Firt class ice cream shop / sit in. An amazing choice of Ice cream and desserts tucked away on the lovely village of Portsoy. An incredible array of flavours and toppings. Bubble waffle seems to be a popular choice in my family. I total recommend a visit , I will be returning.

Really nice place. Large variety of ice cream ,waffles etc. Good coffee. Friendly staff. Clean.

Great ice cream shop on the main street opposite the bakers and the church, which has a low wall and handy benches to sit on when eating your ice cream. Just watch out for the gulls! Make sure you head down to the Quay side, it is a very lovely location.

Never miss this place if you are in Portsoy.Best icecreams and sorbet bowls. Tried 3 scoops bowl of lotus biscoff, strawberry and cookies andcream. And a sorbet bowl with nuts and coconut bits and banana and raspberry with hot milk chocolates sauce. If sugar wasn't that diabetic I could eat this everyday 😍

Delicious ice cream with all the delights! We also bought a souvenir made from local driftwood to bring home.

Very busy. Queues likely to be long. The options and quality are amazing. It’s worth the wait, you’re not rushed. The area around is amazing too, close to a park so the kids can enjoy after all that ice cream! There is also plenty of free parking around the area.

Travelled a long way for this. Has been highly recommended. Great choices and was absolutely buzzing. Was very popular. Good value and tasty ice cream. Would recommend trying the cinnamon bun with ice cream in the middle 👌

A car park big enough for over 6 vehicles. Short walk to entrance building with small shop selling gifts and treats. Entrance fee payable. The castle is big and an outhouse also exists to explore. The main castle has some restrictions to access and intricate details have been protected from the weather. Still an impressive size with prison, cellars, great hall, kitchen, bedrooms etc. Outside is a building with a bakery and a brew house. Part of the original medieval road exists just outside.

The castle ruins is incredible. The size is quite impressive, between the cellars, the prison, the living rooms and the different rooms you will spent 1h . All the explanations are really good, the story of it is fascinant. Highly recommanded.

Went first thing it opened, the older gentleman we chated with inside the castle was super happy to be there, he felt like a personal tour guide and you could tell he loved what he was doing.

this is a wonderful castle ruins and so definitely worth a visit...the site is home to a number of castles during its history ...a medieval road lays next to the current ruin as well ...Once a magnificent, sumptuous and ornate building, Huntly Castle is a large and ruinous old stronghold and palace in a pretty wooded location, long the seat of the powerful Gordon Earls and Marquises of Huntly and with a long and violent history, just north of the Aberdeenshire town of Huntly.

Huntly castle is a must see castle whilst visiting aberdeenshire for all its a ruin there is still allot to see and you can use your imagination to fill in the blanks. There is a well stocked shop that sells everything from books to souvenirs to fridge magnets the people who run the site are very friendly and welcoming and happy to answer any question that you might have. There is decent parking next to the castle so no issues there also toilets are avaliable. The views from on top of Huntly castle are well worth the effort. 10/10

A very beautiful Castle, I spent hours exploring and there are beautiful walks and praks in the surrounding area. A fantastic day out. 🤩🤩

I visited on a rainy day, just as it opened. I was fortunate enough to get a guided tour from Gordon - and he was brilliant! So knowledgeable. It's great value for money as well. I spent nearly two hours there and it went very quickly.

Beautiful & Legendary Distillery We decided to visit Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, as we were visiting the nearby Balvenie castle. We really enjoyed it and thought this place was great. It looks the part, a bit Victorian a bit Scottish, it is really nice & well maintained. I have know this Whisky my whole life, even living in Switzerland, somehow it was always in the bars, clubs I was going to. I imagined it would of been a larger and more industrial place. I was happy to see it was more normal, smaller, etc. This is somewhat in the heart of Speyside's whisky region do visit if you can! The tour (like most of them in Scotland explains the production and making process, of whisky. Really worth your time and highly recommended from us. Note they also have a great shop and bar.

Had my first-ever distillery tour at Glenfiddich! Our guide was hilarious! super engaging and very informative 😂 The place itself is absolutely stunning and filled with history. The whisky tasting was alright, but it was still really fun to learn the story behind the drinks. Such an interesting and memorable experience!

Our tour guide was super knowledgeable, friendly, always stopped to ask us if we had any questions, and took his time with us and didn’t rush things along. The tasting room was super nice, very exclusive feeling, and there were only a handful of us on the tour together, so it felt very personal. 100% recommend.

Unforgettable Tasting Experience The Glenfiddich 1990 and 1992 Sherry Oak casks are hands down the best whiskies I’ve ever tasted, truly exceptional! Deep, rich, and perfectly balanced. A standout moment in an already fantastic tasting.

We were passing the Glenfiddich Distillery when we met a very friendly security guard. He invited us to have a look around so we did. All the tours were booked up. We chatted with various people and visited the shop which was very busy. Next time we visit we might book a tour and that would give a better understanding of this very popular industry.

Of course, Glenfiddich isn't exactly an insider tip. But the tour of the distillery is unparalleled—and we experienced many on our tour. Glenfiddich is one of the gold standards when it comes to Scottish whisky and shows that even a large distillery can impress with individuality and quality.

Visiting the iconic Glenfiddich Distillery near Dufftown, the heart of Speyside's whisky region, is a must. The tour offers a fascinating glimpse into their whisky-making process, from mashing to maturation. Tasting their renowned single malts is a highlight. While it can be busy, the chance to experience this Speyside icon and learn about their family history and innovative techniques is well worth it for any whisky lover in the area. The visitor center and shop are excellent too.

Very nice ruin. Well maintained. Very nice staff at main entrance who gave us a snippet of what to see and expect. Lovely view of Elgin from the top. The stairs up were well maintained, not too narrow, not a hard climb either. I do recommend. We used explorer pass to enter.

Signed up for annual Historic Scotland pass. Visited the cathedral while touring the Moray Firth area. Found the site to be well kept with loads of informative information on it's history. Staff were great and answered my questions. Recommend

remarkable abbey ruin ...would've been amazing to see in its day as what's left is looks pretty amazing ...lots carvings as well. . Even as a ruin, the cathedral shines out as one of Scotland's most ambitious and beautiful medieval buildings. Begun in 1224, Elgin was the principal church of the bishops of Moray. It lost its roof shortly after the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and later its central tower fell.

We visited Elgin Cathedral today and absolutely loved our experience. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and to our delight, we were even allowed to bring our dogs with us onto the beautiful grounds. That made the visit extra special and unforgettable for us. We are so grateful for this wonderful experience!

Hauntingly evocative ruins in stone. Curated exhibitions in the surviving snd partially restored towers add to appreciation of the time and place when Elgin was an active cathedral. The decorative stone sculptures are unique surviving treasures; some are whimsical and others are quite skillfully made. There is a nearby parking lot for easy access.

This cathedral ruin was awesome, I really enjoyed walking around this place, reading all the information boards, seeing all the old stone work, and fragments. You have a great view over the entire area from the top of the tower. There are steep spiral stairs, but well worth the climb. £11 entry per adult.

