Loch Ness Lodge Steals Nessie’s Thunder
Binoculars were the only thing missing from our highly accommodating room at Loch Ness Lodge. After all, our suite offered a stunning bay-window view of Loch Ness from where we could spend hours casting our eyes upon the shimmering water in search of the legendary monster.
Forget that. We’re not about to waste our precious time on that silly endeavor. However, it’s worth taking a moment to contemplate the massive body of water over which the lodge is situated. At a length of 23 miles, width of a mile and depth of 754 feet, Loch Ness is Europe’s third deepest loch, according to my Rick Steves’ guide. It holds more water than all the freshwater bodies in England and Wales combined.
After the loch, the lodge is one of Loch Ness’ main attractions with plenty of welcoming public spaces from which to chill after several days of driving on the frighteningly narrow Scottish roads. Add to that the drama of navigating on a side of the road that felt as foreign as the likelihood of finding Nessie.
We arrived famished around 3 p.m., which unbeknownst to us was perfectly timed for the lodge’s afternoon tea. As plates of homemade sandwiches, scones and other assorted pastries arrived, we thanked the gods of road-trip timing for rewarding us with this late-lunch substitute. We quenched our thirst with tea and an elderflower spritzer, followed by champagne.
It’s easy to see the love that went into creating this five-star oasis between a small town promoting Loch Ness Monster exhibits and the more charming city of Inverness. From the property’s landscaping to the decorative details of each room, it’s the kind of place that beckons you to curl up with a good book and never leave for sightseeing. It was the perfect break between our Highlands drive from the Isle of Skye to Edinburgh.
With a few rounds of the complimentary sherry provided in our room, the chances of seeing the Loch Ness Monster dramatically increase.
The owner and head host, Scott, welcomes and accommodates any and all needs. This included negotiating a fairly priced local taxi service into town for dinner, laundering a pair of jeans, and providing a printed map of directions back to Edinburgh with distillery tour and lunch recommendations along the way.
The smiling face of the lodge's owner is as welcoming as this place
The price of admission includes afternoon tea service, an aperitif and breakfast. Don’t miss any of these treats. The food is just as delightful as the owner’s company and the lodge’s elegant surroundings.
While the hotel might be small in size, it’s big in heart and style – just like Scotland.
