The Boathouse Restaurant, Fort Augustus - Discover one of the Special Secrets of Loch Ness” On the shores of Loch Ness, in the grounds of The Highland Club, (Fort Augustus Abbey), The Boathouse offers you the very best fresh Scottish produce in a setting second to none. You can enjoy fish from the West Coast, local venison and fully matured beef, in a relaxed and very welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the shore. www.lochnessboathouse.co.uk

The Bothy, Fort Augustus - On the banks of the Caledonian Canal in a 200 year old cottage, The Bothy is a traditional Scottish restaurant and bar. They take pride in friendly service and freshly cooked quality food as well as fine wines, malt whiskies and local real ales. www.lochnessrestaurant.co.uk

Lovat Brasserie, Fort Augustus - Gastro-style fresh, local and seasonal Scottish produce is served in the open area or in the more intimate contemporary alcoves. Lovat Lounge- This is a refreshing and relaxing environment that compliments and balances the hotel's modernism. Fruit smoothies, cocktails, Italian coffee and an array of Whisky are available throughout the day. Restaurant at the Lovat - This traditional elegant ambience offers the perfect place to absorb the kitchen’s creations. The brigade of 5 work enthusiastically to push for the highly acclaimed 3 AA rosettes to signify their dedication, passion & love of food. www.lovatarms-hotel.com

The Lock Inn, Fort Augustus - A small cosy bar/restaurant with original features and a roaring log fire for those cold winter nights. Here you can  enjoy some good non complicated food with good potions and reasonable prices. In the summer months enjoy the upstairs restaurant which enjoys a view out onto the canal.

Glengarry Castle Hotel, Invergarry - Since 1958 the Glengarry Castle Hotel has been a most comfortable country house hotel with a jewel of a setting...on the shores of Loch Oich which lies between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. www.glengarry.net/index.php

Inverlochy Castle Hotel, near Fort William - One of the top 200 Hotels in the UK and Ireland, with 5 stars and 3 red rosettes, this is luxury in the Highlands.   Enjoy fine dining in one of Matthew Gray's gourmet restaurants. www.inverlochycastlehotel.com/

Bridge House Tea Garden, Aberchalder - The Old Bridge Keeper's house, built in 1815, is situated on the Caledonian Canal towpath opposite the Historic Bridge of Oich and on the Great Glen Way. Open March to October serving morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas. Home baking and a warm welcome awaits you. Boater's pontoon available at the swing bridge.

The Eagle Barge Inn, South Laggan - 100ft converted steel barge fitted out in a unique style. Fully licensed bar serves real ales from a local brewery, large collection of Malt Whisky's and other alcoholic and soft drinks. The restaurant offers a selection of lights lunches & snacks and a specialised seafood restaurant in the evenings. Non fish eaters and vegetarians catered for plus children's choices. Bookings required for evenings. Outside seated areas. On Caledonian Canal/GGW, just off the A82 at South Laggan Locks. www.theeaglebarge.com

Tomdoun Seafood Restuarant, Invergarry - Specialising in the best fish and shellfish prepared by our award winning chef. Menus changing on a daily basis.
www.tomdoun.com

Letterfinlay Hotel, Loch Lochy, Spean Bridge - Letterfinlay Lodge Hotel rests on the banks of Loch Lochy and boasts breathtaking views over the Great Glen. Watch the world sail by from our panoramic sundeck whilst enjoying the freshest produce and locally landed seafood carefully hand-cooked by a team of chefs. www.letterfinlaylodgehotel.co.uk/

Local Attractions

Urquhart Castle - The castle, on the banks of Loch Ness, remains an impressive stronghold despite its ruinous state. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart’s remains include a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. Urquhart witnessed considerable conflict throughout its 500 years.
The castle’s history and that of the noble families – Durward, MacDonald and Grant – who held it, is told in the exhibition and audio-visual display in the new visitor centre. The Centre features an outstanding array of medieval artefacts found at the castle. Visitors can relax in the café and visit the shop with its local crafts. The visitor centre contains retail, interpretation area, audio-visual presentation and tearoom and toilets on one level. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/Urquhart

 
Cromarty Courthouse - Free entry to enjoy and learn more about this 18th Century Courthouse and village
www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk/index.asp

 
Culloden Battlefield - Visitor Centre and Exhibition at the site of the Battle of Culloden between the Jacobites and the Cumberland's troops in 1746. www.nts.org.uk/culloden/

 
Clava Cairns - Clava Cairns is the site of an exceptionally well preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns that were built about 4,000 years ago. The Bronze Age cemetery complex comprises of passage graves, ring cairns, kerb cairn, standing stones in a beautiful setting. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ClavaCairns

Corrimony Cairn - Corrimory Cairn, which is in Glen Urquart, about 1 mile off the main A831 Loch Ness - Glen Affric road up a signed minor road. This is a spectacular example of a passage grave, which a huge mound of pebbles, collected from the river, stacked into a giant cairn, with a hollow chamber in the centre. The original roof of the burial chamber has collapsed, but the claustrophobic passageway leading to it is still intact, and can be crawled through for its length of seven metres.