Absolutely fantastic place to visit, with so much history and so much of the building to see, you could literally stay an entire day. Also home to Scotlands tallest gravestone, at over 5 meters long!

A Fantastic Experience at The Glenlivet! Our visit to The Glenlivet was absolutely wonderful! The distillery itself is stunning — surrounded by breathtaking scenery and beautifully maintained inside and out. Our tour guide, Caitlynn, made the experience even better. She was fun, friendly, and incredibly informative, sharing the history and process behind The Glenlivet with great enthusiasm. It was the perfect balance of education and enjoyment. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Speyside!

Wow, what a beautiful distillery and tasting room. We came in to the distillery while we were out hiking the Drumin Castle Circuit, which is the same hike as the George Smith Smugglers Trail, except for the starting point as the Smugglers Trail starts at the distillery. We had tastings, and my hen and I also had margaritas made with the Caribbean Reserve. Our tasting consisted of very generous pours of the Captain's Reserve, Caribbean Reserve and 15 years of age single malt scotch whisky. Honestly we were not too keen on any of them. I would say we may had needed to push on and try some more until we found the one to our liking, but we needed to finish our hike. If we had drank anymore I sure we would had crawled instead of walk the rest of the trail 😂 We did very much enjoyed the margaritas, but I think we will just keep using tequila instead of the Caribbean Reserve, as it cost £30 for a 70 cl bottle. We would like to thank the Glenlivet Estate and The Glenlivet Distillery staff for their wonderful hospitality as we had a grand time!

Wonderful tour, our tour guide (Jamie) has been wonderful. The tour itself it is a combination of a beautifully made visual experience, walk through the distillery, and whisky tasting. All in all a very nice way to get to know the Glenlivet even better.

We had an amazing time at The Glenlivet Distillery, Ross was an outstanding guide! He was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and made the whole experience both educational and fun. The history, the behind-the-scenes look at the whisky-making process, and of course, the tasting, absolutely top-notch. If you're visiting Speyside, this tour is a must. Thanks, Ross!

Had an awesome time at The Glenlivet Distillery! The tour isn’t as pricey as some others, but it’s packed with history and fun facts about both the brand and Scotch whisky in general. You get to try three whiskies at the end — the 12, 14, and 16-year-old — which is a nice change from the usual 12, 15, and 18. They also give you a 10% discount voucher for any whisky purchase, and you can sample more before you buy. Great whisky, great value, and a really enjoyable.

Although we didn’t get to join the tour, we were totally impressed by the place! The bar was exceptionally nice, and the staff were so sweet and welcoming. We picked up a few souvenirs on our way out and hopefully, we’ll get to try the tour next time!

During my visit to Scotland I wanted to have a whiskey tasting experience and I was thrilled to see the Glenlivet distillery was couple ours away from the place I stayed as Glenlivet is one of my favorite whiskeys. The day I had booked I was running late and called them and asked can they accommodate me and my friends for a later tour. Even it was clearly said they would not be able to reschedule for later time, in the booking details, they told me they will try their best to include me in a later tour as I mentioned I was visiting all the way from New York. Now for the tour I should mention, Amber was really welcoming, knowledgeable and very pleasant the way she interact with guests. Thanks Amber. The Distillery itself sits in a nice estate with beautiful surroundings. Inside the building is modern with a nice waiting area a bar and a store. Although they could improve the variety of merch they have in the store, they have decent offerings.

On my way to visit the Balmoral Castle, I was recommended to see this place for tasting. As you recognise, this place has got “royal” title which is quite rare among the distilleries. Once I stepped in, the staff was amazing and very helpful. I ve also got nice tricks for tasting a scotch and my point of view to whiskey is totally positively changed. I know what I am not supposed to do while drinking scotch anymore ☺️ Thanks everyone there

Visiting Royal Lochnagar Distillery was an absolute highlight of our trip. The distillery is charming, beautifully located, and rich in history. The tour was very well organized, with clear explanations of the whisky-making process and a welcoming atmosphere throughout. We especially appreciated how everything was presented with such detail and passion, which made the experience both educational and enjoyable. Stuart, our guide, was excellent and added to the overall quality of the visit. A must-see for anyone interested in Scotch whisky and Scottish heritage!

Hung out with Stuart (guide) here for an afternoon. Wonderfully self-deprecating humor, he had. Lovely walk from the castle nearby and you get 15% off if you show your castle ticket. Incredibly mild, but still complex whiskies. Great old distillery with lots of history, exposed stone and wood. I think I’ll have another.

Phenomenal experience learning about whiskey and sampled excellent batches! If you love whiskey I highly recommend. Our guide Marie was fantastic!

Very nice small batch distillery that offers a nice tour and tastings experience. Bar and restaurant on site. Staff is informative and very friendly.

It was great experience, small distillery, really cozy and visit is highly personalized. We made the tour with Dave, wonderful guy

Our distillery tour guide, Annie, was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. Nice but small gift shop, free parking, clean bathrooms, and we enjoyed trying their products in their tasting room.

Such a wonderful experience to walk around the grounds and view the Castle. It was so beautiful. The Restaurant was amazing with excellent quality food. The Shop was beautifully stocked and the displays where awesome. Just a fantastic experience ✨️ Thank You

Had a guided tour, loved it but would have liked to see more. Everyone very friendly and knowledgeable. Well worth the snowy drive.

I enjoyed my visit and it was very interesting to see all the new planting taking place, especially the trees and maze. You do need to go when the weather is fine because there would be few places to shelter in the rain. I would recommend asking for an audible guide. This wasn't offered when I purchased my ticket and I believe it would have made my experience more interesting.

Lovely to see where Royal Family live during various times of year,even though not able to go in Castle!Cafe beautiful,but sadly sat outside in cold with our dog in snow blizzard!No dogs allowed. Shop beautiful and Shop Manager very helpful.

I have a special attachment to this castle since my grandmother and grandfather worked and met. I brought my grandson here to show him. The grounds are large, and the gardens are well maintained. We were only allowed into the ballroom, but that was impressive. There is a restaurant where you can have tea or lunch. I was surprised on how good the food was and how reasonable the price was.

Very quiet and tranquil place to visit. The grounds are extremely well presented and amazing views. Only 1 room which was a hall you visit which had an interesting display for the history of the castle. There are nice walks around the castle and on site cafe. It's a long drive to get there but great day out.

A wonderful experience at Balmoral Castle—worth the visit even without the full tour! Our visit to Balmoral Castle was memorable, even though the full interior tour was already sold out—which, we later learned, is common as those tickets often sell out months in advance. If you’re hoping for the full experience, definitely book well ahead. That said, the general access ticket still offers a great visit. We purchased ours in advance and had no issues. With this ticket, you can explore the beautifully maintained gardens, the expansive grounds, and the only room inside the castle open to the public—the grand ballroom. The ballroom alone is worth the visit. It’s the only part of the residence available for viewing, but it’s rich with royal memorabilia, including family portraits, historic artifacts, and displays highlighting the connection between Balmoral and the British Royal Family. It gives you a glimpse into the private life of the estate. The grounds and gardens are peaceful and impressive, with stunning views of the surrounding hills and woodlands. There are walking trails you can take around the estate, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and offer background on the property. The overall setting is magnificent—Balmoral is nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, and the combination of royal history and natural beauty makes it a special stop. Even without the full tour, it’s a rewarding experience. Just being on the estate gives you a sense of the tranquility and grandeur the royal family must enjoy here.

