The Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness

Welcome to the Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness

Visitors to Loch Ness rarely visit its southern banks, instead, they dash from Fort Augustus to Urquhart Castle to all points north. However, they are missing out.

Offering up miles and miles of glorious winding roads, one of Scotland’s best walking trails and breathtaking views over to the Great Glen and the majestic Monadhliath mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, the south side of Loch Ness is well worth a visit. Let’s check into The Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness* to explore.

*Press stay* This post uses affiliate links marked with a * which I may earn a small commission from at no expense to you.

The Whitebridge Hotel on Loch Ness

High above the madding crowds of Nessie hunters on the shores of Loch Ness sits The Whitebridge Hotel*. Named after an original (and still standing) 18th century General Wade Bridge, the Whitebridge Hotel was originally built in 1899 on the site of a Kingshouse and has been brought up to date by current owners Lesley and Bella. 

The hotel now offers up warm and quirky hospitality in 12 comfy ensuite bedrooms and its popular bar and restaurant on the south side of Loch Ness.

Inside, the Whitebridge Hotel takes its cues from Wes Anderson meets the Highlands of Scotland – the decor is bold and quirky and the welcome full of surprises.

From the dangerous delight of all whiskies in the bar being just £3.90 a pop (including local dram Tomatin) to the occasional moment of slapstick – the high excitement of the hotel’s resident cat being chased out of his own bar by a visiting terrier. The Whitebridge Hotel is firmly dog friendly – most of the time!

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The Whitebridge Hotel Restaurant at Loch Ness

In the restaurant, the surprises continue. The hotel’s popular bar menu includes the usual selection of highland fare – traditional fish & chips and steak pies, mac & cheese, and curries, but it is in the specials menu that the hotel really shines.

We enjoyed sticky bbq chicken, giant plates of four-meat roasts and succulent local steaks from Inverness with giant fluffy chips. Puds includes salted caramel brownies and sticky toffee pudding.

Everything we tried (and we worked our way through most of the menu) was absolutely delicious – and the portions were huge. After a long day out exploring you don’t want a kitchen which skimps on the portions. Veggies, vegans and gluten-free folks are also all well accommodated for.

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Things to do at the Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness

Built in the 1800s and sitting right above Loch Ness, the views from the Whitebridge Hotel look out to the great glen and the Cairngorms mountains. You could spend your time curled up in front of the view, dram in hand.

However, whatever the time of year, there are lots of things to get up to around The Whitebridge Hotel in including exploring the Great Glen, the Caledonian Canal, and exploring the lochs and woods of the south side of Loch Ness. Here are my favourite things to do on Loch Ness at The Whitebridge Hotel:

Explore Whitebridge and hike the local hills

The Whitebridge Hotel sits on General Wade’s Military Road between Fort Augustus and Inverness, where it crosses the River Fechlin with an original Wade Bridge built in 1732 – from which the hotel takes its name.

The bridge is one of the best examples of a hump-backed bridge and was used to link the forts at Inverness and Kichumein, now called Fort Augustus.

From the hotel, cross the bridge and then climb up to Beinn Sgurach behind the hotel for a beautiful view across South Loch Ness. You don’t have to climb high up the hill, but from the top, you have a 360 view of the area’s seven lochs.

Drive up to beautiful Loch Killin

The best road in the area takes you up to the hidden Loch Killin. A single-track road follows the River Fechlin to one of Scotland’s beautiful lochs. Once you get to the loch, the road along the lochside is private but is accessible by foot and bike.

On your way back down the glen, the views back down the valley to Whitebridge are just stunning.

Hike the South Ness Trail or the Loch Ness 360

Love a long walk? The Whitebridge Hotel sits on the newly formed Loch Ness 360 trail which can be both walked and cycled in around a week and connects paths all around the whole of Loch Ness including connecting up with the Great Glen Way and the South Loch Ness Trail.

From the hotel, you can walk to either down to the waterfalls at Foyers or to Fort Augustus along the trail. past the Suidhe viewpoint. There is a map of the trail right outside the hotel, just follow the blue marker and squirrel.

Visit the Falls of Foyers

The 140ft falls at Foyers have been famous since Victorian times – and inspired verses from Robert Burns and “Scotland’s worst poet” William McGonagall.

“Among the heathy hills and ragged woods, the roaring Fyers pours his mossy floods; Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds, where, thro’ a shapeless breach, his stream resounds” – Robert Burns

There is a car park, shop and cafe at the top of the falls. There are well-made but very steep paths down to the viewing platforms for the falls, but there is no disabled access.

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Say hello to the Nessie Hunter at Dores

Looking for Nessie? Steve Feltham otherwise known as the Nessie Hunter has been resident on the shore at Dores on Loch Ness since 1991, mounting a one-man permanent search for the famous monster. The view at Dores down to Urquhart Castle is also stunning – whatever the weather on Loch Ness!

See The Lady Falls and The Culachy Estate

Glen Tarff is a steep and narrow gorge hidden in the 8000-acre Culachy Estate near Fort Augustus. To find the gorge, take the Fort Augustus explorer path to the edge of the Culachy Estate and then very carefully follow the path along the gorge edge.

Behind the pink Cullochy House, now a private shooting lodge, are the pretty Lady Falls. Look out for red, roe and sika deer in the woods around you as you explore the estate as well a large herd of highland coos!

Further afield – explore the Caledonian Canal, take a RIB out on the loch with Cruise Loch Ness, and visit Urquhart Castle.

Stay at the Whitebridge Hotel

If you are looking for somewhere to stay on Loch Ness, then I highly recommend you book The Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness* for Scottish Highland hospitality at its best. Love, from Scotland x