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Waves breaking on the shingle of Dores Beach, Loch Ness running away between wooded hills.
Inverness-shire

Dores Beach

A shingle beach at the north end of Loch Ness, eight miles from Inverness, with long views down the loch and a famous resident Nessie hunter.

Welcome

At the village of Dores, eight miles from Inverness, the road comes down to the very end of Loch Ness, and a broad shore of shingle and pebbles runs along the water's edge.

From here the loch stretches away to the south-west as far as the eye can see, held between steep, wooded hills.

It is one of the easiest places to reach the loch, and one of the loveliest: a spot for skimming stones and watching the weather move down the water.

It also has a famous resident. Parked above the beach is the van of Steve Feltham, the Nessie hunter, who gave up his old life to watch the loch full time and holds the record for the longest vigil in search of the monster. In summer the beach gets busy. There is no lifeguard, so take care in the water.

A short drive awayLoch NessThe loch itself, twenty-three miles long.7 min by roadSee itLoch Ness with autumn-coloured hills rising along its far shore
Before you go

The beach is open at all times and free, by the village of Dores on the B862.

There is no lifeguard, so take care in the water.

Where
Dores, on the B862 south-west of Inverness, IV2 6TR.
Beach
Shingle and pebble.
Look for
The Nessie hunter's van.
Where it is

At the village of Dores on the B862, at the north-east end of Loch Ness, about eight miles from Inverness.

Close byLoch Ness.
  1. Aerial view of the River Ness splitting around wooded islands towards Inverness and the Moray FirthNess Islands7 miles11 min by road
  2. Passengers on the upper deck of a Loch Ness by Jacobite tour boatJacobite Loch Ness Cruises7 miles11 min by road
  3. Trees reflected in a calm river with clear shallow waterWhin ParkA family park by the River Ness in Inverness, with a boating pond, a big adventure playpark, a miniature railway and a café.8 miles13 min by road
  4. Wooded gorge with rocky cliffs, forested hills and a mountain beyondFalls of FoyersA waterfall in a gorge down the south shore.11 miles15 min by road
  5. Ruined stone tower of Urquhart Castle seen through autumn foliage on Loch NessUrquhart CastleThe castle ruin across the water.23 miles34 min by road
Directions
A white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Inverness-shireGarden CottageSleeps 6 · 1.8 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Inverness-shireIvy CottageSleeps 4 · 1.8 miles
A stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.Inverness-shireSouth BothySleeps 2 · 1.8 miles
A pink harled house with turreted gables and stepped chimneys stands among pine trees behind a dry stone wall.Inverness-shireGatehouse CottageSleeps 4 · 1.8 miles
A white harled house with multiple gables sits behind clipped box hedging and shrubs, framed by overhanging trees.Inverness-shireFactors CottageSleeps 6 · 1.8 miles
Smoke rises from the chimney of a pink-harled house with a slate roof, seen over a drystone wall amid trees and misty hills.Inverness-shireTigh na Coille CottageSleeps 8 · 1.8 miles
Nessie model overlooking Loch Ness beside the roadside viewpointAttractionsLoch Ness Statue2.5 miles over the water
Loch Ness with autumn-coloured hills rising along its far shoreAttractionsLoch Ness5.3 miles
Eden Court Theatre & Cinema entrance with posters for The Stamping GroundAttractionsEden Court Theatre and Cinema7.9 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

A white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Inverness-shire
  • 2 miles from Dores
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Ivy Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Inverness-shire
  • 2 miles from Dores
Check datesA stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.South Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Inverness-shire
  • 2 miles from Dores
Check datesA pink harled house with turreted gables and stepped chimneys stands among pine trees behind a dry stone wall.Gatehouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Inverness-shire
  • 2 miles from Dores
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Inverness-shireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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