Campsites in Fort Augustus, Highlands and Islands

4 bookable campsites within 15 miles of Fort Augustus Sorted by distance

Why visit Fort Augustus?

Loch Ness

There are over 30,000 freshwater lochs in Scotland, but this one probably needs no introduction. Home (some say) to an ancient monster, it’s one of the deepest bodies of water in Scotland – in fact, Loch Ness has more of the wet stuff than all the rivers and lakes in England and Wales combined. 

Fort Augustus is right on the southern edge of Loch Ness, making it a great location for slow-paced walks or cycles around the water’s edge, spectacular boat cruises or riveting RIB rides. 

For a really romantic meal (or just a quick hot drink), Fort Augustus has a handful of lochside cafés and restaurants where you’ll be spoiled with a combination of great food and far-reaching views.  

The Caledonian Canal

As well as sitting on Loch Ness, Fort Augustus has direct access to the Caledonian Canal, an epic feat of engineering that connects up Scotland’s east and west coasts. 

Ambitious canoeists and paddlers can tackle all 60 miles of the canal’s length down to the sea at Fort William, where the amazing Neptune’s Staircase locks (45 minutes’ drive) make an excellent attraction in their own right. 

The flat towpath also provides a lot of scope for walking and gentle cycling by the water.

Hiking the Great Glen Way

Looking to stretch your legs? The long-distance Great Glen Way is an excellent opportunity to take in the best of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal, running along a mix of forestry tracks, well-beaten country paths and a few minor roads. 

Along the way, you’ll come across pine forests, spectacular mountains, castles, rivers and waterfalls, so make sure to pack a camera and a pair of boots that won’t get worn out before you do. 

Often, the path splits into high and low routes – although the former usually feature more hills, the views are more than worth it. 

The best things to do around Fort Augustus

In town 

  • Learn more about life on the waterways at the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre. 

  • Book a RIB ride or boat trip with Cruise Loch Ness for guided tours with great local knowledge.

  • Pitch up and then play a game or two at Fort Augustus Golf Club.

  • Stroll uphill through the trees at Allt na Criche waterfalls and viewpoint.

  • Admire Fort Augustus’ old-fashioned civic spirit at the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain.

The best things to do within an hour’s drive of Fort Augustus 

  • Take a short drive out of town and find inner peace by the Invermoriston Falls (10 minutes’ drive).

  • Admire the old ruins of Urquhart Castle (25 minutes) and Invergarry Castle (25 minutes).

  • Find yourself in Fort William (45 minutes) for mountaineering, scenic railway journeys or to take on a stretch of the West Highland Way.

  • Head to the only city in the Highlands, Inverness (an hour), and see the ancient Clach na Cudainn stone.

Delve deeper

On the trail of the Jacobites

As its name suggests, Fort Augustus has military roots, emerging as an important army base following the Jacobite Rising of 1715. The deposed Stuart monarchy continued to enjoy widespread support in this part of the Highlands until well into the 18th century, but by the early 1800s the rebels had been quashed and the army no longer saw much need for their old outpost on the banks of Loch Ness.

The old fort was bought by Benedictine monks, who used it as an abbey until the end of the 20th century, when the estate was converted into luxury flats. Today, only one bastion of the former structure remains.

Fort Augustus is nonetheless a great location for Jacobite history buffs, being located midway between important sites like the Culloden Battlefield to the east of Inverness and the iconic Glenfinnan monument and viaduct at the head of Loch Shiel (both an hour’s drive). 

Loch Oich and the Well of the Seven Heads 

Fort Augustus is five miles to the north of Loch Oich, a much smaller body of water than Loch Ness but one that’s home to just as many historic sights. 

A 10-minute drive from Fort Augustus is all it takes to arrive at Bridge of Oich, an elegant 19th-century suspension bridge with great views over the loch. Drive five minutes further down the A82 and you’ll reach the mysterious ruins of Invergarry Castle.

Just to the south, there’s also the Well of the Seven Heads, an eerie monument erected in the 1800s to commemorate a spate of cold-blooded clan murders from the 17th century. 

Highland arts and crafts

Fort Augustus is all about the great outdoors, but there’s also a fair bit of creativity in the air. 

Iceberg Glass has a glassblowing studio and shop that are well worth a visit, whether you’re after a miniature Nessie to take home with you or just want to watch the artists at work. 

Here’s how

Ready to find your feet in Fort Augustus? Find a campsite or glampsite on the shores of Loch Ness using the tick-box filters on this page, or keep reading to check out some our most popular options: 

You might also like to check out other wild Scottish destinations like Fort William (nearest to Ben Nevis), Oban, the gateway to the islands or Loch Lomond, the UK’s biggest lake. 

 

 

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