We went here for the play gardens and found out there's a soft play for the really little ones. The play gardens are lovely and well kept as you would expect. We spent about an hour going round and having fun, though there wasn't as many activities as I'd been led to believe. However I was surprised to be told the cafe has a soft play (for children under 110cm in height). When we went in it's really aimed at under 5s I'd say. It was perfect for my little one. She enjoyed this more than the play gardens. I should add that wherever I read the info for the gardens made it out to be free. While you don't pay as such to get in, the amount you pay when parking depends on what area of the estate you are visiting. If you wish to visit the castle grounds (which includes the play gardens) it's £5 for the day (per car). Adding the castle costs a little extra. Note: it's free for those with National Trust memberships. I had no issues paying this, but it came a little unexpected and thought I should mention it here in case it was important to someone else. Something to mention is that the staff who we came into contact at various points were all very polite, friendly and welcoming and offered guidance and assistance where needed.

We visited Brodie Castle this Sunday and had an amazing time! It’s dog-friendly, which is a huge bonus — we were able to enjoy the day with our 10-year-old Lab. The gardens were truly inspirational. I especially loved the extended meadow areas and the large vegetable garden with an orchard. All of the play areas were well-kept, clean, and safe. There’s something for all ages — from 8 to 45! The staff were very friendly and welcoming. Access to the gardens and play areas is free, and we only paid £5 for parking, which is a small price considering the number of attractions on offer. Highly recommended, especially in good weather! We’ll definitely be back!

A lovely historic building that was brought to life as a former family home by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our charismatic tour guide. Good facilities including two small and reasonably priced cafés (lunch of soup, oatcakes, cake and pot of tea cost about £10.40). Lovely grounds to explore and a children's play garden that was clearly being enjoyed. I visited on an October week day and it was not busy, a pleasantly comfortable and unhurried 3-4 hour visit.

We really like Brodie Castle. Our tour guide was new, but exceptional and she really added to our experience. The outside had some beautiful walking trails and we loved the huge beech tree. There were no formal gardens, but the children’s garden was so creative and really well done. If you have children, I’d highly recommend a stop here. The children’s garden was very well planned and the best we’d seen!

Visited the gardens and cafe . Staff all helpful and friendly. Two nice cafes with lovely cakes. spent a whole afternoon in the gardens and play parks. Children and adults enjoyed the play garden especially the musical areas. The big bunny was great to see. Children did the sheet to find the white rabbits and fill in the names, great idea to involve children. We didn't walk round all the areas so would certainly return.

If you have never been to a Scotish Castle I recommend Brodie Castle. Why? It is in the countryside away from traffic with plenty of parking. There is a very well organized tour with plenty of time to ask questions without feeling pressured. Several cafes are on the grounds with picnic tables to enjoy a lunch or snack. There is a playground for children. There are trails through the woods to follow . Clean bathrooms are on-site.

Lovely castle and estate to have an adventure in. Nice walks and plenty to do for children. Large parking area with a charge of £5. Entry to castle was £16 for adults and £9 for children. You couldn't go here and not bother with the castle tour and still have a great time. There is also a cafe with an indoor soft play also.

Gandalf must have walked up at some point and commanded the rocks to form into a nice staircase for a good chunk of the route. Well done Gandalf. One has to pass the skeletal remains of spidery ski lifts and snow machines, which looks absurd in the warmer months, but once above these there's a sense of some wildness (apart from Gandalf's DIY obvs). 10/10

Nice summit to climb (1250m) ! About 600m of difference with the starting point ! The climb is easy, can be done in family. If you want more, you can make a bigger loop going through the « Northern corries »

Spectacular hike here from Ben Macdui. Stunning and I really hope to be back for another go in the future

Disappointing- not even a KFC or Mac Donald’s, could take a tip a from Snowdon and get a train or bus to the summit. Shopping malls virtually non existent, weather was bad too! Otherwise great!

Absolutely magnificent. My daughter and I spent an incredibly breathtaking day there. The scenery is the stuff postcards are made of. Love ut and didn't want to leave. Thank you Scotland😘

for my outdoorsy brethren do not miss this spot while in Scotland.

I went up this as a teenager and 40 years later I'm trying to locate where Dad's slides were taken and it is NOT HELPED by this pin and the associated photosphere being on the wrong summit. Make sure you use a reputable map and don't just rely on your phone.

Fun and good with kids - won't hold the all day but half or a bit more. Queues at peak time can see you wait anywhere from 10 to over 30 minutes - especially for the main attractions (water slides...). While there are multiple things to see and do, we felt we were coming back to a couple mainly, trying to balance queues waiting time and value! Few fast food stands with the quality you would expect from this type of place - nothing gastro of course!

A bit expensive but with the money. Great fun for the whole family. You can easily spend whole day there having fun on various attractions. Always book your ticket in advance online for a nice discount.

This was the first of many activities we booked before arriving to stay in Aviemore and what a great place to start off our holiday. Fun activities for kids and grown ups alike, I personally went out of my comfort zone and did the high ropes, having never done anything like that before it really tested me but so glad I did it, my daughter even did the skydive and showed great bravery

Landmark Forest Adventure Park is a fantastic day out for families! The panoramic views from the treetop tower are absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping forests and Highland mountains as far as the eye can see. The Cairngorms lookout point is both scenic and informative. Our kids had an amazing time, especially enjoying the water slide and the climbing facilities, which were safe, exciting, and well-designed. We also loved spotting butterflies in the tropical area. Beautifully maintained, fun, and full of natural beauty. Highly recommended for all ages.

Nestled in the forest, this Adventure Park is brilliant, we came just as the local schools went back which meant there were no queues at all. There is so much to do and explore as well as some really good activities. My 3 year old has told us it's his favourite place now thanks to the water slides. Great for all ages!

Went with husband, you defenetly do not need children to enjoy an adventure and to go out your comfort zone. Staff were friendly, loads to do with or without children. Beautiful grounds, informative information especially about dinosaurs 🦕 my husband especially enjoyed the water ride and the bid trampoline. Butterfly 🦋 house has lots of other interesting things, defenetly worth a visit for young and old with or without children.

A truly exceptional experience - the best amusement park in Scotland. Even standing on its own, the amusement park is incredible; however, once you couple that with the nature interwoven within, it is taken to a whole new level. FIVE STARS! COULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE MORE!

The story of Fort George is very interesting as you wander around the largely deserted camp. It is truly caught in a time warp with hints of the modern British Army thrown in for fine measure. Its palpable as you walk into the camp across the bridge. You sense what it must have been like for troops about to undergo training. There are toilets on site. There is also a very fine cafe. The staff are very welcoming. The cafe was spotless. The museum on site is run by dedicated people who really know all there is to know about the site and it's history. They are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The items on display in the museum are exceptional and a lot of thought has gone into the layout. There is also a couple of gift shops on the site. Both offering items you would expect to find.

