Urquhart Castle is a medieval fortress ruin on the shores of Loch Ness, 16 miles southwest of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for planning your visit.
This Scottish castle is a popular attraction on day tours from Inverness that also include Loch Ness cruises.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9.30am–4.30pm (winter), 9.30am–8.15pm (summer). Last entry 45 minutes before closing |
| Entry price | Adult £14 online (£16 walk-up), child £8.50 online (£9.50 walk-up), concession £11 online (£13 walk-up) |
| Address | Near Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, Inverness, IV63 6XJ |
| Nearest town | Drumnadrochit (1.5 miles north), Inverness (16 miles northeast) |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours to explore castle ruins, visitor centre and grounds |
| Distance from Inverness | Approximately 16 miles (30 minutes’ drive) |
Urquhart Castle opening hours
The castle and visitor centre are open daily year-round with seasonal variations:
1 April–31 August: Daily, 9.30am to last entry 7.15pm (closes 8.15pm)
1–30 September: Daily, 9.30am to last entry 5pm (closes 6pm)
From 1–31 October: Daily, 9.30am to last entry 4pm (closes 5pm)
1 November–31 March: Daily, 9.30am to last entry 3.30pm (closes 4.30pm)
Last entry is 45 minutes before closing time. The castle shop and café follow the same seasonal hours. The site is closed on 25 and 26 December.
Urquhart Castle ticket prices
Ticket prices and opening hours were checked and updated in January 2026.
Standard admission tickets:
- Adult online: £14
- Adult walk-up: £16
- Child (5–15 years) online: £8.50
- Child walk-up: £9.50
- Child under 5: free (ticket required)
- Concession online: £11
- Concession walk-up: £13
Family tickets (online only):
- 1 adult + 2 children: £28
- 2 adults + 2 children: £40.50
- 2 adults + 3 children: £48
Annual passes:
- Historic Environment Scotland membership: provides free entry year-round.
- English Heritage members get half price entry in their first year of membership, and free entry after renewing membership. This is a massively underplayed perk of English Heritage membership and applies to most Historic Environment Scotland properties.
All visits must be booked in advance to guarantee entry. Booking online saves £2 per adult ticket compared to walk-up prices. Car parking must also be reserved when booking tickets.
Why book the Loch Ness, whisky & Outlander day tour from Inverness?
- Explore legendary Loch Ness: Visit the world-famous freshwater loch, take in its dramatic scenery and search for signs of the elusive monster.
- See Urquhart Castle ruins: Wander the atmospheric remains of this historic fortress overlooking Loch Ness and learn about its turbulent past.
- Whisky distillery visit: Enjoy a stop at a traditional Highland distillery with a chance to sample fine Scotch and learn about whisky making.
- Outlander filming locations: Pass by or visit sites featured in the hit series, with commentary that brings the landscapes to life for fans.
- Guided full-day experience: Includes transport from Inverness and commentary from a knowledgeable guide, making for a stress-free and informative outing.
How to get to Urquhart Castle
The castle is located on the A82, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Drumnadrochit village.
From Inverness: Take the A82 southwest along the west shore of Loch Ness. The castle is clearly signposted on the left-hand side after approximately 16 miles. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.
From Fort William: Take the A82 northeast through Fort Augustus. The castle is on the right-hand side approximately 30 miles from Fort William. Journey time is approximately 1 hour.
The postcode IV63 6XJ will bring you directly to the visitor centre car park.
Public transport: Stagecoach bus route 17 runs from Inverness to Drumnadrochit (3–4 times daily). From Drumnadrochit, the castle is a 30-minute walk (1.5 miles) south along the A82. Scottish Citylink bus route 919 operates between Fort William and Inverness, stopping near the castle entrance. Services are infrequent; check timetables before travelling.
Those without their own car are best off booking a tour from Inverness that includes both a Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle entry. These tours also visit Beauly Priory and Culloden Battlefield.
Parking at Urquhart Castle
A large car park accommodates approximately 200 vehicles. Parking must be booked in advance when purchasing entry tickets. The car park is frequently full between 10am and 3pm during summer months (May to September).
If the castle car park is full, park at the Hub car park in Drumnadrochit village (1.5 miles north) and walk 30 minutes to the castle along the A82.
Coach parking spaces are available and must be arranged in advance by contacting Historic Environment Scotland.
How long to spend at Urquhart Castle
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at Urquhart Castle. This allows time to watch the 8-minute introductory film in the visitor centre, explore the castle ruins and visit the shop and café.
Allow 45–60 minutes to explore the castle ruins, including climbing the Grant Tower and walking through the remains of the Great Hall, gatehouse and other structures. The introductory film takes 8 minutes. Visitors spending time in the café or shop may extend their visit to 2–2.5 hours.
