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The ruins of Urquhart Castle on their wooded headland, seen across Loch Ness from the wake of a boat.
Inverness

Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises

Loch Ness cruises from Inverness, on the loch and the Caledonian Canal, from a fifty-minute sail to a half day with a stop at Urquhart Castle.

Welcome

Jacobite has been taking people out on Loch Ness for forty years, and its boats are the easiest way onto the water from Inverness.

There are cruises to suit most days, from a fifty-minute sail to a half day out.

The short trips leave from Clansman Harbour on the loch shore, or from Dochgarroch Lock, where the boat first slips down the Caledonian Canal before the loch opens out ahead. The longer cruises call at Urquhart Castle, and from the water you see its ruined tower and walls standing on their headland against the hills. You get time ashore to walk round the castle before sailing back. The longest tour begins with a coach from Inverness Bus Station.

The boats have seats inside and out on deck. At Dochgarroch there is a café and a gift shop for before or after. Book ahead in summer.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A short drive awayRocpool4 min by roadSee itRocpool
Before you go

Cruises sail from Dochgarroch Lock and Clansman Harbour, with a coach from Inverness Bus Station on the longer tours.

Book online; the office at the bus station opens daily, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

From
Dochgarroch, Clansman Harbour or Inverness.
Shortest
50 minutes, from £21.
Longest
3.5 hours, from £54.

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Where it is

Departures from Dochgarroch Lock, IV3 8JG, and Clansman Harbour, IV3 8LA, on the A82 south-west of Inverness, and from Inverness Bus Station.

Close byInverness.
  1. 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.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. Eden Court Theatre and CinemaEden Court Theatre and CinemaUnder a mile 3 min by road
  3. Inverness Botanic GardensInverness Botanic GardensUnder a mile 4 min by road
  4. Inverness CathedralInverness CathedralSt Andrew's Cathedral on the River Ness in Inverness: a pink freestone Gothic cathedral of 1866 to 1869, open every day of the year.1 mile 4 min by road
  5. Loch Ness with autumn-coloured hills rising along its far shoreLoch NessThe loch itself.13 miles 18 min by road
  6. Ruined stone tower of Urquhart Castle seen through autumn foliage on Loch NessUrquhart CastleThe castle the longer cruises stop at.16 miles 24 min by road
Directions
Red sandstone cathedral with Gothic arched windows and a carved entrance porchAttractionsSt Andrew's Cathedral1.0 miles
Corner entrance of Rocpool restaurant with black canopy and menus displayed outsideRestaurantsRocpool1.0 miles
Xoko Bakehouse and Coffee Bar shopfront with a chalkboard brunch menu displayed outsideCafeXOKO Bakehouse1.1 miles
A tray of sponge cakes dusted with icing sugar and filled with jam and cream.CafeHarry Gow1.2 miles
Curved building with large "Imaginarium" banner above a wooden fenceAttractionsInverness Museum and Art Gallery1.2 miles
Castlegallery shopfront with hanging flower baskets above the window displayShoppingCastle Gallery1.2 miles
Crispy-skinned salmon fillet on risotto, garnished with pea shoots and herb oilRestaurantsThe Mustard Seed1.2 miles
River Ness Walk, InvernessAttractionsRiver Ness Walk1.2 miles
Kitchen Brasserie restaurant with orange awning and windbreak barriers on street cornerRestaurantsThe Kitchen1.3 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cruise, 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 Dores
  • 5 miles from a Jacobite cruise
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 Dores
  • 5 miles from a Jacobite cruise
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
  • 5 miles from a Jacobite cruise
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 Dores
  • 5 miles from a Jacobite cruise
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in InvernessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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