I TOTALLY LOVED FORT GEORGE!!! 🏰🐬. We visited Fort George on a Sunday, it was quite busy but we didn't have to wait long to buy our tickets, which were reasonably priced, £10-£11 for adults, £8-£9 concessions, and roughly £6 for kids. My mum is a carer for my dad so she got in for free. The Fort itself is massive, around the same size as 40 football fields. It is a star fort built in 1748 so it's steeped in military history. When you buy your ticket you are given a wee machine and a map with all the areas numbered, you type the number of an area into the machine and it plays, telling you all about that part of the Fort, it was very interesting. There are loads of little rooms you can go into that shows what it was like for soldiers years ago, there is also a cinema that you can sit in and watch the film. There is a cafe inside the fort which serves nice coffee. I liked how it is still a working barracks with soldiers living there. You can walk right up to the edge of the star fort and look out to the water, dolphins 🐬 can be seen sometimes but we didn't see any. I loved the big cannons, they were on track so they could be moved round in a half circle. I loved Fort George and I'm definitely glad we visited, well worth seeing, such an interesting place.

Beautiful place! The highlander museum was super interesting, lots of military history and the staff was amazing! You can also catch the dolphins that come out sometimes in the afternoon if you stand by the canons at the top of the fort! A must experience!

We popped in at around 4pm, they did prewarn us that we wouldn’t be able to get round it all, but we were more than welcome inside! We are so glad we did! In the museum a gentleman gave us a wonderful walk through of what they had going on inside! The grounds were to so clean and really well maintained! We will definitely be visiting again🥰 We even saw some little birds nesting 😍

What an incredible Fort. Massive and in fabulous condition. Current military barracks combined with beautiful tourist attraction. We got to see it & The Moray Firth on a lovely sunny September day, but it would have equally spectacular whatever the weather.

This was one of my favorite tourist visit. Make sure to visit at least 3,4 hours earlier vefore closing time if you like to explore in depth. Adult ticket price is £11 with vat and they will provide audio guide if you prefer to have. There is a big parking area able to park more than 30 cars at a time.

We discovered Fort George whilst visiting the highlands. We were immediately interested in visiting due to the military history. Upon arriving, we were warmly greeted and invited into the main office to buy tickets, and then offered a place on the free tour, with a man called Peter. He was extremely informative and friendly, and we learnt so much about Fort George and its history. My favourite thing that I learnt was regarding the history behind the stag and the Seaforth Highlanders. Their gift shop was also steeped in Scottish history, and had everything from magnets and souvenirs, to whiskey and guide books. We had a fantastic time exploring the grounds, and would highly recommend a visit!

Very disappointed to read that this distillery is closed to visitors for the whole of 2025. It also seems (from a quick internet search) that they have not opened since Covid ! Brown signs for tourists are still displayed. Surely these should be taken down if they do not intend re-opening to the public.

A wonderful distillery. Obvious that lots of investment has taken place to enhance the visit experience whilst maintaining the charm. Excellent tour and shop a must see if your in this part of Scotland We've been lots of times and will continue to visit, it's such a fab place.

Without a doubt one of the best Distillery tours in Scotland. Angie our guide was not only very knowledgeable shone through, adding an extra level to the tour, that you simply do not get elsewhere. Visiting the barrel store room and being able to literally smell the Angel's share was a great treat.

Had a very informative and interesting tour in the smallest whisky destillery in Scotland. Can definitely highly recommend this place, very well trained and lovely staff to show us around and patiently explain every step in the process of whisky making, which, compared to bigger and more commercial places, are still visible.

Fantastic tour, great staff and guides with awesome whisky and the best cream liqueur around! Just visited for the second time, our guide Ian was fantastic and the Signature Whiskies are a must from the tasting bar!

To get here you will encounter some very narrow streets and it might seem a road to nowhere...but keep going, it is right around the corner. Scotland's only Single Malt Distillery that works the old fashioned way. The tour was very informative and our guide a true bard, he told the stories around this distillery with so much passion and eloquence, it was a joy to listen. And the tasting wasn't shabby either 😁. It is more than worth your time.

The personalized tour, the tasting of multiple products, and the surrounding area of this distillery all make it a must-see for anyone looking for an authentic Scottish distillery experience. Highly recommended!

Such an amazing place. The museum is so interesting, a valuable token of history. I came because I wanted to know more of this famous battle but was amazed to see how much they respected the place, created a whole area to show how the battle really happened. The museum itself gives many valuable information about the battle with numerous activities

After making our way through the entrance museum, we came out on this huge, lush field. It was hard to believe that so many people died on this field, and our guide helped us to understand the breadth and scale of the effects of this battle. To think what might have happened if the battle had gone a different way, but that is for a different person to tell. Overall, the area was pretty traversable by wheelchair, though some places it did get a bit bumpy. Also, our guide was excellent at helping to take the group on the smoothest places.

What an experience. Fascinating and sobering. The visitor centre provides superb context of the events that lead up to the battle and the battle itself. We took the guided tour of the battlefield and we’re glad we did. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and brought the events to life as we stood in the exact places that the events she so vividly described actually took place. The tour comes highly recommended from us. I would not hesitate to thoroughly recommend this place as a must see.

Last time I was here was in the 70s so big changes Cafe very nice. Guides were very knowledgeable. Well laid out paths with notices telling you the position of the 2 armies Graves had the clan names on them. Big carpark, cost me nothing as I am a national trust member. T

We visited the Culloden Battlefield, a historic and iconic site, during our trip to Inverness, Scotland. Having watched all the seasons of Outlander Series, we were very excited to visit as well as the other tourists in our Bus. It signifies the site where a pitched battle was fought in 1746, between the Jacobite Army under Prince Charlie who lost over 1500 soldiers and the Duke of Cumberland’s government forces. It is well documented and preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. The tourist attraction today consists of the Battlefield with the grave stones, Leanach Cottage, Visitor Center housing historical artefacts, film shows and a Memorial. A memorable visit.

This is a really captivating historical site. Give yourself some time to explore the visitor’s center and walk the battlefield. There are plenty of historical markings to help you understand how the battle was carried out.

It’s a shame that the brave Jacobites followed the Bonnie Prince Charlie as they had no rest after getting lost on their night march before being massacred by the government forces. This is indeed hollow ground. The cafeteria, displays and movie are well done. Bathroom was clean. I really enjoyed the Hairy coos within the field next to the battlefield.

Amazing place for a whole family. All the enclosures are tidy and animals are well fed and clean. The place is run by people dedicated to their mission and loving animals. Had a great day by spotting wee wild cats and monkeys, tigers, wolves, camels, horses, leopards and a wolverine.

