Loch Ness (Scotland)

Loch Ness is a deep, large, freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. it extends for approx 37 km (23 ml) southwest of Inverness. Lake's surface is 16 m (52 ft) above sea level. The lake is best known for alleged sightings of Loch Ness Monster (aka "Nessie"). Popular belief in animal's existence has varied since 1933 when it was brought to world's attention for the first time.

Loch Ness is linked at the southern end by River Oich and a section of Caledonian Canal to Loch Oich. There is Bona Narrows at the northern end which opens into Loch Dochfour, feeding River Ness and a further canal section to Inverness. It's one of a series of interconnected bodies of water in Scotland. Water visibility is very low due to the high peat content in the surrounding soil.

Ness is the 2nd largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56 km2 (22 ml2) after Loch Lomond. However, due to its great depth, it's the largest by volume found in the British Isles. The deepest point of Loch Ness is 230 m (755 ft), making it the 2nd deepest in Scotland after Loch Morar. 2016 survey claimed to have found a crevice which pushed the depth to 271 m (889 ft) but further research determined it to be sonar anomaly. It гьs more fresh water than all lakes in Wales and England combined, and is the biggest body of water in Great Glen, running from Inverness to Fort William in the south.

"Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition" (at Drumnadrochit) examines lake's legend and natural history. Boat tours operate out of various locations along the coast, giving tourists the chance to look for the unique "monster". Urquhart Castle is on lake's western shore, approx 1,6 km (1 ml) east of Drumnadrochit. Lighthouses are located at Fort Augustus and Lochend (Bona Lighthouse).

Loch Ness tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Some cruise ships anchor in Urquhart Bay for the tour to Urquhart Castle - among Scottish Highlands' most famous castles. The Urquhart Castle was built upon an older neolithic site, and is associated with other Highland clans, among which Durwards, MacDonalds, Grants, Jacobites, Covenanters. The castle was reduced to ruins in 1690.