Loch Ness

Loch Ness Loch Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis) is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands (57°18′N 4°27′W) extending for approximately 37 km (23 mi) southwest of Inverness.

Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, also known as “Nessie”. There are many commercial tours on the loch for tourists who want to enjoy the scenic nature and, maybe, see the mythical monster.

Loch Ness is the largest body of water on the Great Glen Fault, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south. The loch is part of Caledonian Canal connecting the western and eastern seashores of Scotland.

Like many other lochs in this part of Scotland Loch Ness is of glacial origin. The loch is pretty lengthy and deep, yet its water is very muddy due to high peat content in the surrounding soil.

Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56.4 sq km (21.8 sq mi). But it is the largest by volume, since it is deeper than the other lochs. The Loch contains more fresh water than all lakes in England and Wales combined. Its deepest point is 230 m (755 ft).

The loch serves as a reservoir for the Foyers hydroelectric plants system, which is part of the National power system of Great Britain.

The only island on Loch Ness is situated at its southwestern end, near Fort Augustus. There are also artificial islands on the loch, so called crannogs.

On the shore of the loch there is a museum of the Loch Ness monster.