I had an incredible Tiger Experience. This was purchased as a gift so didn't really know what to expect. There was only one other person doing the Experience at the same time. We were given a H&S briefing before being allowed to feed the tigers, through the fence. It was incredible to be so close to such majestic creatures. The keepers were super informative, kind enough to take photos and allowed us to ask lots of questions. The Experience may only have lasted half an hour but I would highly recommend, if you want to get close to these amazing animals. The rest of the park is worth seeing too although you need to be quite fit and able to get around the walking part of the park. Nice cafe and facilities on site too. We arrived around 1.30pm and it wasn't busy at all.

What a wonderful day out. Right from the start when paying in the lovely gentleman who was at the booth was so lovely chatty and friendly. A genuinely pleasant and welcoming beginning he is a credit to the park as was any of the staff we met. We were so lucky to get to see every animal there. The wolfs were what we mainly went for and were not disappointed they were so close and they were having a sleep right at the fence of the walkway it was a great experience. We were so lucky with timing with the big cats also. The enclosures were clean and looked to be very well maintained. The animals looked to be in great condition and did not appear to be stressed at all which is lovely to see. We found the park to be well set out and had plenty of time to get round all the enclosures, have a bite to eat and a play in the playpark before closing time and we didn't arrive till 12. I highly recommend a day out here a great day for anyone of any age.

Probably my favourite zoo in the UK that we have been to. The safari is stunning with the views and the animals have plenty of room to roam about and it feels like they are in there own environment. The zoo doesn't seem to get too busy either so it doesn't spoil the views with cars being everywhere. The main zoo is a good walk aswell with good enclosures for all the animals. Some steep hills and only really recommend the mobility scooters on site for the inclines

Thoroughly enjoyed by kids. had lots of fun. Got to see variety of animals very closely. Both pandas, snow leopard, 3 tigers. Walking the trail of caterpillar was also funny. My kids loved it.

A beautiful place with well kept animals in large enclosures. Incredible scenery and activities for all ages. Fantastic play park and the education centre is a marvel with facts and interactive games. There were huts for kids to learn about animals and the world. Loved the Scottish folklore and the lessons we are taught from them to respect nature. Excellent facilities and great we were able to have our picnic in a beautiful sheltered tent. Cafe was busy but coffee lovely. We are members and just love supporting RZSS and all they do.

What an amazing experience. Great selection of animals which were active due to thought out enclosures. Cafe was busy and provides lovely coffee which is worth the wait. Ample parking and the staff we interacted with were wonderful. Shout out to the gent at the entrance before the ticket booths. Really helped us as we were using Marwell Passes. Extra special thank you!

We had a fantastic experience at Blair Castle, the castle and gardens were all absolutely stunning and well maintained. The castle one way system really helped to see everything and it was well curated, each room highlighting a limited time period or individual family member. The gardens, especially the shady forest area, looked incredible on a blazing hot day. Walking under the massive trees to the sound of the piper was atmospheric to say the least. Well worth the price to help maintain this magnificent place.

I don’t know how we’ve missed this place on past trips. It’s incredible. We only did the grounds and could have easily spent a day just on the grounds. The tall trees are breathtaking. The garden was still interesting, even though it’s starting to head into dormancy. You truly need a few hours to really explore everything. There is a nice children’s play area too. We will definitely plan for a full day there on our next trip!

We went here for the Highland Games in May 2025. It was a fantastic venue. The crowds were awesome. The castle army is the only one left in the United Kingdom. They were amazing. Their band, uniforms, and professionalism were amazing. Beautiful castle with the Highland mountains surrounding it. It’s a beautiful place.

We very much enjoyed the Blair castle. It was a little bit of a walk from the parking lot to the castle but it was well worth it. The inside of the castle was completely furnished and had people in rooms that could tell you about its contents and the people that once lived there. The gardens were Immaculate and beautiful.

Blair castle is a lovely place, you self tour the castle. There is highland coo's, deer, adventure playground, cafe, toilets , plenty of parking, piper plays on the hour, deer feeding at 12:30 and 14:30, lots of walks , lovely gardens and sculpture trail , staff very helpful and pleasant .

Came here with our English Bulldog to spend a nice afternoon. And indeed we did. The earliest known part of the present castle dates from 1269. In 1740 the 2nd Duke began his transformation of the medieval castle into a Georgian house. A remodel to the exterior of the castle happened in the 1860s/70s. Later on architects Jamie Troughton and Hugh Broughton constructed a new exhibition hall known as the Banvie Hall. And that's now how the Castle stands here until today. We did book the admission to the Park and Grounds online and saved some money. There were a good number of visitors, but no problem finding a parking space - there's plenty of it only a short stroll from the castle. Admission with 9.50£ was a very fair deal. We were just in time to listen to the bagpipes, which were played hourly (until a certain time). Very nice - we love bagpipes. And to sit there on the bench, listening and with the Blair Castle in the background was just a wonderful moment. Then we went to the Deer Park, watching the wildlife. Then through the woods and Diana's Grove. A nice trail through the forest, with some nice creeks and a beautiful little bridge. Then onto St. Bride's Kirk. From there to the Blair Castle Gardens. Then back again to the Castle. Suprisingly few visitors along the paths. Really wonderful grounds here. Nice walks - nice nature and landscape. The Castle is pretty and the park offers nice ways and paths to spend some hours here. Also of course a restaurant, a shop, a nice playground and toilets. We really had a great time here. Dogs allowed on the grounds was a great thing. A real good visit, well worth the fair-priced admission.

Lovely castle where dukes and dignitaries would meet in times gone by. Beautiful architecture. Fully of history. There is so much to see inside and outside. Feeding the red deer and seeing Highland coos up close was special. I can recommend it for either half a day or a.whole day if you want to go on some gentle walks. play area for children noted also.

Stunning views to just look out at and take a moment to appreciate our beautiful country 🥰 we managed to get my dad up In his wheelchair and he wanted to stand and take the view in 💙 we arrived just as the shop/cafe closed so didn’t get into have a wee look. You have to pay for parking here as well.

Excellent views from the viewpoint. The staff at the visitor centre were very pleasant and helpful. We had a lovely lunch at the cafe. The good weather allowed us to use the outside tables which we enjoyed very much in the early Autumn sunshine.👍

The Views Alone makes this Beautiful place 😍 a Must Visit.... Easy parking, very Reasonable price, pre pay online, and from the Car park only a very short walk to one of the Finest Views in Scotland..... Take a few Minutes, and let it sink in..... the Views down Loch Tummel and Schiehallion are Breathtaking.... There is a Ramp for Wheelchair ♿️ Access, and if you happen to visit on a Glorious Autumn 🍁🍁🍂🍂🔥🔥you'll be lost for Words..... There is a Small visitor centre, and Coffee ☕️ Shop, with a good range of Hot Drinks and Homebaking.... Enjoy 😉it's a Fabulous Location 👌

This place really lives up to the hype. Amazing viewpoint and an easy, quick walk. Maximum pay-off for minimum effort 👌 Pay to park in the car park but happy to support maintenance/access of such beautiful places in Scotland. Short stay option was only £3 for 6 hours I think. Sure there are many longer walks to do there but we didn't have time on our visit.