Glenfinnan Viaduct 'Harry Potter Steam Train' - enjoy a magnificent journey on a steam engine from Fort William to Mallaig. www.steamtrain.info/

Black Isle Brewery - independent organic brewery in the Scottish Highlands.www.blackislebrewery.com/

Ord Distillery, Muir of Ord - A visit to Glen Ord, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands west of Inverness, is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Watch distillers at work creating a magicial malt whisky which is sweet, malty and dry on the palate. 

Avoch Dolphin Trips - Daily sailings from picturesque Avoch Harbour on the hour, every hour - Easter to October or as demand, weather and tide allow. You may encounter osprey, red kites, seals, porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife species including otters, along with the odd historical landmark.www.dolphintripsavoch.co.uk/

 
Jacobite Experience, Loch Ness - a range of cruises and tours on and around Loch Ness www.jacobite.co.uk/

Fort Augustus Golf Club - 9 hole golf course in a spectacular Great Glen setting. Club and Trolley hire.

www.fortaugustusgc.webeden.co.uk

The Clansman Centre - Shop selling Celtic jewellery and crafts. Turf-House museum, Living shows, how people lived, food they ate. Demonstrations of Clan weaponry. Dress up man and woman in old Highland dress, re-live the life of Highlanders pre Culloden 1746. Photographs and question and answer sessions.

www.scottish-swords.com

Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre - A small but unique venue showcasing the history of the Caledonian Canal from its beginnings to its present day refurbishment. Browse through our gifts. Open April - October.

www.britishwaterways.co.uk/scotland

Ben Nevis and Aonach Mhor - Britain's highest mountain is 4,406ft (1,344m), sits above the town of Fort William. Enjoy Hill Walking. Climbing, Mountain Biking and Skiing. www.nevisrange.co.uk/

Commando Memorial - Located in moorland beside the A82 trunk road, 1¼ miles (2 km) northwest of Spean Bridge, is the Commando Memorial. This memorial was designed by Scott Sutherland and unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1952. It commemorates the elite force known as the 'Commandos', which was set up in 1940 on the orders of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to harry the axis forces and regain the initiative on the part of Britain.

Inverness Castle - Inverness Castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress in 1835 and sits on a low cliff overlooking the River Ness and the cathedral opposite. Today Inverness Castle houses the Sherriff's Court.

Loch Ness Visitor Centre - Experience the ultimate Loch Ness Monster world with up-to-date information and photographs of new and past sightings. www.lochness-centre.com/exhibition.htm

Cruise Loch Ness - Daily cruises departing every hour from Fort Augustus. Sonar, WC's, light snacks onboard. RIB trips to Urquhart Castle and ferry service to any part of Loch Ness. www.cruiselochness.com

Monster Activities - Have a great day out. White Water Rafting, Abseiling, Clay Pigeon Shooting and many more activities. Based in Fort Augustus area Open all year. www.monsteractivities.com

Great Glen Adventures - Experience the Magnificent Highlands with Great Glen Adventures. Walk to the summit of Ben Nevis or to the halfway Lochan under the magnificent north face. Climb the Loch Lochy Munros, Ben Tee and the mountains of Glen Sheil, Glen Garry and Glen Nevis. Explore the quiet hills on the shores of Loch Ness with spectacular views. Cross the historic Corrieyairack Pass or Wade’s road from Glenmoriston. Try your nerve at Abseiling and your skill at Climbing and much much more. www.greatglenadventures.com/

Highland Activities - White Water Rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, abseiling, canoeing, clay pigeon shooting, water ski-ing,  quad biking. bar and café on site.www.highlandactivities.co.uk/

Nevispix Photography -  Lochaber and the Great Glen have long been a magnet for the serious photographer. Nevispix offer a selection of workshops, photo safaris and tours to cater for all levels of photographer. Digital SLR's are available to hire. Picnic lunch provided. www.nevispix.com/

Wild West - West of the Great Glen lies Glen Garry, a little known area of outstanding beauty and abundant wildlife. Wild West offer half and full day safaris in the heart of this great wilderness to view the wildlife and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Red deer, golden eagle and sea eagles are regularly sighted. On full day trips a boat trip takes you onto Loch Hourn with its seals, numerous species of sea birds and occasionally dolphins or otters. Weather permitting we will land at Barrisdale in the heart of the Knoydart wilderness. Wild West - probably Europe's best kept secret. www.wildwestsafari.co.uk/