Loch Ness by Boat | A Guide to Traveling the Caledonian Canal by Houseboat
Loch Ness. There is an allure that the mysterious 755-foot-deep loch holds. As one of, if not THE, best-known lakes in the world, she conjures images of ancient monsters and castle ruins. As a part of our summer trip to Scotland, we chose to brave the water and search for Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, aboard a houseboat for 4 days on the Caledonian Canal. This 79-mile stretch from Fort William to Inverness is also commonly known as The Great Glen Way and provides ample opportunity for adventures and sightseeing.
For our Loch Ness by Boat adventure, we chose to book with the team at Le Boat. We found the boat to be well-equipped and the team at Le Boat very helpful. It is important to note that a loose plan was needed to accommodate some of our dinner reservations. The Le Boat website was a great planning tool and provided approximate distances between mooring locations. Our boat was from their comfort line and is called the Magnifique.
The mooring locations below represent where we chose to stay on our journey, there are other options for parking overnight along the canal.
Before you continue you may want to read our blog on why we love houseboats and some basic info on traveling via self-drive boats!
Boating on The Caledonian Canal & The Great Glen Way
Cruising locations along the Caledonian Canal stretch from Fort William to Inverness, Scotland. You may also hear this area referred to as The Great Glen Way. While portions of the canal system are man-made, you will also traverse Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy.
It’s important to differentiate between a loch (lake) and a lock (used for raising and lowering boats), as you will be navigating locks between lochs. Do you follow me? You will also encounter swing bridges, although, depending on the height of your boat and the current water level, you may be allowed to pop right under. We did this once….and it required “hitting the deck.”
What to See and Where to Moor on the Caledonian Canal, Scotland
Fort William
Located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, there is no shortage of picturesque views at Fort William. The famous Jacobite Steam train is a must-see and there are distillery tours nearby! This is also where we did our grocery shopping before starting our boat trip, as there are several large supermarkets.
Overnight Mooring Features:
Where to Eat in Fort William:
We did not eat in Fort William on this trip. I recommend looking at local recommendations online.
What to See In Fort William:
Get your trunk, grab your wand, and put on your robes because you are about to board the train used for filming the Hogwarts Express scenes for the Harry Potter movies. You’ll pass over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and stop for lunch in Mallaig. It’s pure magic.
Old Inverlochy Castle Ruin
This is one of my favorite castle ruins because it’s one of the oldest we’ve seen and in great condition. Built in 1200 it is one of the most complete surviving castles from this time.
Laggan Locks
Laggan Locks is the home base for the wonderful Le Boat team. It was here that we learned to safely navigate our boat and take care of all our onboard needs.
Overnight Mooring Features:
Where to eat at Laggan Locks:
AThe Eagle Barge Inn
This barge-turned restaurant has some character. Built in Holland in 1926 the Eagle was used for troop transport during WW1. Booking in advance is necessary as seating is limited.
Loch Oich | Glengarry & Invergarry Castles
When we awoke at Lock Oich, warm coffee in hand, the water was so still that we could not differentiate the sky from water. To our left a shipwreck, perfectly reflected so it resembles a winged creature, gently floating, makes us wonder who came before. Castle ruins to our right remind us that this peaceful area has not always been so. The hum of the boat brings you back to reality, but the moment will never leave you.
Overnight Mooring Features:
While there are no amenities at this location it is a MUST stop location. The Glengarry & Invergarry should be on your non-negotiable itinerary.
Where to Eat at Loch Oich:
the stunning grounds, amazing food, and hospitality made this THE favorite meal of our time aboard our houseboat. Two of three-course meals are available, all seasonally sourced. Even the kids menu was raved about by our often picky eater.
What to see on Loch Oich:
Invergarry Castle Ruin
This beautiful castle ruin is a very short walk up the hill from where you moor your boat at Loch Oich. Because of its unsafe condition, there is a fence surrounding it, but the short walk makes it well worth your while. Built in 1602 as a seat of Clan MacDonnel, this once proud castle has a rich history. During the Jacobite Rising Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in the castle twice, once after the battle of Culloden in 1746. This made Invergarry an obvious target of the Duke of Cumberland after the Jacobites were defeated. Sadly, the Duke burnt the castle, leaving it in the ruined state we now see.
The Sunken Ship
In the shallows just next to the pontoon where you tie your boat off is an eerie sunken ship, in fact, you can see several along the canal route. Most are the remains of fishing boats that ran aground in the shallow water. The best view is as you approach and it is difficult to get a closer view because of the thick trees at the water’s edge and the shallows, which are now very clearly marked by red buoys.
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus is the southern gateway to the famous Loch Ness. It is well known for its multi-lock system, which draws many tourists to view it.
Overnight Mooring Features:
Where to eat in Fort Augustus:
The Bothy
Featuring traditional pub fare, the Bothy is one we have gone back to on multiple visits to Fort Augustus.
Takeout
There are numerous places for takeout along the canal featuring Fish & Chips and Pizza. We enjoyed a pizza on our boat one evening.
What to see in fort augustus:
The Lock's at Fort Augustus
The locks really are a main attraction, and you get to LIVE the experience of traversing the locks as tourists look on in envy.
Local Shopping
There is a variety of small local shops along the canal that were great fun to visit!
Drumnadrochit
The highland village of Drumnadrochit is a must-stop area if you are boating on Loch Ness. You’ll moor in Urquhart Bay Harbor with a stunning view of Urquhart Castle and share the pontoons with official Loch Ness Project research vessels. The restaurants and shops are a distance from where boats dock along a busy highway, so we opted to take a taxi to dinner and the Loch Ness Centre.
Overnight Mooring Features:
Where to eat in drumnadrochit:
The Loch Ness Inn:
YUM. All agreed this was a fantastic meal. A variety of local seafood, soup, and traditional pub fare, but with an elevated approach.
What to see in Drumnadrochit:
As you approach Urquhart Castle from your boat it is easy to grasp why this often-sieged castle was a sought-after medieval fortress. The ruins date from the 13th century and were left in the current ruined state in 1692 when they were decimated to attempt to keep Jacobite forces from using the castle. Advanced reservations are required.
This educational look at the history and lore behind the famed Loch Ness Monster is well worth your time. It was remodeled in 2023 and given a fun set of upgrades from when we were there in 2012. You’ll learn about the conditions within the loch and be taken on a journey through many “sightings”. In the end, it is up to you to decide if Nessie lives within the depths of the dark waters, or simply in our imagination.
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