Loch Ness 50-minute Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views
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Inverness, Scotland
+3
- 50 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Set sail across the misty waters of Loch Ness—and discover the eerie legend of the Loch Ness Monster as you admire a new perspective on the scenery—on this immersive sightseeing cruise. Float past the majestic ruins of Urquhart Castle as you explore one of Britain’s largest freshwater lakes, and have plenty of opportunities to capture photos of the sights (and potentially any lurking monsters).
- Relax on the comfortable boat, which has indoor and outdoor areas
- Search for Nessie, the elusive Loch Ness Monster, with on-board sonar
- Enjoy up-close views of Urquhart Castle and other sights
- Purchase refreshments from the boat’s onboard bar (own expense)
What's Included
- 50 minute sightseeing cruise
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks (snacks available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises - Clansman HarbourClansman, Harbour, Inverness IV3 8AU, UK
Clansman Harbour is 9 miles from Inverness on the A82. Pass two Jacobite points before reaching it. Park at the Clansman Hotel (right-hand side) and follow signs to the harbour. Arrive 30 mins before. Invergordon Cruise Ship Terminal is 34 miles away—own transport needed.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
After making your own way to Clansman Harbour, admire the undulating hills and rambling greenery that surrounds Loch Ness.
Board your boat and take a seat inside or on the open-air deck. As your depart from the harbor, take in stunning views of Loch Ness, a lake considered one of Scotland’s most mysterious.
Along the way, capture photos, and search the surface for sightings of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. During your cruise, opt to revitalize with a drink or snack from the on-board bar at your own expense.
On the way back to Clansman Harbour, gaze at the 500-year-old ruins of Urquhart Castle, famed for its invasion by Edward I. After your sailing trip, disembark at your original departure point.
Board your boat and take a seat inside or on the open-air deck. As your depart from the harbor, take in stunning views of Loch Ness, a lake considered one of Scotland’s most mysterious.
Along the way, capture photos, and search the surface for sightings of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. During your cruise, opt to revitalize with a drink or snack from the on-board bar at your own expense.
On the way back to Clansman Harbour, gaze at the 500-year-old ruins of Urquhart Castle, famed for its invasion by Edward I. After your sailing trip, disembark at your original departure point.
Urquhart Castle (Pass By)
1
Loch Ness
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Loch Ness by Jacobite (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- Approximately a 20 minute (10.4 miles) drive from Inverness
- Advised arrival time during summer is 30min prior to departure
- Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
This was a breathtaking experience one we will never forget. History given over tanoy which was great. Staff were lovely! The views were some of the most beautiful we have seen. Would highly recommend 👌 👍
Reviews
4.4
based on 1,308 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Fantastic!!!!!! Views! Commentating fab!! Magical !! So good we invited more family to come again tomorrow
We had a great time on the boat-beautiful views! Very reasonably priced. Nice staff. Great for families :)
The 50 minute tour just goes to the castle - docks and lets people on and off and then returns. Felt like we spent more time docked then cruising. Would have liked to have seen a little more or have it communicated vs just out and back.
Very easy to find and get to the boat for us. Not sure if there is another way for wheelchairs but I think it may be tricky for some disabilities.
Very good information during the boat trip.
The 1-hour Loch Ness cruise was enjoyable and the staff were great. However, because the itinerary included a drop-off and pick-up stop at Urquhart Castle, the time on the water felt a bit short. It felt like the docking process ate into it, as I left feeling like we could have seen a bit more of the loch in that hour. Still a nice trip overall!
Make sure you dress up very warm. It's
fantastic but sooo cold 🥶 lol.
Very interesting with all the information given about the local area.
Very simple and ideal way to see a part of the Lough and the famous castle. The boat has sonar so if your lucky you may catch at glimpse of the Lough Ness Monster! It also offers a great opportunity to learn about the Lough, geology, history, lore etc..
