Email: enquiry@benleva.co.uk
Telephone:
+44(0)1456 450080
Loch Ness Hotel - Activities
Drumnadrochit (Scottish Gaelic, Druim na Droichaid) is a village lying on the north shore of Loch Ness at the foot of Glen Urquhart. The settlement grew up around a bridge over the River Enrick and the name Drumnadrochit is thought to be derived from the Scottish Gaelic and mean the Ridge of the Bridge. There are a vast array of activities to choose from in Drumnadrochit and the surrounding area. We have highlighted some of the most popular but see our links page for more sites connected to the local area and beyond.
- Walking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Golfing
- Skiing
- Horse Riding
- Historic Attractions
- Caledonian Canal
- Monster Hunting
Walking
Some of Scotland's finest walks are just a short distance from Benleva. Glen Affric, Glen Urquhart and indeed the Great Glen Way are close at hand along with numerous woodland walks. From the hotel itself it is also possible to follow the path through a fantastic area of natural woodland right down Loch Ness itself or climb up along the numerous forest trails to many viewpoints overlooking Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness.
For munro baggers there are over 50 munros within an hours drive from the hotel.
Mountain Biking
There are numerous biking trails for all abilities in the hills and forests around Drumnadrochit including a specialised bike park at Balnain (5 miles away). This is for experienced riders only however.
Fishing
The area around Benleva offers outstanding fishing opportunities for all types of angler and we would be pleased to point you in the right direction to find the best local places.
Loch Ness is easily accessible along the shore and for those wishing to venture out on the water, boat hire can be arranged. Wild brown trout, sea trout and salmon are abundant and in the murky depths lie some extremely large ferox trout and the rare arctic char. Coarse anglers can try to tempt the large pike which inhabit the reedy bays.
Those looking to explore the surrounding area for a more secluded spot will find dozens of smaller lochs many of which are easily accessible from the road but for those wishing to venture further into the hills the rewards are fabulous. Dozens of remote hill lochs full with hard fighting wild brown trout amidst the most beautiful scenery.
click for more photosThere is plenty of river fishing available, including the River Enrick which flows past the Benleva. Here though you will have to compete with the local otter family for your fish! Whether your day's fishing is successful or not, you will be guaranteed an enjoyable day in spectacular surroundings.
The brown trout season runs from 15th March till 6th October and the salmon season generally runs between February and November (variable between rivers). There is no close season for coarse fishing.
Skiing
Fantastic skiing is available within an hours drive of the hotel. Both the Nevis Range near Fort William and Cairngorm Mountain near Aviemore offer excellent skiing for all abilities.
A further 30 mins beyond the Nevis Range is Glencoe Ski Centre which also offers superb skiing in dramatic surroundings. Ski/Snowboard hire and tuition are available at all the ski centres.
Golfing
Within half an hour of Benleva you can play at four 18 hole courses (Inverness GC, Loch Ness GC, Torvean and Muir of Ord)and two picturesque 9 hole courses (Aigas and Fort Augustus). All have fabulous settings and will challenge any standard of golfer.
Travelling only slightly further a field will enable a visit to the championship course at Nairn or Royal Dornoch and dozens Scotland best, and quietest, courses.
All of the proprietors are keen, if technically challenged, golfers and will be able to advise you on the best courses to play, organise tee-off times and perhaps even loan you a set of golf clubs for the day.
Horse Riding
Drumnadrochit has a fine riding centre just a 5-minute stroll from Benleva. They cater for all riders from novice to expert and we will gladly help you to arrange a day with the horses.
Cougie - Highland Trekking & Trail Riding is situated at the remote settlement of Cougie, ten miles from the village of Cannich, close to the Glen Affric Nature Reserve. It is set amidst stunning scenery assuring visitors of a memorable and tranquil experience
Historic Attractions
Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions and is situated just a few minutes drive or walk from Benleva. It has a rich history and is well worth a visit. Also close by are the remains of an Iron Age Hill Fort, an ancient burial cairn at Corrimony, Stone circles of the Clava Cairns and Culloden Battle Field on the outskirts of Inverness.
Caledonian Canal
Stretching from Fort William to Inverness, the Caledonian Canal is 60 miles long. 22 miles are man-made: the rest are natural lochs, namely Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour.
Widely considered a masterpiece of canal engineering, the Caledonian is on a scale incomparable with almost anything else in Britain. It has survived in part due to its continuing importance in the Highland economy, and partly because it is quite simply spectacular.
Monster Hunting
Those seeking Nessie can look for assistance at one of the two Monster Exhibition Centres in Drumnadrochit, or simply take a boat trip on Loch Ness to seek her out for yourself. Several companies can be found in the area who operate cruises and we will guide you in the right direction to maximise your chances of a sighting!
Other suggestions
Within an hour's drive or bus journey from Benleva you can find several whisky distilleries, woollen mills, museums, art galleries, watersports centres - something for everyone. Further information will of course be available on arrival at Benleva, and we will try our best to help you plan your holiday.