Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is not a golf course; it is a Historic Scotland heritage site by Drumnadrochit, near Inverness, on the shores of Loch Ness. The surviving ruins occupy a rocky promontory with an open outlook up and down the loch. The site represents more than 1,000 years of history and was once one of Scotland’s largest castles, functioning as a medieval fortress for approximately 500 years.

The castle changed hands between the Scots and English during the Wars of Independence, while the Lords of the Isles regularly raided the castle and glen until the 1500s. Government troops stationed there during the Jacobite Risings destroyed the castle with explosives when they left. Visitors can see the Great Hall, a prison cell and a full-sized trebuchet, then climb Grant Tower for panoramic views of Loch Ness and the Great Glen.

The visit includes an audio guide that operates on the visitor’s own device and is included in the ticket price. Standard admission is booked for a specific date and time, with family and carer ticket options. The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass costs £48 for adults, £39 for concessions, £29 for children aged 7–15, or £100 for a family during 1 April–31 October 2026; it is valid for 14 consecutive days.

Urquhart Castle is accessed from the Drumnadrochit area near Inverness. Visitors are advised to book online in advance, particularly Explorer Pass holders seeking guaranteed entry. The pass allows one visit to the property, and children under seven are free when using the listed Explorer Pass categories.