Urquhart Castle — Attraction in Great Britain

If you're visiting the Inverness area and looking for a castle that combines rich history, stunning views, and plenty of fun for the whole family, Urquhart Castle is the place to be. This was hands down one of the best castles we visited in Scotland, and we left with full hearts, countless photos, and even more memories!

First things first: make sure to pre-book your tickets and parking. The castle is popular, and parking spaces are limited, so advanced planning is essential to avoid disappointment. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this gem because you couldn’t find a spot!

The history of Urquhart Castle is nothing short of fascinating. Once a mighty fortress guarding the shores of Loch Ness, it has seen centuries of battles, sieges, and even a deliberate destruction to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. The castle ruins, though weathered, tell their own story through well-placed signboards and interactive points throughout the site. My kids were particularly intrigued by the short video at the visitor center, which lays out the castle’s history in a simple, engaging way.

The castle grounds are expansive, and you can wander through several parts of the ruins. From the Grant Tower, which offers panoramic views of Loch Ness, to the Great Hall and the remnants of the kitchens, there’s so much to see and imagine. We easily spent a few hours exploring every nook and cranny.

And speaking of fun, the fox symbols scattered throughout the castle were an unexpected delight! My kids turned it into a game of “find the fox,” which kept them entertained while we soaked in the history and views. It’s such a thoughtful touch to engage younger visitors—hats off to whoever came up with this idea!

Perched right on the edge of Loch Ness, the views from Urquhart Castle are something straight out of a postcard. The still, deep waters of the loch, framed by the surrounding hills, create a scene so serene and majestic that you could spend hours just staring at it. Bonus: If you’re lucky, you might even spot a ripple and start wondering if Nessie is saying hello!

The castle is well-equipped for visitors, with a cozy gift shop where you can grab a unique souvenir or two, clean restrooms, and a café to grab a snack after all that exploring. The staff were friendly and helpful, which made the visit even more pleasant.

Compared to some of the more tourist-heavy castles we visited, Urquhart Castle had a much more relaxed and immersive atmosphere. It felt like stepping back in time while still being accessible and enjoyable for modern visitors. The combination of history, family-friendly activities, and jaw-dropping scenery made it a unanimous favorite for our family.

Fun Fact: Did you know that during its heyday, the castle was attacked by the infamous Highland raiders known as the MacDonalds? The destruction of the castle in the late 17th century was part of a strategic decision to prevent it from falling into their hands. Walking through the ruins, you can still sense the echoes of these dramatic events.

Urquhart Castle is a must-visit if you’re in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a family looking for a memorable day out, this place has it all. Between the breathtaking Loch Ness views, the engaging historical elements, and the sheer joy of exploring the grounds, this castle is worth every mile of the drive.

Urquhart Castle is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave, and we can’t wait to...

Gorgeous views all around and lots to see! We didn't book tickets as we weren't sure of our arrival time and though it was quite crowded upon entry, many visitors left before we did so we managed to go round again and get more pictures with just us in them (we arrived around 3.45 pm). We had no issues parking even though it was quite busy. A family ticket cost us £34.50 for 2 adults and 2 under 15s. The castle website will give all admission prices. There is a short film you can watch at the visitor centre which gives an overview of the history of Urquhart Castle before you head through the giftshop (how sneaky!) to the castle grounds. There were information boards at every area of the castle and there was only 1 section cordoned off at the time of our visit which was the water gate but it was visible from another vantage point further on. There is a free audio tour tour can download to your mobile device or you can hire equipment from the ticket desk inside. The tour guides had lots of extra information and having some of them in costume was a great touch. The kids had fun watching all of the different types of boats on the loch from high up in the castle, as well as keeping an eye out for Nessie! The trebuchet was of particular interest to the youngest who tried hard to lift one of the projectiles! Also we spent some time at the shore by the docks where the tour boats were coming in and out. It was brilliant to see motibility scooters were available and supplied to people who needed them and that they could be driven through much of the outdoor area on specially built wooden pathways. They don't go through the castle itself but can offer a much closer view of the ruins, a lot of which is accessible only by sets of steps. The toilets in the cafe / giftshop were nice and clean which is always a bonus too! We had a picnic with us so we didn't buy anything from the cafe so I haven't any info on the prices unfortunately. We spent around 90 minutes here which we feel was worth...

Urquhart Castle stands tall above Loch Ness. I've always been fascinated by castle ruins and they have ignited my imagination. As soon as I arrived, I was captivated by the impressive view of the vast ruins of the castle rising above the blue surface of the loch. I entered through the ancient gate and walked among the remains of towers and walls, imagining life in the Middle Ages.

Fortunately, we're not in season here, because even now there are already huge numbers of people. Plus, when it starts raining every +-30 minutes, people tend to cluster in little places where they have something over their heads, lest they get wet. And there aren't that many of those little covered spots, so we enjoy the human warmth. Some tourists were just out of their minds and tried to remove some stones off the walls - "souvenires". There were "inconspicuous guards" in some places, directing people not to go there. But they didn't pay attention to these outgrowths who tried to destroy the walls.

The views from the tower were stunning – I could see all of Loch Ness and the surrounding highlands. I walked around the inner courtyard where the great hall and kitchens once stood. The information on the panels gave me a glimpse of the castle's turbulent history, from its creation in the 13th century to its destruction in the 17th century.

The whole visit was enhanced by the tranquil atmosphere of the lake, which contrasted with a history full of battles and intrigue. Urquhart Castle enchanted me with its formidable beauty and exceptional location on the legendary lake.

For future reference, we must remember to go to the car park with a ticket already purchased (online, beware of the signal, it is very sporadic). Otherwise, they won't even let us into the parking...