29th May, 2024
Plan a trip to Loch Ness from Edinburgh
How to plan a trip to Loch Ness from Edinburgh:
When visiting Scotland, if you’re planning on making the 170-mile journey from Edinburgh to Loch Ness, you’re not alone, as every year thousands of tourists travel from the historical capital to the stunning Scottish Highlands, and the mysterious Loch Ness.
With so much to experience, to help you get the most from your visit, we’ve crafted an ideal itinerary, featuring ourselves…The Real Mary King’s Close, together with our Continuum Attractions sister attraction The Loch Ness Centre, which re-opened in 2023 following a £1.5m reimagination.
The perfect way to start your day in Edinburgh
Prepare for the day ahead and enjoy a tasty breakfast. Located on The Royal Mile and reasonably priced for the location, we recommend Luckenbooths right next door to The Real Mary King’s Close.
Open from 7:00 am, you can order breakfast dishes ranging from full Scottish breakfasts to smoothie bowls, porridge and hot smoked salmon with French toast. Then once you’ve enjoyed a hearty breakfast, head into Edinburgh’s rich history with a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close.
A Day in Edinburgh
Discover what life was like in Edinburgh’s Old Town
Once a street that bustled with busy markets and over 600 residents, Mary King’s Close was buried beneath the Edinburgh City Chambers following the council building’s construction in 1753.
For centuries the street remained forgotten, encapsulated in time. Fast forward to today and you can now join a 1-hour guided tour led by a ‘former resident’ of the close. There you’ll descend into a warren of hidden streets, and discover what life was like for residents of Edinburgh’s Old Town at this Top 10 visitor attraction, as voted by TripAdvisor.
Be sure to book your tickets online in advance and arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.
Following your tour, you can visit the attraction’s listed Burgh Courtroom for a selection of locally brewed coffees, teas and a range of Scottish snacks. Take a stroll along the Royal Mile and explore a nearby attraction such as Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill for panoramic views of the city.
Wander down to the Grassmarket area and dine somewhere relaxed like Hula or Bertie’s Proper Fish and Chips for lunch. In the afternoon, discover Scotland’s whisky heritage with a tour at the Scotch Whisky Experience, or enjoy a leisurely hike up Arthur’s Seat for breath-taking views.
How do I plan a trip to Loch Ness from Edinburgh?
How long does the journey take from Edinburgh to Inverness?
The quickest option is by car and takes around 3.5 hours along the M90 and A9 via Perth, while the LNER train to Inverness from the world-famous Edinburgh Waverley Station will take you around 5 hours. Meaning if traveling by train, you’ll need to arrange either a taxi or car rental to transport you the remaining 14-mile journey to Loch Ness, and Drumnadrochit, the home of The Loch Ness Centre.
Travelling to Inverness
A day of adventure at Loch Ness
Positioned at the head of Urquhart Bay, Drumnadrochit awaits. Our recently reimagined sister attraction, The Loch Ness Centre, is located at the entrance to the village, with free car parking on-site for all visitors. We recommend booking an Anytime Ticket so you can join an available tour whenever you like. There you’ll enjoy a 1-hour immersive experience and discover the history of its mysterious loch and its elusive monster.
The Loch Ness Centre, which is also brought to you by the award-winning Continuum Attractions, has made sure you’ll uncover secrets of the loch’s cold, dark waters and discover unique artefacts used in the ongoing quest for answers.
A Day at Loch Ness
Get ready to discover the Nessie-sary truth
Located in the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, the imposing location where Mrs Aldie MacKay reported seeing a ‘whale-like fish’ or ‘water beast’ in the waters of Loch Ness. The sighting resulted in the birth of a monster media frenzy and created a global legend. At The Loch Ness Centre, you’ll take an immersive walk through 500 million years of history, uncover hidden secrets and delve into scientific research inspired by the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Spoiler…you can even spot some of our Real Mary King’s Close tour guides participating in the recreation scene of the first visible sighting.
Also, if visiting in the late spring, summer, or early autumn seasons, don’t miss out on a Deepscan Cruise. Named after 1987’s Operation Deepscan – which was the largest search for Nessie until The Quest launched in 2023 – this is the perfect way to gain in-depth knowledge of the area.
Take a break for lunch at one of the local eateries like Café Eighty2 or The Loch Ness Inn. Then, visit Urquhart Castle, a picturesque ruin with commanding views over the loch.
What’s more, Drumnadrochit is surrounded by Glen Urquhart and Glen Moriston. Also, the Great Glen that reaches across from Inverness in the east to Fort William in the west.
Looking to extend your Loch Ness stay?
For a dreamy overnight stay, you can choose from a variety of accommodations in Drumnadrochit or Inverness.
Popular choices for visitors include:
Loch Ness Country House Hotel (for something truly luxurious)
Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel (right beside The Loch Ness Centre!)
The Real Mary King’s Close and The Loch Ness Centre, are operated and brought to life by Continuum Attractions. They’re a dedicated bunch of people with over 30 years’ experience developing commercially successful visitor attractions.
Discover more amazing days out across the UK by clicking here.
The Real Mary King’s Close and The Loch Ness Centre are proud members of Continuum Attractions.
Discover more amazing days out across the UK by clicking here.
Continuum Attractions is committed to achieving the highest standards of Health & Safety to all its visitors and employees. We are proud of the processes, systems and procedures we have in place across our business. Health & Safety is much a part of our company culture as our dedication to delivering unique experiences in memorable locations.
