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Formed by and in a natural fault in the Earth's crust (The Great Glen), it's the largest fresh water mass in The UK, providing a navigable link between the North Sea and The Atlantic Ocean, whilst at the same time of course being 'home' to Nessie.

On the northern shores of Loch Ness is the famous Urquhart Castle with it's commanding views over the loch.

Complimented today by it's own visitor information centre the castle provides a point of reference for the sheer size of Loch Ness.

With  the sound of his pipes being the crowning evocative strand to his backdrop of Loch Ness, and perhaps also sometimes just maybe, just maybe attracting 'Nessie'.

At the southern end of Loch Ness is the highland village of Fort Augustus, sitting astride the Caledonian Canal.

Famous for it's navigable locks ( as opposed to lochs ) Fort Augustus also offers a half way point in the 60 mile circular tour around Loch Ness.

Nessie hunting boat trips are available from here.

The canal provides an easy walk, through the centre of The Great Glen, with unparalleled highland scenery at every step.

Locking northeast from the very southern end of Loch Ness at Fort Augustus, the loch stretches for 24 miles to the horizon and the North Sea.

That's quite a bit of water for our illusive monster to hide in, no doubt contributing to the infrequency of her sightings.

The ever changing moods of Loch Ness provide  stunning vistas at any time of the year.

The nature of the Loch can be best summed up in one of our local sayings, "if you don't like the weather, just you hold on 10 minutes'

A genuine picture of Nessie, famously taken by a doctor in 1977.

When looking for Nessie yourself, remember that at some points the loch is nearly 1 mile wide, so you will need some good binoculars and of course a camera that takes genuine photos.

footnote:-
Unless you believe in Nessie, you'll never see her!