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50 Minute Cruise on Loch Ness Review – All You Need to Know

Last updated on June 20th, 2024 at 02:46 pm

  • Interested in taking a cruise on Loch Ness?
  • This review is of one of the most popular cruises on Loch Ness.
  • This 50-minute trip travels around the central section of Loch Ness and gives an amazing view of Urquhart Castle.
  • (Here’s my detailed review of the Loch Ness Cruise Shore Excursion from Invergordon if you are visiting on a cruise ship)

Links You Might Find Helpful:
50 Minute Cruise on Loch Ness
2.5 Hour Cruise on Loch Ness
Combined Tour with Bus to and from Inverness and Urquhart Castle visit

Short on Time?

Here’s what you need to know;

  • You need to have your own transport to get to this boat trip due to the location of the pier
  • You need to be able to walk down some large uneven steps and then down a gravel path to the pier itself
  • Before boarding you need to collect a boarding token from the pier ticket kiosk
  • You can take dogs on this cruise but you must notify Jacobite in advance as there is a limit to the total number of dogs on board a sailing
  • This cruise sails down to Urquhart Castle and then returns

Cruise on Loch Ness

Where Do Loch Ness Cruises Go From?

This depends on which cruise you are taking. Loch Ness cruises depart from Inverness, Dochgarroch, The Clansman Hotel, Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus and Foyers.

cruise on loch ness the clansman hotel

Cruise on Loch Ness

Getting to the Clansman Hotel

  • The Clansman Hotel is located on the Western shore of Loch Ness.
  • It is 12 miles South of Inverness on the A82.
  • You need to have your own transport to get to the Clansman Hotel or take a taxi from Inverness. There is no bus stop.
  • If you are driving take lots of care when turning into the hotel as the A82 is a very busy road. There is also a bit of camber on the road going into the hotel.
  • There is parking at the hotel but this is quite limited.
  • If you are planning on visiting anytime from April to September the parking is very limited. This is because many cruise ship passengers take cruises from here too and they arrive by bus.
  • There is a parking attendant during the peak months to help direct people to spaces.

Cruise on Loch Ness

Clansman Hotel Facilities

  • The hotel has toilets on the ground floor. They are just to the right as you enter the hotel.
  • There is quite a large gift shop on the ground floor too – it’s just on the left as you get to the main entrance.
  • Upstairs there is a cafe with views across Loch Ness. This is ideal if anyone doesn’t want to take a boat trip on Loch Ness – they can enjoy a nice cuppa while everyone else is on the boat.
loch ness cruise

Cruise on Loch Ness

Getting to the Boat

  • The boat trip does not depart from the hotel.
  • By the end of the hotel building, you will see a large Nessie figure.
  • Next to this is a big sign with a picture of a boat.
  • If you are facing the hotel entrance the sign and Nessie are on your left-hand side.
  • Beside the sign, you will see some large steps leading down. Follow these and then walk underneath the road via the small tunnel.
  • There is no access to the boat from the road and the road is extremely dangerous as cars are travelling at 60mph.
  • The steps down to the tunnel are large and uneven. When it’s busy it can be difficult to use the handrail.
  • Once you have walked through the tunnel you will see a path leading down to the pier.
cruise on loch ness steps

The steps are large and uneven, and there is only a handrail at the top part of the steps.

cruise on loch ness tunnel

Once you pass through the tunnel you need to walk down the sloping path to the pier area.

cruise on loch ness pier

Cruise on Loch Ness

Getting To The Boat

Everyone going on board the cruise has to have a boarding token.

Simply take your ticket or confirmation to the ticket office at the pier to collect your boarding token.

  • You can also buy tickets at the ticket office if you have not already booked.
  • (Booking is recommended in peak periods)
  • Once you have your token you join the queue to board.
  • To speed boarding when the boat arrives they will often pre-board passengers.
  • This means they will take your boarding token and then get you to wait right beside where the boat is going to dock.
  • There is only a small covered bus shelter at the waiting area. It can hold about 10 people in total. The boat can take around 200.
  • It can often be a little windier beside Loch Ness so extra layers and a rainjacket or umbrella are advisable.

Cruise on Loch Ness

Boarding the Boat

  • You will see the boat coming up the Loch towards the pier. Once the previous guests have disembarked and the crew have done a quick safety check they will start loading the boat.
  • If you need easier access to the boat, for example, you have a walking stick, speak to the crew when you give them your boarding token. They will often let you board at the front of the boat which is easier.
  • There are tables and bench seats inside the boat.
  • Upstairs there is just bench seating.
  • The seats to go upstairs are very steep.
  • If it has been raining they may limit the access to the upper deck if the steps are slippery.

Cruise on Loch Ness

What’s On the Cruise Boat

The cruise boat can take around 250 people and it can be very busy in peak periods.

Downstairs

  • Seating around tables for 6-8 people at each table plus some bench seating
  • 3 toilets at the rear of the boat beside the bar
  • Bar serving refreshments including hot drinks, snacks, and alcohol (including local beer and whisky). Hot chocolates are sometimes welcome in colder weather. There are also crisps and chocolate bars.
  • There are several sonar screens dotted around the inside of the boat.
  • There is a small outside viewing area with a seat at the front of the boat.
  • There is a small outside viewing areas at the rear of the boat.
  • Steps up to the upper deck (quite steep)

Upper Deck (Outside)

  • There is bench seating

Cruise on Loch Ness

During the Cruise

Once the crew has everyone boarded they will take off the ropes mooring the boat.

  • Once they have finished all these duties they will head inside to operate the bar.
  • The cruise starts with a safety announcement. This can be quite loud.
  • The boat heads South on Loch Ness.
  • During the cruise there is a pre-recorded commentary.
  • The boat will cruise to Urquhart Castle. As the boat approaches the castle the Captain will turn the boat so that all guests get a great view.
  • Have your cameras ready because this is absolutely the best view of the castle.
  • The boat will stop at Urquhart Castle to allow some guests to exit the boat and some more guests to board the boat.

PT Tip

If you want to move seats, the best time to do this is when guests get off at Urquhart Castle, before the next guests board.

Cruise on Loch Ness

Returning to the Clansman Hotel

  • After the brief stop at Urquhart Castle the boat returns heading North to the Clansman Hotel.
  • There is more commentary throughout the cruise.
  • As the boat reaches the pier there is some lively Scottish music to finish things off.
  • If the boat is full it can be quite busy getting off the boat.
  • Once you are off the boat you need to follow the path back up and through the tunnel to the Clansman Hotel.
  • This can be quite congested at times and there is often a queue to get through the tunnel as a result.

Cruise on Loch Ness Pro’s and Cons

Pros

  • This boat trip is ideal if you are short on time and want and introduction to Loch Ness.
  • It’s also ideal if you want to see Urquhart Castle from the water.
  • You can easily combine this with a visit to the gift shop and/or cafe at the Clansman Hotel for a nice half day out.

Cons

  • Parking is very limited in summer months at the Clansman Hotel so allow plenty of extra time to get parked.
  • In peak months this boat trip is very busy due to cruise ship passengers taking this tour. As a result, it can be crowded, making it difficult to hear the commentary.
  • You have to be able to walk down the large steps and down to the pier to access this cruise.

Cruise on Loch Ness – Conclusion

  • This boat trip is ideal if you have your own transport.
  • It’s a great option to see the central part of Loch Ness, get a great view of Urquhart Castle, and to travel the deepest part of Loch Ness (where the most sightings of Nessie are!)
  • There is a cafe, gift shop, and toilets at the hotel.

(If you want easier parking, a longer cruise, and step free access to the boat then this 2.5 hour cruise option is a better option)

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