Best Things to Do in Fort Augustus, Loch Ness
Looking for the best things to do in Fort Augustus, Loch Ness? This quaint Highlands town is a regular stopover for us on our journey north — and a canal-side stopover worth popping into.
Written by: Lesley Stewart | August 2025
Fort Augustus is a small, scenic village perched at the southern tip of Loch Ness, halfway between Inverness and Fort William. While many travellers pause here only briefly (especially those on whistle-stop bus tours), it’s a rewarding place to linger for an hour or two.
A leafy, forest village, a handful of quaint cottages sprawl along the canal towpath, intersected by an old Victorian swing bridge that still operates to this day. This is a meeting point for the Caledonian Canal and the famous loch, which makes it one of the most picturesque (and accessible) viewpoints on the entire length of Loch Ness.
A few standout food spots, boutique stays, and boat trips combine to turn this short stop into something of a gem.
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Given its prime position on one of Scotland’s most popular routes and its brilliant amenities, during summer, Fort Augustus is a busy spot. Alongside neighbour Drumnadrochit, it’s a (compact) yet central hub on the Loch Ness road, and as such, heaps of travellers stop here every day, especially during peak summer.
That said, Fort Augustus is very much worth visiting because it’s one of the best places to see Loch Ness, there’s a handful of good places to eat, and the canal is a perfect opportunity to stretch your legs. We frequently stop here on our route to Inverness to split up the journey, grab a coffee, or an ice cream.
So, from a Highlands local, here’s what to do, where to eat, and how to make the most of your visit to Fort Augustus. Plus practical tips like where to park and how to get here at the bottom of the post.
Quick guide. Best Things To Do In Fort Augustus:
For those of you short on time, here’s a quick overview guide on how to spend a few hours in Fort Augustus (you’ll find the full details below:)
Best things to do:
Explore the banks of Loch Ness
Boat trip on Loch Ness
Walk the canal towpath
Lunch in a local cafe
Afternoon tea in The Lovat
Ice cream from Black Isle Dairy
Views from the swing bridge
Cycle (or walk) the Great Glen Way
This post is part of our Scottish Highlands Road Trip series, which helps travellers plan scenic, slow-paced routes through the best of northern Scotland. For more ideas, maps, and planning tips, start here with our Highlands resources.
Travel tip: The best way to explore Scotland is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our car rental in Scotland, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
Where to eat in Fort Augustus
Probably the question I’m asked most is where to eat in Fort Augustus! The village does casual food very well, though there are a few tourist traps to avoid. The best options are:
Ripples Tearoom: A cosy, traditional cafe that’s perfect for soup, scones (I can confirm these are delicious), big pots of tea, or a lighter lunch. It has indoor seating and outdoor tables that overlook the water, ideal for sunny days.
Delightfulness Deli: A newer addition that leans more towards takeaway, with quality coffee, sandwiches, baked goods, and picnic bits to go. You can eat on the canal-side benches or take your food on the walk down to the loch.
Highland Hideout: A short walk from the main canal area, this tucked-away cafe is the best option if you’re looking for bigger plates and a sit-down meal like burgers, filled baguettes, and fish & chips.
Black Isle Dairy: Delicious, handmade Highland ice cream from local Black Isle Dairy. I could (and do) rave about their flavours to anyone who’ll listen. Find it inside the Caledonian Canal Centre; there’s also tea, coffee, and juice and an outdoor terrace.
The Lovat: This stylish hotel sits in a quiet corner of the village and serves an elevated tasting menu focusing on local, foraged and home-grown ingredients that highlight the Highland larder from both land and sea. Open to non-residents, be sure to book in advance for afternoon tea and dinner.
