Exploring the Lochs of Scotland

Loch Ness needs little introduction. Long before Nessie made it famous, it was simply one of the most atmospheric places in the Highlands, a great dark ribbon of water running through the Great Glen between steep, wooded hillsides, and stories of a monster go back centuries. On a misty morning, with the ruins of Urquhart Castle standing above the dark water, it is not hard to see why.

People often ask how deep Loch Ness is. At around 230 metres (about 750 feet), it is deep enough to hold more water than all the lakes of England and Wales put together.

It is also one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the Caledonian Canal. Our Caledonian Canal cruises aboard Lord of the Highlands glide through it at a gentle pace, with the best of the scenery passing by your window or your deck chair. A boat tour of the loch from Inverness, with a visit to Urquhart Castle, can also feature on our Northern Isles cruises, as in our Northern Isles Explorer cruise log.

Loch Awe is the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, stretching around 25 miles through Argyll, and it has a wonderfully romantic feel. Wooded islands dot the water and the mountains rise steeply behind.

At the northern end, Kilchurn Castle stands on a spit of land with Ben Cruachan behind it. It is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, and the most famous of the castles of Loch Awe. Nearby, St Conan’s Kirk at Lochawe is a charming and rather eccentric church, well worth a visit.

Loch Lomond is Scotland’s best-loved loch, and it is celebrated in the traditional song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond. It is the largest loch in Britain by surface area, and it sits on the edge of the Highlands, easy to reach from Glasgow.

The southern end is wide and scattered with more than 30 wooded islands. To the north the loch narrows and the mountains close in, with Ben Lomond keeping watch. It lies within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and is a favourite for gentle walks and Loch Lomond cruises on the water.

Our guests know it well too. The coach journey between Glasgow and Oban runs along its shore, sometimes with a stop for Hebridean coffee beside the water, as described in our Footloose to Skye & the Shiants and Footloose to the Far North cruise logs.

Loch Fyne is the longest sea loch in Scotland, reaching around 40 miles inland from the Sound of Bute. It feels a world away from the open sea, with sheltered, silvery water and green hills sloping down to the shore. It is a place for food lovers too, famous for its oysters and kippers.

Along the shore stand Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll and chief of Clan Campbell, and the beautiful Ardkinglas House. Depending on the itinerary, Hebridean Princess sails the length of Loch Fyne, with visits to Ardkinglas House and a tour of the private apartments at Inveraray Castle. It is exactly the kind of experience that makes a small ship so special. For a flavour, see our Gems of Argyll and Footloose on the Clyde cruise logs.

Loch Morar is the deepest loch in Scotland, plunging to around 310 metres (over 1,000 feet), and the deepest freshwater in the British Isles. It lies near Mallaig on the west coast, and it is far quieter than its famous cousin, though it too has a legendary monster, known as Mòrag.

For those who like their scenery peaceful and unspoilt, it is hard to beat.

Its shores can be admired from Tarbet on Loch Nevis, where a beach landing leads to walks and views over Loch Morar, as our Springtime Surprise cruise log describes.

Some of the most beautiful lochs never appear on the famous lists, simply because no road reaches them. A small ship can slip quietly into them, and these are four of our favourites.

Loch Ewe lies on the wild north-west coast, sheltered by hills and looking out towards the Minch. It is a peaceful place today, though in the Second World War it was a gathering point for the Arctic convoys, and the story is told at the Arctic Convoy Museum nearby.

The real joy is Inverewe Garden at Poolewe, where guests are traditionally piped ashore. Created in the 19th century on a rugged coastal estate and warmed by the Gulf Stream, it grows subtropical plants far further north than you would ever expect. Depending on the itinerary, other gardens nearby, such as Dundonnell House, can be explored too. Our Blooming Wonders of the West Coast cruise log tells the story of a visit.

Loch Dunvegan cuts into the north-west coast of Skye, and at its head stands Dunvegan Castle, home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for around 800 years. Its gardens run down towards the water, and boat trips from the castle glide out to see the local seal colonies.

On some itineraries, Hebridean Princess calls here for lunch at the renowned Three Chimneys Restaurant. Arriving by ship gives a real sense of how the MacLeods once watched over this stretch of coast. You can read about a visit in our Flavours of the Hebrides cruise log.

Loch Coruisk is one of the most dramatic places in Scotland. This freshwater loch lies in a hollow of the Black Cuillin on Skye, ringed by jagged peaks that rise straight from its shore.

There is no road, so Hebridean Princess anchors in Loch Scavaig and tenders carry guests ashore for a walk to the water’s edge, with Hebridean refreshments waiting at the end. The setting really is cauldron-like, with steep rock rising on every side. Our Footloose to Skye & the Shiants and Hidden Isles and Highland Gems cruise logs both describe the walk.

Loch Ryan is a sheltered sea loch in Dumfries and Galloway, around eight miles long, with the town of Stranraer at its head. It has been a busy and welcoming harbour for centuries, and it is home to Scotland’s largest remaining native oyster reef.

Loch Ryan can feature on cruises such as our garden itineraries to Northern Ireland, where it is the gateway to Logan Botanic Garden, an outpost of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The mild climate allows tree ferns and cabbage palms to flourish in the open air, which comes as a delightful surprise. It is all recorded in our Gardens of Argyll and Antrim cruise log.