Beautiful view point, it is a must see place if you round this area. Easy walk from the carpark. Only a few minutes it takes. Nice coffee to grab something to eat or drink.

Queen’s View is definitely worth visiting! The views of Loch Tummel are absolutely stunning, and it’s an easy, short walk to the viewpoint. When we visited, it wasn’t crowded. There’s a lovely small café and gift shop nearby—just remember to pay for parking.

Nice cafe and lovely staff. Real shame about the £3 car parking charge. There is no real warning about payment untill you enter the car park and the camera captures your reg immediately so you can't turn around.

I visited this place so beautiful.

Spend some good time roaming around the river and crossing the foot bridge to catch some good views of the old church nearby. This flows right through the heart of Inverness and adds a lot to the place.

Lovely walk along here. Would also recommend Ness Islands. We were here mid November so did not have ideal weather conditions but it was very worthwhile!

Such a beautiful and peaceful body of water to walk alongside.

Lovely place for a walk, nice and clean.

The River Ness is a fast flowing river it has a really strong current. You can walk beside the river in Inverness and you get some great views as you go along. It can be muddy and wet in places so good footwear is needed. It is also a good idea to have waterproofs incase you get caught in heavy rain. The weather can change very quickly. The area is popular with dog walkers and sadly some do not clear up after them.

Beautiful river which is very popular with the tourists and locals alike. Great for walking and bird watching

Very interesting snapshot of many aspects of Scottish life through the ages up to the 1940s I'd say. Lovely walk through the woods to the start of the timeline showing turf and heather housing. Allow a couple of hours to see the whole site. Nice little cafe with reasonable prices. No entry fee but donations encouraged, or buy the very informative guidebook for £5 and hand back in when you leave for someone else to buy.

Another wonderful place to stop off and learn about Scotland. Yes, you will have to compete with the loads of buses that appear in mid-morning, so I'd recommend getting there as soon as they open. As you can see in the pictures, there are quite a few buildings to check out, but what they don't show you is how large the site is. Just keep that in mind when you go there, and budget some time in to enjoy it. The day we got there, it was threatening rain or raining at times, so the paths became a bit slippery for my wife's power wheelchair. The paths themselves were good for the most part, but note that quite a lot of it is unpaved and can sometimes be bumpy.

We absolutely loved our visit. As a family of 4 there was plenty for us to explore. Children's playground, cafe, gift shop and toilets great. Entry and carpark is free but you are welcome to leave a donation - you will want to once you experience this place. The staff are very welcoming and very informative, it's clear they love their jobs. We bought a brochure (£5) which was very Informative and great to use alongside exploring the old villages. Sweet shop was super. A must see to get an insight into the history of the highlands! Just what we wanted on our trip to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Absolutely fantastic historical village with much to see and do for the whole family. We particularly enjoyed the Highland Cows and the mock lesson in the School house. The coffee from the cafe was amazing. Highly recommend. Free entry, you only pay for parking. You can make a voluntary donation, which I think you’ll see is warranted.

We mainly stopped as we heard they had highland cows and wanted to see them. We were surprised by how much there was to see and all for free! So we ended up staying for much longer than anticipated and checked out all of the buildings etc. The teens enjoyed the working sweet shop the most. The staff were all really friendly. We made a donation at the end as it was so worth while.

A lot bigger than we expected! Was definitely worth going and we all enjoyed. Very friendly staff. Visit to the old fashioned sweetie shop is a must - it's not open every day so worth checking on the website. School was also a highlight, make sure you ask to practice your handwriting with the fountain pen. Dogs on short leads welcome but not able to go in any of the buildings so we swapped out people holding the dog. The dog really enjoyed the walk through the woodlands.

Absolutely astounding place. In a beautiful location with buildings from different eras spread out and you walk between them. The contents temporary hones had to look to look at, there's even a curling lake, workshops, and don't miss the old thatch houses.

First class, easily accessible distillery just off the A9. 45 minute tour including 3 whiskies to taste is just the right amount of time to get a good appreciation for whisky distilling. Friendly and knowledgeable staff make this a great addition to your trip to Scotland.

An excellent tour led by a very knowledgable and engaging guide. Everything was explained well with plenty of time to see the various stages of the distilling process. The tasting session at the end was extremely well set up, and again our guide was hugely engaging and knowledgable.

This has to be the best low key distillery on in Scotland. First, it’s right off the highway. Second, it’s small and personal. Finally, it’s affordable and they encourage you to try any scotch you may like to sample. If they have a bottle at the bar, you can sample it. I tried a 20 year and another one I have had my eyes on for a while. Kind staff and just perfect in my opinion. Thanks for a great time and please order the gold fashion. Best drink I have ever had mixed with scotch.

We had a wonderful tour experience at Dalwhinnie Distillery. Nestled in the Highlands, it’s one of the highest-elevation distilleries in Scotland, and you can truly taste the purity of the local mountain water sourced from nearby lochs. The tour was informative and fascinating, we learned about the entire process of Scotch making, from the ingredients to distillation, and how the Highland climate influences the flavor profile. The tasting was the highlight for me, each Scotch was thoughtfully paired with delicious chocolates 🍫 that complemented the notes of the whisky perfectly. I even found a favorite to take home! Highly recommend a stop here if you’re exploring the Highlands or passing through. A memorable experience for whisky lovers and curious travelers alike. 🥃✨

An amazing tour, a must do if you’re in the area! Great value for money and very informative. 3 whiskies to try, 3 chocolates and tour glass to take home! They have a great gift shop too.

A simple no-frills distillery tour just like the smooth whiskey itself. They take you through the process with good detail & also appease your curiosity. The tour ends with 3 whiskey tasting + pairing of deliciously complimenting chocolates. The surrounding highlands add to the allure. Just note that Dalwhinnie distillery is quite low key & isn’t as appealing as Macallan or Glenlivet.

Of course, a whisky tour also includes a visit to the coldest or highest distillery, or the second-coldest and second-highest... This detour is not only geographically fascinating but also offers a wealth of taste experiences. As with many distilleries, the bottles that don't make it across the Channel are of interest to travelers—and Dalwhinnie has a lot to offer in this regard.

Loch Ness, where myths meet breathtaking views. 🙆‍♂️ Have you seen the Loch Ness Monster?🦕 Over a million tourists visit the Scottish coast every year in the hope of seeing the Nessie monster.🦕 And in the last photo, Nessie herself decided to pose for my lens.🤭

Lovely to tick this one off the bucket list, but my partner felt Windermere was nicer, but it’s worth coming to see, you can drive around it and stop off and take on the wondrous views.

Loch Ness is beautiful, I have recently been to Dores on one side of the loch and on a cruise on the other side.. amazing scenery, you will not be disappointed. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

Absolutely beautiful place, we couldn't Stay long due to poor weather and darkness falling but the view was amazing. We visited inverness and knew we would probably never be this far north again to see Loch Ness so done a quick de tour. Would recommend a visit if your in the area Scotland is an amazing place

Loch ness is a beautiful place to visit if yours travelling by car camper etc there is loads of nice places to stop and enjoy from the ruins of the castle 🏰 fresh fish and chip shop to the beautiful views all over the lake the whole road that goes around it is definitely one to travel on. If your close by definitely do the trip it will be worth it.