Complete Guide To Fort Augustus
If I haven’t made it clear already, let me reiterate - Fort Augustus is compact! There are no major sights or attractions, so it’s not necessarily a destination in its own right. However, there are a handful of great things to see and do, which make Fort Augustus a solid stop on a Highlands road trip:
Walk the Towpath for Iconic Loch Ness Views
Start your visit with a short, easy walk that delivers one of the best views in the area. From the centre of town, simply follow the canal towpath heading north, away from the swing bridge but towards the water. In just a few minutes, you’ll reach the southern shore of Loch Ness.
The view opens out dramatically, giving you a panoramic perspective of the water framed by mountains—and unlike many of the more popular viewpoints, this one often feels quiet and personal. There’s a little rocky beach hidden amongst the trees and picnic benches, ideal for your takeaway lunch.
A must-visit in Fort Augustus and one of my favourite spots around Loch Ness.
Book Cruise Loch Ness Boat Tours
If you’ve ever dreamt of cruising across Loch Ness, this is your chance. Cruise Loch Ness offers one-hour boat tours that depart directly from Fort Augustus. The trips run year-round (though more frequently in summer), and the “daily discovery” cruise costs £21 per adult and £14 per child.
The experience is much more than just scenery, and it includes fascinating local history, legends about the loch (yes, including Nessie), and the chance to see the Highlands from a different perspective. Even in cloudy weather, it’s brilliant. Alternatively, you can choose a fast RIB option or an evening cruise (both seasonal).
Although you can buy tickets at the office, I recommend booking in advance. Especially in peak season, when these cruises are extremely popular and often sell out. Check times and book here.
Ice Cream at the Caledonian Canal Centre
Right by the swing bridge, the Caledonian Canal Centre is more than just a tourist information point. It’s home to Black Isle Dairy Ice Cream, which is worth the stop alone—locally made, creamy, and served in generous scoops. You’ll also find clean toilets, a small gift shop, historical displays, and benches where you can sit and watch the boats navigate the locks.
Don’t Miss the Swing Bridge & Canal Walk
While most visitors head straight to Loch Ness (and I don’t blame you), it’s well worth crossing the historic Thomas Telford Swing Bridge and wandering in the opposite direction, up the canal towpath.
Even if you’re here to see Highland landscapes, the canal itself is an impressive piece of engineering.
This gentle waterside walk takes you past a string of working locks, a few charming old cottages, buzzy cafes, and often a flurry of activity if a boat is making its way through. Watching the locks open and close is genuinely fascinating!
Explore the Great Glen by Bike
If you’d like to stretch your legs a little further, Erraid Bike Hire in Fort Augustus is a brilliant option. We haven’t personally hired a bike here, but this locally run business is highly rated and offers bike rentals and easy access to the Great Glen Way.
The long-distance trail follows the canal through spectacular Highland scenery, and it’s ideal for a few hours of peaceful pedalling, whether you're heading north toward Loch Oich or simply pottering along the towpaths. Cycle as far as you like, and retrace your steps back to Fort Augustus.
How To Visit Fort Augustus
By car: You’ll find Fort Augustus on the A82. This road connects Inverness with Fort William (and south to Glasgow), with detours to the Isle of Skye. If you’re visiting Fort Augustus by car, there are two parking options (you’ll find them pinned in my map): the huge paid parking in the centre of town. And a smaller, free car park is a short 10-minute walk up the hill. I prefer the latter option as it’s much quieter - the big car park can be chaotic!
By bus: The Citylink 919 service stops at Fort Augustus on its journey between Fort William and Inverness.
By tour: Fort Augustus is a standard stop on most Edinburgh / Highlands tours.
Where to Next?
Fort Augustus is the perfect midway point between some of the Highlands’ biggest highlights. If you’re continuing north or south, don’t miss our guides to nearby stops: Drumnadrochit (home to Urquhart Castle and some lovely woodland walks), Inverness (the capital of the Highlands, with river walks, cosy pubs, and a lively music scene), and Fort William (your base for Ben Nevis hikes, Glenfinnan Viaduct views, and boat trips.)
Finally, if you have any questions about the destination above or would like to find out more about a custom Scotland itinerary, get in touch!
Lesley x
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