the waters of Loch Ness. This 80-mile walking, cycling, running and outdoor activity trail connects the Great Glen Way and the South Loch Ness Trail into one circuit around the loch.
• Affric Kintail Way – a superb cross-country route for walkers and mountain bikers stretching from Drumnadrochit to Morvich.

• Farigaig Forest – this is a haven for colourful wildflowers, butterflies and red squirrels. Wind your way to the viewpoint towards a dramatic rocky outcrop and look out for hidden lochans (small lochs) and the remains of an ancient fort at Dùn Deardail.
• Abriachan Forest – with its myriad of trails, it has amazing views over the loch as well as various sculptures and points of interest along the way, including a replica Bronze Age hut and a treehouse!

Combine great walks with amazing waterfalls around the loch.

• Plodda Falls – on the north side of the loch, these are undisputedly one of Scotland’s best hidden treasures. It is the tallest waterfall in the region, plunging over a drop of 151 feet (46 metres).
• Divach Falls – a tranquil and picturesque spot for a picnic with fantastic views over the famous loch.
• The Falls of Foyers – on the south side of Loch Ness, these are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Highlands, and a visitor attraction since Victorian times.

Glen Strathfarrar near Beauly is one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens – a quiet place, virtually traffic-free that offers a peaceful wellbeing experience.

The National Nature Reserve offers superb high-level walking, with views to Skye, Torridon and beyond. There are plenty of Munros to be bagged too.

From the remote Loch Mullardoch in the north to the scenic Loch Duntelchaig in the south, there are plenty of hidden lochs to be discovered.

• Lochan Torr an Tuill or “the magic loch”, as it is known locally, is a beautiful small lochan.
• Loch Bran is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage and has one of the richest habitats in Britain for dragonflies and damselflies.
• Loch Tarff is a picturesque small loch surrounded by low hills and scatterings of pine trees, just outside Fort Augustus. Look out for black-throated divers in summer and red deer by its shores throughout the year.

• Boleskine Graveyard – a small burial ground rich in history. Opposite are the remains of Boleskine House, once the home of notorious Victorian occultist, Aleister Crowley and later owned by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. For Outlander fans, Boleskine Graveyard is the final resting place of all the Frasers of the region.
• Corrimony chambered cairn – walk amongst a circle of standing stones and discover this ancient passage grave, dating back 4,000 years.
• Clava Cairns – located near Inverness, the three Bronze Age cairns are a great example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, plus it's free to visit!

Experience some authentic Highland culture with a foot-stomping in Inverness.

• MacGregor’s Bar – host a “live at five” music session every evening and have regular guest acts and events.
• Hootananny – Mumford and Sons, Sam Fender, Jake Bugg, Dougie MacLean and Skerryvore have all played at this iconic venue which was awarded Scotland’s Best Live Music Venue in 2019.

Find out more and plan your stay in the Highlands and be sure to share your own discovered gems from around Loch Ness!