Photography of the castle and Loch Ness views may add 15–20 minutes.
Accessibility at Urquhart Castle
The visitor centre and main pathway from the car park to the castle are wheelchair accessible. A virtual tour is available in the visitor centre for visitors unable to access the castle ruins.
The castle ruins themselves include uneven ground, steps, narrow passages and steep slopes, making them challenging for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. The Grant Tower has a narrow spiral staircase (not accessible).
Accessible facilities: The visitor centre includes accessible toilets, lifts and level access. An audio guide is available free via mobile phone (requires internet connection).
Assistance dogs are permitted. Other dogs are not allowed.
What to see at Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle was one of Scotland‘s largest castles before being deliberately destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces. The site has been fortified since at least the 6th century, when St Columba reportedly visited a Pictish fort here.
The castle played a significant role during the Wars of Independence, changing hands repeatedly between Scottish and English forces. Control passed to the Grant clan in 1509, who held it until 1692.
The Grant Tower is the best-preserved structure, standing five storeys tall. Visitors can climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views across Loch Ness and the Great Glen. The tower includes vaulted cellars and former living quarters.
The Great Hall ruins show where medieval banquets were held. Adjacent are the remains of a prison cell, said to have held Gaelic bard Dòmhnall Donn. The gatehouse controlled access to the castle from land.
The visitor centre (opened in 2002) houses medieval artefacts including the Urquhart Ewer, a scale model showing the castle at its peak, and a full-sized trebuchet (medieval siege engine). The 8-minute introductory film explains the castle’s history from the 6th century through its destruction in 1692, with a dramatic finale.
The castle occupies a rocky promontory with views up and down Loch Ness. The location is historically associated with Loch Ness Monster sightings.
Practical tips for visiting Urquhart Castle
| Tip |
|---|
| Book tickets and parking online in advance, particularly between May and September. The car park fills by mid-morning during peak season and walk-up tickets cost £2 more per adult. |
| Arrive before 10am or after 3pm to avoid crowds. Late afternoon visits (4–6pm in summer) offer quieter exploration with good photography lighting. |
| Start with the 8-minute introductory film in the visitor centre before exploring the ruins. The film provides historical context that enhances understanding of the site. |
| Wear sturdy footwear. The castle ruins include uneven ground, loose stones and steep steps that can be slippery when wet. |
| The Grant Tower spiral staircase is very narrow and can become congested. Visitors uncomfortable with narrow spaces or heights may prefer to skip the tower climb. |
| Download offline maps or the Historic Environment Scotland app before travelling, as mobile signal can be weak around Loch Ness. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Urquhart Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children enjoy exploring the ruins, climbing the Grant Tower and watching for the Loch Ness Monster. Children under 5 enter free but require a ticket. Supervise children carefully on steps and near the loch edge. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | Yes. All visits must be booked in advance to guarantee entry, and parking must be reserved when booking tickets. Walk-up tickets may not be available if the site is at capacity. |
| Is Urquhart Castle open in winter? | Yes. The castle is open daily year-round with reduced hours in winter (9.30am–4.30pm, November to March). Winter visits are quieter though weather can affect accessibility. |
| Are dogs allowed? | No. Only assistance dogs are permitted at Urquhart Castle. |
| Can you see the Loch Ness Monster from the castle? | Urquhart Castle is one of the most common locations for reported Loch Ness Monster sightings. However, sightings are extremely rare and not guaranteed. |
| How long does it take to walk around the castle? | Allow 45–60 minutes to explore the ruins, including climbing the Grant Tower. Combined with the visitor centre film and facilities, most visits last 1–2 hours. |
Things to do near Urquhart Castle
Loch Ness Centre (1.5 miles north, Drumnadrochit): Interactive exhibition exploring Loch Ness geology, wildlife and the Loch Ness Monster legend.
Loch Ness cruises (departing Drumnadrochit and Clansman Harbour): Boat trips on Loch Ness lasting 50 minutes to 1.5 hours. Some cruises stop at Urquhart Castle.
Falls of Foyers (12 miles south): A 30-metre waterfall on the River Foyers, accessed via a 10-minute woodland walk.
Fort Augustus (14 miles southwest): Village at the southern end of Loch Ness with the Caledonian Canal, Neptune’s Staircase locks and boat trips.
Corrimony Chambered Cairn (10 miles west): A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial cairn with stone circle, located near Drumnadrochit.
Plodda Falls (17 miles southwest): A 46-metre waterfall dropping into Glen Affric.
Fort George (30 miles northeast): An 18th-century artillery fortification, one of the finest in Europe. Operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
