Things to do in Foyers

Situated on the quieter ‘south side’ of Loch Ness on the outskirts of the small Highland village of Foyers, Foyers Lodge is a great base from which to enjoy some of Scotland’s finest sporting and leisure pursuits. In addition we’re only a stone’s throw from the famous Falls of Foyers, a must see during your stay.

With unparalleled golfing, touring, walking, climbing, cycling and fishing opportunities on our doorstop, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do during your time with us. If you’re completing the Loch Ness 360 trail or competing in the Loch Ness Marathon, we’re ideally located for your overnight stay.

Activities

Explore

Foyers Lodge is surrounded by an abundance of beautiful loch-side and forest walks as well as being situated along the South Loch Ness Trail and Loch Ness 360. You may find it helpful to check the Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Walk Highlands and Forestry and Land Scotland websites and talk to us about the shorter trails and walks around the lodge. A series of creative botanical workshops and guided nature walks are also available to book via ‘Tilly and Roo’. Click here to learn more.

Fish

Catching a wild brown trout or a magnificent salmon in the crystal clear waters and fresh air of the Highlands is a magical experience.

Book a guided fishing tour with Fish Loch Ness. Half day or full day trips available from Foyers Pier. Alternatively, let an expert show you how to cast a fly for salmon or trout. One to one or small groups – all levels welcome. Visit Green Highlander to book.

Boat Trips

Take a high speed, hour long, Rib tour onboard the ‘Wee Beastie’ from Foyers Pier. The ‘Glenliath’, a beautiful 45 foot cruiser, is also available for private charter. Click here to book.

Boat trips from Cruise Loch Ness sail from nearby Fort Augustus.

Golf

For golfing enthusiasts Inverness-shire is home to one of the best-rated links courses in the world, Castle Stuart. To learn more and to make a reservation click here. In addition there are a whole host of other courses in the surrounding area.

Royal Dornoch is a 1 hr, 30 mins drive from Foyers Lodge.

Horse Riding

Loch Ness Riding caters for experienced riders only and is located a 20 minute drive away at Dores. They offer both hacks and lessons, either privately or in small groups. Riders must be competent and balanced at all paces over varied terrain. Jumping is not required. All horses are ridden English style, not Western.

The Falls of Foyers

No trip to the south side of Loch Ness would be complete without visiting the famous Falls of Foyers, only a short walk from the lodge.

The Fall of Foyers is a waterfall with a drop of 165 feet located on the River Foyers which feeds Loch Ness. The waterfall is the inspiration for Robert Burns’ poem Lines On The Fall Of Fyers Near Loch-Ness which he wrote ‘with a pencil on the spot’ in 1787.

The flow over the falls has been much reduced since 1895 when the British Aluminium Company built an aluminium smelting plant on the shore of Loch Ness which was powered by electricity generated by the river. However, this doesn’t detract from their beauty and they are most definitely a must see.

You can also enjoy a number of artworks dedicated to the Falls of Foyers around the lodge, including original pages from ‘The Sketch’ magazine published in 1895 and our award winning poster series designed by Alphabetical Studio in response to Rabbie Burns’ famous poem.

Castles

Urquhart Castle is located on the ‘north’ side of Loch Ness, a 45 minute drive away. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart saw great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress. The last of the government troops garrisoned here during the Jacobite Risings blew up the castle when they left. Urquhart’s iconic ruins remain, offering glimpses into medieval times and the lives of its noble residents.

We can also recommend visits to nearby Cawdor Castle and Dunrobin Castle as well as Eilean Donan Castle which is en route to the Isle of Skye.

Outdoor Experiences

The Loch Ness area has so much to offer with wonderful hills and glens to explore. In Your Element run a programme of regular, scheduled activity sessions including guided canoe trips on Loch Ness. In addition, Loch Ness Kayak provide everything you need for a half-day beginners’ trip; located only 4 miles from Inverness at Dochgarroch Loch.

Loch Ness Alpacas

Looking for an unique experience on the shores of South Loch Ness? Why not visit the resident herd of Alpacas in Dores? Whether you want to just meet them or take them for a walk along the shoreline, there’s an experience to suit, click here to book.

Cycling

There are fantastic trails and routes all around Inverness and Loch Ness and Foyers Lodge is the perfect stop off point during your cycling holiday for rest and recuperation. Check out Visit Inverness Loch Ness for further details regarding trails in the area.

Click here for cycle hire from Ticket to Ride Inverness and here to book a variety of guided tours with 42 Cycling.

We have secure storage facilities for your bicycle on site.

Local Distilleries

If you enjoy a wee dram, you’ll know that no trip to Scotland is complete without visiting one of our distilleries. Our local distillery is Tomatin, just a 45 minute drive away.

On their tours, guides will talk you through the whole production process, from mashing and distilling to maturation - you will also be able to sample a variety of different expressions of Tomatin.

Booking is highly recommended.

Boleskine Graveyard

The Boleskine burial ground is undoubtedly one of the best known land marks on the south side of Loch Ness. Only a short walk from Foyers Lodge towards Inverfarigaig, between the road and the loch, it sits below Boleskine House, previously owned by Aleister Crowley, an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer and then later by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame. After your visit feel free to read up on the strange stories surrounding Boleskine House in one of the many books on the local area available to guests in the Sitting Room.

For Outlander fans, this is the final resting place of all the Frasers of the region. It also contains a memorial to Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, who was the last man to be beheaded at the Tower of London. In Outlander, Lord Lovat is the grandfather of Jamie Fraser.

Blogs and Itineraries

For a broad range of recent blogs and ideas for things to do during your stay, visit the ‘Inspire Me’ section on the Visit Inverness Loch Ness website. A comprehensive collection from some of Scotland’s best photographers, broadcasters and travel writers.

Events

North Coast 500

If you’re planning to do the NC500, why not take the opportunity to visit Loch Ness as part of your trip? We’re ideally located for a relaxing stay either at the beginning or end of your journey.

Etape Loch Ness

A cycle sportive around Loch Ness which offers the chance to cycle 66 miles (106 km) on traffic free roads. The 360° closed-road route around the loch starts and finishes in Inverness taking you right past our door. Etape Loch Ness takes place annually in April.

Loch Ness Marathon

The Loch Ness Marathon takes place in October and follows a spectacular point-to-point route along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness. Foyers Lodge is seven miles from the start and in the perfect position for your stay. Transportation to the starting line is available on the morning of the race from just outside the lodge – bookable in advance.