When up in the Highlands you cannot not visit loch Ness! We went on the loch Ness river cruise and parked at the Loch Ness clansman in the overflow car park. We had not pre booked any tickets but found no issues with booking for a group of 8 today from ticket office on the jetty. Fabulous staff on board the boat with a cafe selling snacks, hot drinks and alcohol and a toilet on board. The boat takes you to Urquhart castle where more passengers embarked and then we set off back to where we started. On the boat approx 55mins which was well worth it as the scenery is stunning. Lovely relaxing day

Good place to come. The Loch is not particularly better than the others besides the legend of Nessie. Fairly touristy but pretty good. If you are in Scotland good place to see. Maybe just maybe you will find the Loch Ness Monster hidden lurking in the depths.

On the shores of Loch Ness and the castle you see in all the photos and videos. Amazing location. You get to explore on your own. Takes about an hour to an hour and a half with the visitor shop 8 min vid. Worth seeing once for sure.

What a beautiful, breath taking place this was. It killed 2 birds in one stone, you can visit the castle and same time have a view/walk around of Loch Ness! We were so lucky that they day happened to be a nice sunny day - the setting, the colours of sky and the shadows on the Ness lake was simply amazing and picturesque. It is hard to put a review on this as some things you have to experience it yourself and this place is one of them!

At first I thought £16 was a bit much, but after viewing the 10min introduction film, a walk around the pictures and the castle itself, it was definitely worth it. Stunning view, nice gift shop and access to the lake. I'd definitely recommend to friends and family.

We made a stop here during our trip through the Highlands 🌄. The ruins of the castle are well-preserved, with clear signs explaining each area’s history. Before the visit, there’s a short film that tells the story of the castle — a very creative and engaging introduction 🎥. The views over Loch Ness are stunning… though we didn’t spot Nessie this time!

Beautiful castle with stunning views over Loch Ness! The ruins are well preserved, and the short film at the visitor centre really brings the history to life. We went with kids and learned many things we wouldn’t have known if we hadn’t visited. Exploring the towers and walls was a highlight for everyone. We went on a weekday, and it was surprisingly less crowded. Highly recommend booking ahead and taking your time to enjoy the scenery and history!

We visited as park of a Loch Ness cruise (Jacobite Cruises) and stopping at the castle was definitely a highlight. The grounds and the surrounding landscape are beautiful! Much of the castle walls were destroyed in various seiges but what's left can be explored. We spent about an hour here.

£16 an adult ticket just about ok ! The facilities for parking, the cafe/ shop and terraced area over loooking the castle are great. The castle itself is limited for exploration grounds but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Well worth a visit for solo, cpuples or families. If you need a place with facilities this is it.

Absolutely loved it. Booked a few days before, and managed to get the tour at 10am followed by the boat trip at 12pm. The tour is great, it explains a lot and shows you the history of Loch Ness. There is a cafe and a few souvenir shops around that have all sorts of things in to choose from. The boat trip starts with a short mini bus ride down the hill to the jetty where you are welcomed by Skipper Steve, taken in to the boat and off you go. Theres lots of photo opportunities to be had, and we were lucky enough to go on a beautiful day with blue skies, calm water and the sun out too. All I can say is go - it's worth the money all day long.

Really enjoyed our visit which was organised by Lochs & Glens. The centre was brilliant. Lots of nice touches and informative. All narrated by my fav David Tennant. All set in beautiful scenery.

Absolutely worth it. 6/5 stars in my experience. The museum was awesome, very well organized into a dynamic, coherent story with mutltiple Interactive “exhibit” rooms The design was very well done and engaging for kids and adults for different reasons. If you’re concerned about price, I saw skip the old broken castle and go here instead! Also I hate gift shops but liked this one and bought 3 things. Lots of great low price gift ideas that are super unique and fun.

This place was very interesting. In a series of short videos and interviews presented in a very cute way, you are introduced to the area, the legend and the possibilities of Nessie’s existence: your choice. Do you believe in Nessie? You decide! We enjoyed this experience, but it is not “necessary” to the enjoyment of all that Lochness has to offer… still I would recommend it.

We booked our tickets online before arriving. The 1 hour presentation at the hotel/centre was very funny, enjoyable and entertaining. Worth the money paid. The cruise though it was a slow cruise, but to feel the sun warmth on my face was just amazing.

Not worth the money to do a tour at The Loch Ness Centre. I was expecting more, but tbh it was more of a self directed tour / museum - where you walk across different rooms to watch the videos and animations/ voice over. It was for sure NOT worth it at all. Came out of the tour feeling disappointed and that it didn't fulfil my curiosity that I had since childhood. ♿️ wheelchair accessible entrance, might be abit cramped to move across different rooms of the tour.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great family stop by Loch Ness! The exhibits are fun and interactive, with a perfect mix of history, science, and the mystery of Nessie. The staff were friendly, and the kids loved the immersive experience. Definitely worth visiting before or after seeing Urquhart Castle nearby!

Took the Loch Ness cruise in mid March this year and what an adventure! Fair warning: it was absolutely freezing, and the downstairs cabin filled up fast, leaving us braving the elements on the upper deck. Pro tip: arrive early if you want any chance of staying warm indoors! Even wearing the same gear that kept me comfortable in Iceland, I was still shivering. As for Nessie sightings? Well, let's just say only the truly dedicated (or slightly mad) tourists like us were out there in those conditions - and apparently, the monster has more sense than we do! She was probably tucked away somewhere warm and cozy. The boat had “sonar” screens and a great guide! Despite the arctic conditions, the scenery was stunning and the experience memorable. Just come prepared for Scottish weather, no matter what the forecast says! Pro tip #2: Scottish whisky really helps keep one warm!!!! 🥃 full bar on board!

A wonderful experience, if you come all the way to this place, you must take the trip around the lake (loch). The crew was fun, the ride was smooth, Nessie was shy that particular day, maybe next time she will show up. Something to remember.

Very nice cruise and at a very fair price, considering the tourism of the area. We went on a whim and were glad we did. Our guide was funny and informative. Our captain took us close to the cliffs. Overall, highly recommended.

First off, it’s super pet-friendly! The cruise had cosy indoor spaces and a lovely outdoor area on top where you can soak up the wind and the loch’s vibe. Everyone on the tour was super friendly and full of knowledge. I learned a ton about the latest Loch Ness monster research, and even got a little whisky class that I absolutely loved!

Loch Ness is a place of stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by rolling hills and peaceful landscapes, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the calm and charm of the Scottish Highlands. Whether you're there for the legendary stories or just to take in the scenery, the loch has a quiet, magical atmosphere that’s hard to forget. A beautiful destination well worth the visit.

