Image / Wikimedia Commons
Arrive, drop your bag, then head out with a plan. This guide to fishing in the Highlands shows you the best fishing spots near Lochardil House, from loch and river banks to chartered sea trips. You will find practical routes, suggested half day family outings, and how to book experienced guides such as You Fish Scotland or local boat skippers from Caley Marina. Learn about tides, licences and seasonal species, and where to combine a morning cast with an afternoon walk on the Ness Islands or a stop at the Loch Ness Hub. Use Highland Coast Hotels as your base, a comfortable place to return to after each day on the water.
Image / Loch Ness Hub & Travel
Your friendly starting point for Loch Ness adventures
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What to expect
Expect a small, practical space staffed by local people who know the area. You can buy or book tours, pick up walking maps and collect tickets for Urquhart Castle and boat trips. The gift shelf focuses on local made items, and staff can point you to nearby cafés and quieter viewpoints. The hub acts as a booking and meeting point for farmers, skippers and guides who run the most popular local experiences.
Plan your visit
If you have specific tours in mind, book or reserve in advance through the hub, especially for Highland Cow visits and boat trips. Pick up walking maps and ask about baggage transfers if you’re on the Great Glen Way. Bring a warm layer and sturdy shoes for moorland and shore paths, and have some cash for small souvenirs. Tell staff your mobility needs, they can advise on accessibility and transport connections.
Image / Day Out With The Kids
Cast a line into Highland waters, learn from local guides, and enjoy a day on lochs and rivers.
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What to expect
Expect patient, personalised instruction whether you are new to casting or sharpening advanced skills. Guides focus on technique and local knowledge, placing you on waters suited to your aim , pike, brown trout, sea trout, perch and salmon are common targets. The pace is unhurried: time on the water mixes casting practice, fishing from shore or boat, and breaks in the cabin to watch wildlife and warm up. Groups range from solo anglers to families, and dogs are welcome at the cabin on many outings.
Plan your visit
Book ahead to secure your preferred day and to tell the guides about your experience level. Dress in layers and bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear; guides supply rods, flies and lifejackets. Mention if you need transport from central Inverness, or if you plan to bring a dog. If you want a quieter session, ask about weekday mornings or private-water options.
Image / PredictWind
A working Highland marina where canal life meets Loch Ness cruising.
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What to expect
Expect a working marina atmosphere with regular comings and goings, workshop activity and staff who know boats. Caley Cruisers run a fleet of hire boats from the quay, with full handover and basic training for novice skippers. There is a practical shop for marine kit, qualified engineers and craning facilities on site. Paths beside the canal make for easy walks and boat-watching.
Plan your visit
If you plan to hire a boat, book in advance and allow time for the handover and safety briefing. Dress in layers and wear sensible, non-slip shoes for moving around quays and boats. Bring a camera and warm outerwear even in summer, the weather can change quickly. If you are not hiring, combine a visit with a towpath walk or a short cruise from the marina.
Image / iStock
Follow the Findhorn from peaty uplands to the Moray Firth, where space and wildlife meet the water.
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What to expect
Rugged river corridors and open valley scenes. You will move between tree-lined banks, heather-clad slopes and exposed estuary sands. Look for otters, kingfishers and ospreys along quieter stretches, and keep an eye out for salmon in season. Paths range from low riverside tracks to rough land-rover routes that climb to ridges for far-reaching views.
Plan your visit
Wear sturdy boots and layered waterproofs, and carry a map or offline route on your phone. If you want guided activities, contact local outfitters before you go. Leave gates as you find them and follow land access guidance. Bring binoculars for wildlife and plan any fishing with the appropriate permit.
Image / www.dunainwoods.com
A small pocket of woodland and water for a quiet pause.
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What to expect
Expect short, well-worn paths through mixed woodland and an open pond fringed with reeds. Families come to feed ducks and watch ducklings, while walkers and mountain bikers use the wider trail network. There are a few benches and a plaque near the path, so you can sit and take in the water and birdlife. The site feels calm and neighbourhood-focused rather than formal or manicured.
Plan your visit
Wear sensible shoes for muddy or uneven sections and bring a small bag for litter. If you plan to feed birds, use appropriate seed or oats rather than bread. Combine a visit with a short walk up the nearby paths to the TV mast for a view, or bring a bike to explore the carved trails. Be respectful at the pet cemetery and war graves, keeping noise low and dogs under control.
Image / Britain Express
Riverside calm and evergreen trails in the heart of Inverness
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What to expect
Tarmacked, well‑lit paths weave under mature pines and sycamore. You will cross lightweight suspension bridges that give a slight bounce underfoot, pass carved benches and a Nessie tree log, and watch clear, fast water threading around small cascades. Wildlife is visible most days: herons, ducks, salmon and the occasional otter. Some paths are shared with cyclists, so stay aware on narrower stretches.
Plan your visit
Start from the city centre and follow the riverside path to reach the islands within a short walk. Wear sturdy shoes in winter, as paths can be slippery when wet or misty. Bring binoculars for birdwatching and a picnic to use the central seating areas. Allow time to cross both bridges and loop the islands, then continue along Ness Walk if you want views toward St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Botanical Gardens. Keep an eye out for cyclists and give way on narrow sections.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
Highland Coast Hotels is a collection of hotels across the Scottish Highlands, from Inverness to the far north coast. Each property sits within the landscape, with warm rooms, honest food and local knowledge at every stop on the North Coast 500. Choose your hotel and start planning your trip.
