Loch Ness is a monster of a draw

LOCH Ness by Jacobite and the loch’s most famous landmark, Urquhart Castle, have been revealed as Scotland’s most popular paid-for attractions outside the central belt.

The findings by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) mark a spate of recent success for Loch Ness by Jacobite, which welcomed a record-breaking 315,000 visitors to the loch in 2018 – a growth of nine per cent from 2017 and well over the national average of just 0.1 per cent.

Loch Ness by Jacobite managing director Freda Newton said: “It’s been an incredible year at Loch Ness, with a record-breaking number of visitors to the loch as well as the launch of our new vessel, the Jacobite Maverick. We welcomed guests from 89 different nationalities, which highlights the international appeal of the area.

“The summer is shaping up to be an exciting one for Loch Ness by Jacobite, with new flight routes into Inverness Airport and the opening of our retail destination and café in Dochgarroch at the end of May meaning we can only expect this growth to continue.”

Urquhart Castle also broke records with 518,195 visitors in 2018 – the first time it has surpassed half a million.

Euan Fraser, Urquhart Castle business and hub manager, said: “The appeal of the Highlands reaches far and wide – from local Scots to international tourists – and the rise in visitor numbers across the region demonstrates the increased interest in the beautiful landscapes, history, and heritage that makes the Highlands a unique place to visit.”

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