We visited today 16/07/2025 and it was certainly worth its money for 2 hour trip. Peter the tour guide was brilliant and kept all the passengers entertained and ensuring he spoke to each one. He is definitely an asset to Jacobite!!! Peter and hubby spotted Nessie 🤣🤣 Currently staying in Loch Ness Lodges, wow these lodges are beautiful and relaxing...visiting from Peterborough and Derby

an unforgettable experience, we had good weather and I took many pictures, but the best thing is that you have to come here and experience it for yourself !! I didn't see the monster, I think it was his day off, but we'll definitely see him next time 😀 Cheers

Pick a clear dry day to visit and it will be nicer. Parking is close by and there is a lovely walk along the canal and some great boats moored up. The cafe by the locks is well worth a visit as well. Don't go on a wet and windy day like we did, although the dog didn't mind the weather.

Fantastic bit of engineering, timing wise we got to see some boats going up. There is a cafe and a shop there and you can make a good walk around the area which is well worth it.

Excellent Walk up by the canal locks. Wonderful scenery with Ben Nevis close by. Amazing engineering of the canal locks known as Neptune's Staircase. Neptune's Staircase is a flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal near Fort William, Scotland, built by Thomas Telford in the early 1800s. It is the longest staircase lock flight in Scotland and takes boats approximately 90 minutes to traverse, raising them about 19.5 meters (64 feet). The site is a popular attraction for watching boats in action, trainspotting on the nearby West Highland line, and enjoying scenic views of Ben Nevis.

We timed this visit perfectly. It was really interesting to see the lock working for a large cruise boat and then a few smaller boats. It takes 90 mins for a boat to pass through the 8 locks. It was built in the early 1800s

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Neptune’s Staircase – Scotland’s Engineering Gem in Fort William Neptune’s Staircase is one of the most fascinating engineering sights I’ve seen in the Highlands. Located in Banavie, just outside Fort William, this set of eight lock gates is part of the historic Caledonian Canal and was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford in the early 1800s. The locks stretch over a quarter-mile and lift boats nearly 20 meters (64 ft) — it’s the longest staircase lock in Britain and still fully operational! It’s absolutely worth a stop whether you’re driving, cycling, or staying nearby. Watching boats pass through the locks is surprisingly peaceful and mesmerizing. The process takes around 90 minutes per boat, and it’s amazing to see how smoothly it all runs thanks to the modern hydraulic systems. You can walk the entire stretch of the staircase, and the views of Ben Nevis in the distance are spectacular, especially on a clear day. The towpath is well-maintained and ideal for a scenic walk or bike ride. You’ll also see the Jacobite Steam Train cross the canal on a nearby swing bridge — a great photo opportunity! There are free parking spots, rest areas, and cafés nearby for a relaxing afternoon. 📸 Photo tip: Stand on the upper side of the lock gates to capture boats and Ben Nevis in the same frame. Highly recommended for families, photographers, engineers, and history lovers. Free to visit and great for all ages!

Neptune's Staircase is an amazing experience when there is big boat ascending the locks. What an awesome feat of engineering 👏 it's free PARKING, an newly renovated park area for the kids, with plenty of shading and picnic benches. As you walk up the left hand side of the canal you will find the most amazing icecream 🍦 shop, they do doggie icecream too. We had a fantastic time and spent a few hours here watching the boat go to the other side of the road and railway lines..well worth a visit...

A quite amazing piece of engineering from a man who left his footprint throughout the Highlands and Islands, Thomas Telford. The Caledonian Canal never really served its intended purpose as a sea canal since the size of sea going vessels had overtaken the capacity of the infrastructure by the time the canal was completed. Nevertheless this series of eight locks which used to take 30 hours to navigate manually is a monument to Telford's engineering brilliance.

We arrived at 9:30 am for the 10:45 train, but both car parks were already full. We ended up parking at a nearby hotel, about a 5-minute walk away. Still, the old-fashioned train reminiscent of Harry Potter was well worth the effort.

Wow what an absolutely beautiful spot this is. The viaduct is about a 10 minute walk from the car park. There is a main spot to get pictures from which gets busy but it's worth looking round for less packed spots to catch the magical train going past with all the bells and whistles going off and the steam. Across the road is a monument you can pay £5 to fo to the top off which gives you some fantastic views. The stairs are a little tight and there is basically a trap door to get up to the top but the guide at the start gives you a full brief and was full of great information.

Wonderful experience. If you are fan of harry potter you can’t Miss this place. The train pass two times per days. Form the parking, you have to walk circa fiftheen minutes in order to reach the place. The trail is not easy

Every time we are close to Fort William, Inverness, Glencoe, or anywhere West Scotland in that matter, we go for a walk around Glenfinnan Viaduct, monument, and the lake. Rain or shine, we go there. It's just breathtaking. If we get to see Hogwarts Express, bonus points.

I'm a middle-aged woman, but this place still made me SUPER excited for the Harry Potter train! Many people arrive an hour early to get the best spot for photos before the train passes and it’s sooooo worth it. Choo~ choo~ The moment the Jacobite steam train appears with that iconic sound, everyone gasps with excitement and anticipation. If you come to Scotland, make time for this. Seriously!

A one of its kind experience. Must visit place among Highlands of Scotland. Following the craze of the Harry Potter movie and witnessing the steam engine train pass that bridge, was a breathtaking moment. The place itself is mesmerizing. The beautifully crafted bridge between two sides of mountains, and the greenery, fresh Breeze and the lake, Beauty at its Max! Ample parking space for visiting this place. Cafe and eatery available near parking.

If you are a great Harry porter series fan, and you love to explore the paces where the senses were captured, than I would recommend you to explore the place. You will love it. If you want to capture the scene with Train, than you should arrive there at 2:30 pm or 11:30am. As the train times are 3pm and 12pm, it get delayed sometimes bcz of weather conditions, but runs regularly on weekdays. I hope you enjoy it.

really great staff, plenty of parking available and an easy walk to the viewpoint of the bridge. I wouldn't recommend paying for the actual jacobite steam train, though, because it's very expensive, dated and not well maintained.

The Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is excellent with a nice shopping area and very clean facilities. I was surprised to learn the building is quite new and it shows in the quality. I had no trouble finding a parking spot although I arrived about an hour early which might help. There are two paths to the viewpoint, one goes straight to the viaduct and is definitely the better option while the other is less impressive. Overall a great stop that makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Allows at least 1-2 hours in advance, in order to find a parking. Don’t park on the street, otherwise you will receive ticket. This visitor center provides toilets inside the shop which is pretty good.

Beautiful experience watching the Jacobite train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct! But just a small note —Today, the afternoon return train that was scheduled to pass around 3:30 pm arrived earlier at 3:13 pm. So, it’s best to come at least 20 minutes early to avoid missing it.

Very friendly staff. Good,small exhibition. Great little shop and cafe. Viaduct and monument definitely worth a visit.

Car park gets very busy if you're coming to see the jacobite train pass the viaduct. Get there early! There were like 200 people on a very rainy Thursday in September watching the trian. I alcan only imagine how many come at high season in August.

This attraction is free to enter, but car parking is £4. Very interesting center, with a bit of everything from geology to history to natural sciences. I especially enjoyed the tour. The center is dog-friendly, and a staff member gave my dogs treats. The only downside was it took ages to get served in the cafe.