Europe Travel

History and Nessie Spotting // Visiting Urquhart Castle

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When our bus from Inverness to Drumnadrochit flew right past our stop and started making its way out of town, we knew we had made a BIG mistake. How in the world were we going to get to our hotel to check in? Would we have to walk? It was starting to look like it. But then again, maybe, just maybe, things would turn out okay. And they did!

As it turned out, the bus that we were on went right past Urquhart Castle – the top sight on our list for our short time in Drumnadrochit. This time, the bus stopped. We figured that we might as well get off before we made it any further away from our destination. And, since we were staying just one night and we were only carrying small backpacks, we simply walked on in and bought our tickets.

Exploring Urquhart Castle

After we bought our tickets, we walked through the small gift shop and emerged on the other side to an amazing view of the castle and Loch Ness behind it. Although we were excited to get to exploring, we took a good fifteen minutes to make it down the hill and into the castle. I just couldn’t help but stop every couple of feet to take another photo, and of course we had to check out the giant trebuchet!

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

[one_half]Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.[/one_half][one_half_last]Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.[/one_half_last]

After stopping for photos of the trebuchet, we finally made it to the entrance way of the castle. Once again, I made Daniel stop so I could take some pictures.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.
Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

[one_half]Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

We snuck a peak into the guard tower, and then it was on and up to the meeting point for the free walking tour!

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

The Tour

We were one of the first to reach the top of the castle and meet with our guide Andy. Once it looked like everyone who wanted to take the free tour had made it, Andy started off. He began with an overview of the history of the castle. He would often point to nearby sketches of what the castle probably looked like through the years. I thought these extra visual representations were really helpful, since I always have trouble imaging what ruins would have looked like in their heyday. We heard about the different owners of the castle, what it was used for, and a whole lot more history. Plus, this was all while enjoying some pretty fantastic views over the loch.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle. Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

It was starting to look like rain though, so Andy decided that it was time to get going. He led us down through the rest of the castle, stopping at various different places to tell us about them.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

Finally, we ended up at the Grant Tower – the most intact part of the castle that is left. Our tour finished up outside of the tower, but Andy made sure to give us plenty of tips for when we went into explore for ourselves. He was even around to answer questions if we happened to bump in to him! We ran into him in the basement and he pointed out how much more jagged the rocks in that part of the tower were than those at the top. This was because they built the basement first, and the technology wasn’t as good.

All in all, Andy’s tour was very informative. We were very happy that we managed to arrive on time to catch it. We definitely learned so much more than we would have just reading the signs scattered throughout the castle. Easily the best part of it all though was just how stunning the location of Urquhart Castle was. Overlooking Loch Ness, I don’t think they could have found a better place.

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

[one_half]Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.[/one_half][one_half_last]Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.[/one_half_last]

Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

If You Go

From Inverness, the number 19, 917, and 919 buses all take you straight to the Urquhart Castle Car Park after about a half hour ride. These busses also pass through the popular Loch Ness tourist village of Drumnadrochit if you’re staying there. Check the Stagecoach Bus website for bus times.

Urquhart Castle is open from 9:30am every day except for the 25th and 26th of December. Closing times range from 4:30pm to 6:00pm depending on the season. Tickets are £8.50 for adults and £5.50 for children aged 5-15 (children under 5 get in free). If you’re a member of Historic Scotland, tickets are free.

If guided tours are your thing, Historic Scotland offers free half-hour tours throughout the day, which I highly recommend.

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Loch Ness is often seen as Scotland's biggest tourist trap - but it's also incredibly beautiful. Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness, is one example of this. Check out this post for a guide on how to visit Urquhart Castle.

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Untold Morsels

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

Booking Flights: The first place I turn when I’m searching for flights is actually just Google Flights - it’s great to figure out what sort of routes are available. Then, I check Skyscanner and Kiwi for deals. I also love Kiwi for its destination: anywhere feature!

Transportation: I love Omio for figuring out the cheapest way to get from one place to another, and Trainline for booking train tickets within Europe.

Accommodations: I absolutely love Booking.com for finding great hotel deals. After you stay a certain number of nights, you get Genius discounts! For hostels, Hostelworld is my go-to, and I use Airbnb occasionally as well (click here for $40 off your first booking!)

Travel Insurance: I knew that I shouldn’t travel without insurance for the longest time, but I really learned my lesson when I got an infected cut in Bali. Thank goodness I had travel insurance! I use and love World Nomads for their extremely comprehensive coverage.

Travel Insurance: I knew that I shouldn’t travel without insurance for the longest time, but I really learned my lesson when I got an infected cut in Bali. Thank goodness I had travel insurance! I use and love World Nomads for their extremely comprehensive coverage.

Tours: I always check Urban Adventures for great day tours of cities first–I’m obsessed with them! GetYourGuide and Viator are also great options. For multi-day tours, I highly recommend Intrepid.

Camera Gear: I use a Sony Alpha A6300 camera with an 18-105 mm lens and a 35 mm lens. My tripod is the MeFoto Backpacker Air and I loooooove it! I also use a DJI Mavic Air and a GoPro and which allow me to capture everything my regular camera can’t.

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Addie Gray is a recent college grad and a passionate solo female traveler. Having traveled to more than 20 countries, she now shares her knowledge on budget travel, solo female travel, and travel photography.

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