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Trains to Loch Ness
Visit the Home of the Loch Ness Monster
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Loch Ness is a large freshwater lake located in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness. It is the second-largest loch in Scotland by surface area but the largest loch by volume, containing more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. It is roughly 23 miles long, 1 mile wide and over 750 feet deep. It is part of the Caledonian Canal system which connects the east and west coasts of Scotland and is surrounded by historical castles, nature reserves and lots of wildlife.
Loch Ness is also best known for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, who is said to inhabit the waters. The first modern sighting of Nessie was in 1933 and has since attracted the attention of tourists, adventure hunters and the media, making it a popular tourist destination.
Where is Loch Ness?
Loch Ness is located in the Scottish Highlands to the southwest of Inverness which is the nearest major city. Loch Ness stretches for 23 miles, starting to the southwest of Lochend village all the way to Fort Augustus. It is part of the Great Glen, a valley running from Fort William to Inverness carved from glaciers over 10,000 years ago forming a series of deep lakes, of which Loch Ness is the largest.
What is the nearest train station to Loch Ness?
The nearest train station to Loch Ness is Inverness Station which is about 17 miles away. Inverness is a well-connected station with trains from London, Edinburgh, Perth and Aviemore.
How to Get to Loch Ness from Inverness
From Inverness, you can reach Loch Ness by car or bus. Driving will take you 30 minutes and 14 miles to the middle of the loch. If you are looking to visit the most northern or southern parts of the loch it will take you shorter or longer respectively.
You can also reach Loch Ness from Inverness on the number 16 bus which runs on the east side of the loch and leaves from Academy Street. There are several stops you can get off at with the most popular being Dores Avenue and Erchite Road End, which take between 30-35 minutes. If you want to go to the west side of the loch or Fort Augustus you can get the 919 bus from Inverness Bus Station which takes just over an hour to get to Fort Augustus.
How to Get from Edinburgh to Loch Ness by Train
From Edinburgh, you can get one direct train to Inverness on ScotRail which takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes. You can book this train journey with LNER on our website or app. Once you reach Inverness, Loch Ness is a short bus ride away either on bus 16 or bus 919 depending on where in Loch Ness you are looking to go.
You can easily get to Edinburgh by train with LNER, including from London, Doncaster and Newcastle.
Things to do in Loch Ness
There is so much to see and do in Loch Ness. If you enjoy learning about history and exploring historical sites why not visit Urquhart Castle to see the ruins of this once castle, or Culloden Battlefield where the famous 1746 Battle of Culloden took place.
For more outdoor activities you can take a boat tour of the loch to see if you can spot Nessie, explore one of the many walking trails around Loch Ness through the woodlands to see if you can spot any wildlife that lives there.
Fort Augustus is a quaint village at the southern end of the loch and is a perfect place for a picnic and to watch boats navigate the locks of the Caledonian Canal.
Top tips for visiting Loch Ness
Visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition to learn the history and myths of the Loch Ness Monster.
Arrive early at popular tourist attractions to avoid crowds and long queues.
Bring binoculars to help you spot the hidden wildlife especially if you are hiking or on a boat tour.
Consider staying nearby to experience the loch at different times of the day and to avoid rushing and trying to pack everything in.
