Dores Beach is located on the east shore of the famous Loch Ness in Scotland and has one of the best viewpoints of Loch Ness. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To Dores Beach
Located approximately 9 miles from the Scottish city of Inverness, Dores Beach is on the edge of Loch Ness.
Bus
Buses 14A and 16, leaving from Inverness, both have routes that pass nearby.
Car
Following the B862 from Inverness it will take about 19 minutes.
Free parking is available next to the Dores Inn, which is right next to the beach.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Dores Beach Entrance Fee
It is free to visit Dores Beach.
Dores Beach Opening Times
Dores Beach is open all day, every day.
Best Time to Visit Dores Beach
Dores Beach is the best place to view Loch Ness from.
It can be very busy over the summer months with tourists, therefore, if you like it a bit quieter try and get there early.
The Dores Inn, located right next to the beach is highly recommended for food and drink.
Make sure to take a pair of binoculars to get a better chance of spotting the Loch Ness monster.
If visiting in the winter, wrap up warm as it can get very cold here.
We visited Dores Beach on the way up from Loch Morlich In Aviemore before beginning our NC500 trip at Rogie Falls.
What To Pack
Dores Beach & The Loch Ness Monster History
Affectionately known as Nessie, the Loch Ness monster is said to be a creature that inhabits Loch Ness.
Described as having a long neck and humps that protrude from the water, there have been many alleged sightings of this monster over the years.
Reports of a monster in Loch Ness date back to ancient times. In fact, the first written account appears in a biography of St Columba from 565 AD.
However, Nessie was brought to worldwide attention in 1933 when a couple reported they had seen a strange creature cross in front of their car and go into the Loch.
Following this, in 1934, an English physician photographed the alleged creature. The Daily Mail printed this iconic image which caused an International sensation.
Subsequently, much of the evidence collated over the years, supporting the existence of Nessie, has been discredited. As a result it is now believed by many that the monster is in fact a myth.
However, this has not dampened the enthusiasm of the many Loch Ness monster hunters that continue to visit the loch.
Nessie remains a popular tourist attraction in Scotland, with visitors still flocking from far and wide, hoping to get a glimpse of this illusive creature.
What To Expect At Dores Beach
This is a small, pretty pebble beach that slopes down to the water. It is famous for being one of the best viewpoints of Loch Ness, giving the most amazing views all the way down the famous Loch.
Hence, this beach is a favourite hang-out for anyone trying to catch a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness monster ‘Nessie’.
Unfortunately on the day we visited the weather wasn’t great. However it almost made for a cooler experience enhancing the eeriness of the area.
We did have time to meet the most famous of all Nessie hunters though, Steve Feltham.
Steve lives in his converted van next to Dores Beach and says that he has never regretted his decision to devote his life to searching for Nessie.
In 1999 Dores Beach was designated as a bathing water area and therefore the beach is very popular with tourists, especially in the summer months.
There has since been a litter pick station made so that everyone can do their bit to keep the tourist destination in as clean condition as possible!
Whether looking for Nessie or wanting a relaxing day on a beautiful little beach with great views, this is the place to come to.
Where To Stay In Scotland
Luxury
Offering free WiFi and free private parking, exploreNESS Apartment is located in Inverness, just 0.8 miles from Inverness Castle.
The property is less than 0.6 miles from Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and 1.6 miles from Caledonian Thistle.
The apartment features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the apartment.
Mid-Budget
Located 1.7 miles from Inverness Castle, Loch Earn provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
There is also a kitchen in some of the units with a dishwasher, a fridge, and an oven.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the bed and breakfast.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Budget
Just 10 minutes’ walk from Inverness Rail Station, Inverness Youth Hostel offers free private parking and bicycle storage.
Eastgate shopping centre is a 10-minute walk from this hostel. Hootananny, a popular music venue, is just 15 minutes’ walk away.
Culloden Battlefield and its visitor centre is just a 10-minute drive away. The banks of Loch Ness and the country village of Dores are both a 20-minute drive away.
All rooms have a shared bathroom. Packed lunch and luggage storage is available on request.
For more places to stay in Scotland, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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