Lovely ride out along the Loch as far as Urquhart Castle. I only booked the ticket for the ride, so we stayed for just a few minutes to let those with castle tickets get off, and then headed back to the harbour. It was simple and peaceful, with an informative pre-recorded commentary playing overhead. That was a bit difficult to hear at times, but in an environment with so many other people and not everyone interested, it's natural for side conversations to drown it out. The crew did an amazing and professional job, and kudos to them, also!
The crew and staff were beyond amazing. We had scheduling issues but they were more than accommodating, hugely impressed and grateful for their patience and kindness.
The cruise was very good...Very scenic....But as it was very breezy up, we sat inside and we couldn't hear the explanation properly. Heard people saying that up on the deck they could hear the explanation properly...
Very smooth boat tour
Good narrative from crew
Comfy seats
Inside seats so little wind to deal with. Mom
Gorgeous views and great service. This is one cruise that is well worth the price. Easy to find and just the right length.
Dress for a cool experience as it can get quite chilly on the open deck which is the best place to enjoy the cruise. Very informative commentary throughout. Friendly and helpful staff who were happy to share their knowledge of the area with us and answered all our questions.
A nice, quick jaunt up to Urquhart Castle and back full of info about the lake, the history, and the surrounding area.
Very scenic tour. Hospitality was very much appreciated Information was clear and interesting lovely time
We expected a history lesson on Loch Ness. This was basically a crowded quick boat trip. A recording played.. but you could not hear it with noise from the boat, wind and other passengers. This needed a person on a microphone talking to the crowd.
It was a lovely boat ride, the commentary and music was perfect. Bit if a break in the middle at Urquart castle
Was issues with a voucher to exchange for tickets but we went to the cruise via open top bus but the vouchers not exchanged here but 5 miles up the road. Probably our mistake but confusing. Luckily the staff at the jacobite cruise changed them for a cruise they were doing so did not actually do this cruise. The only way to have got the voucher exchanged was to get a taxi to come out to us from Inverness which would have been expensive. If you your own car then might not have been a problem.
Very nice experience, beautiful views.
Nice staff. Opportunity to buy drinks. Bring top layer if you want to stay all the time outside.
What a wonderful setting and an impressive experience. You can see Urquhart Castle and even dock there for a visit. It was unique and impressive.
It’s a good experience one should visit and see. Cruise time could have been more with the amount being taken.
Amazing experience.
Highly recommend. It’s a one time experience to see castle views and cruise alongside the loch.
It was difficult to hear the narrator due to many people talking in the cabin. I suggest audio guides during the excursion.
Outside seating is lovely to get the full experience. Take a coat.
Commentary is interesting. Thank you
Easy to find and plenty of seating inside and out. Friendly staff. Easy trip!
Meeting location had a great cafe and friendly staff!
This was made out to be a very interactive trip and we were very excited as our little ones are crazy for Nessie. However, it was a complete let down. Not really interactive at all, a simple voice over with some facts about Loch Ness. The only bit the kids were interested in or understood was that Scooby Doo had met Nessie.
The boat was lovely but that was about it.
Not worth the money we paid.
The boat takes passengers to view Castle Urquart and returns to the dock. While traveling to and from the Castle, a pre-recorded message is played over the boat’s sound system, explaining the history of the area. Unfortunately, the sound clarity is poor and most of the passengers are talking amongst themselves during the broadcast, making it difficult to hear anything. The trip is not worth taking, especially at a cost of $30+ pp. Note that you can visit the castle directly, no need for the boat ride!
It kills an hour and that's about it - wetter wasn't great when we went so most people were inside - really loud couldn't really follow the commentary no o e seemed to have any interest in listening to it - scenery is ok but no more than you see from the bank . Worth doing on a sunny day if you want a boat cruise otherwise not really worth the time unless you want to kill an jour
The boat ride is underwhelming when the weather is not good, (poor viewing from inside if it’s windy and raining, and you won’t want to go up top). Worth it if you purchase the extra ticket to be let off at the castle, but you can skip all together and tour the castle by driving there — and you’ll get the same views. Wouldn’t recommend or book again even on a sunny day.
The cruise was nice, wish we would have had time for a longer cruise. We really learned a lot about the history and geography of the Loch. Bring a jacket, it can get a little chilly.
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