Though it may not feel like summer in the highlands at the moment, there’s still a variety of events and activities happening that showcase the best of what the Loch Ness area has to offer.
Whether you’re a fan of festivals, traditional games, or outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Loch Ness area. The Loch Ness Inn is in the perfect spot to access the surrounding events, so if you’re coming to stay in this beautiful area, be sure to check out some of these summer activities at loch ness, or plan ahead for next year’s adventure.
This past weekend, thousands flocked to the Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum. This festival is one of the most popular summer events in the Highlands, adored by locals and attracting music lovers from all over the country. It features a diverse line up of music acts across multiple stages, along with art installations, workshops, and a variety of food and drink vendors. The lively atmosphere and beautiful setting makes it a must-visit event for anyone in the area, so if you missed it this year get your tickets for 2025, as it’s always an incredible event.
If you want a taste of traditional Highland culture, don’t miss the Black Isle Show. This annual event celebrates rural life with livestock competitions, horse shows, and agricultural displays. Visitors can also enjoy craft stalls, local food and drink, and live entertainment. It’s a great opportunity to experience the local heritage and community spirit felt in the area, and to learn more about the farming lifestyle.
Eden Court’s Under Canvas runs throughout the summer, offering a series of live music performances in an outdoor, tented setting. This event combines great music with a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere, where you can enjoy local bands, delicious street food, and craft beverages as you soak up the summer vibes on the banks of the River Ness. You can enjoy a dynamic programme of music, ranging from trad to contemporary, with features from DJ’s on select Saturday nights.
No visit to the Highlands is complete without attending a Highland Games event. The Highland Games are a long-standing tradition, initially established as a way to find the clan’s strongest warriors, and the games are continued to this day to bring the community together and honour Celtic culture. The Glenurquhart Highland Games will take place on the 24th of August, and will feature caber tossing, hammer throwing, the Glen Challenge, the Achmony Hill Race, track running for adults and children, solo piping and the highly anticipated tug o’war. There will also be a variety of trade stands, including food and drink vendors and craft stalls, and the ever popular fair rides.
For any spirit or brew lovers, exploring the local distilleries and breweries is a fantastic way to spend a summer day in the Loch Ness area. Take a tour of renowned distilleries like Glen Ord, Tomatin, or Uile Bheist to learn about the whisky-making process and sample some of the country’s finest whiskies. From Drumnadrochit, you can also day trip to the Isle of Skye to visit the legendary Talisker distillery.
The Black Isle Brewery in Inverness offers a great selection of craft, organic beers, and if you travel to Aviemore you can pick up some Cairngorm Brewery beers. If you’d rather spend your day relaxing outside rather than driving to different locations, you can enjoy all of these drinks and more at the Loch Ness Inn’s Brewery Bar. Sip leisurely on your beer in the beer garden, or drink inside and catch up on the week’s sports.
The Highlands has some of the best biking trails in Scotland, with routes that cater to all levels of experience. You can enjoy a leisurely ride around the city of Inverness, or you can hit some of the mountain bike trails in the area for an adrenaline rush. Learnie Red Rocks in Fortrose is a great spot for beginners and intermediate riders, offering a variety of trails as well as a bike park and dirt jump area. In Fort William, the Nevis Range trails offers more technical tracks for experienced riders, though there are some great family-friendly options here too, such as the Witch’s Trails. The surrounding areas are stunning, too, so if you don’t want to bike there are lots of hiking and viewpoint options.
The Loch Ness area is full of scenic swimming spots, and there’s nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the water after a day of adventuring. Popular spots for wild swimming include Dores Beach on the northern shore of Loch Ness and Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin in Glen Affric, and there’s lots of beaches to check out on the Black Isle, too. Make sure you check weather conditions before going for a swim, and take some warm clothes to hop into afterwards!
With its mix of events and activities on offer, Loch Ness is the perfect summer destination. Plan your visit and make the most of this magical season in the Highlands by staying at the Loch Ness Inn, where the rooms are comfortable, the food is delicious and the staff are welcoming and happy to help!