Fort Augustus – a RIB Up Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle
A few hours.
The route
From the canal side in Fort Augustus, Cruise Loch Ness launches its RIB speedboats onto the loch at up to 30 knots and races all the way up to Urquhart Castle and back.
On the way the guides stop to tell stories of caves, outlaws and the monster. Afterwards there are the five canal locks to wander up, and lunch beside them. Children from five can go.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is The Lovat Hotel in Fort Augustus.
Book the Loch Ness Quest 90 with Cruise Loch Ness online before you go, at 11.30am or 1.30pm to the end of October (ring 01320 366277 for the last sailing): £40 adults, £25 children aged 5 to 15, £120 a family of four at the time of writing, at least 110 cm tall, no refund within 24 hours.
The day
Fort Augustus
Ninety minutes skimming up Loch Ness to the castle and back at speed, then a slow wander up the lock flight and lunch by the canal.
About three hoursAbout 0.5 miles on foot
Cruise Loch Ness
An attraction
Park in the Riggs, the main car park in the middle of Fort Augustus next to the petrol station (PH32 4DD). It charges from March to October, with the first 30 minutes free. The boats leave from the canal side, about five minutes' walk away. The Loch Ness Quest 90 sails at 11.30am and 1.30pm, running up the loch at up to 30 knots to Urquhart Castle and back, with stops along the way for the guides to point out Cory's Cave and tell the loch's stories. It takes 90 minutes and costs £40 for adults, £25 for children aged 5 to 15 and £120 for a family of four, at the time of writing; book online, where the live sailing times are. Riders must be at least 110 cm tall, and it isn't suitable in pregnancy or for anyone with mobility problems. Bring your own waterproof, as the wind is cold at speed. There's no refund within 24 hours of sailing. The timetable runs to 31 October, but the speedboats stop for the colder months, so ring 01320 366277 to check the last sailing.
Fort Augustus
An attraction
Walk back from the canal side to the foot of the lock flight, where five locks lift the Caledonian Canal up through the middle of the village from Loch Ness. Stroll up the level towpath beside them and watch for boats rising through the gates; they're likeliest from April to October, as the canal runs only on weekdays in winter. The lock sides drop into deep water, so hold small hands. Lunch is at the Caledonian Canal Centre beside the locks, with a café, shop and toilets, open every day of the year, from 8.30am to 3.30pm in winter.
If it rains
The boat runs in rain and the wind is cold at speed: bring your own waterproof. The Canal Centre's café is indoors.
Where to stay