Urquhart Castle occupies one of the finest sites in the Scottish Highlands: a promontory of rock jutting into Loch Ness, with the dark water stretching away in both directions and the hills of the Great Glen rising beyond. The castle has been a fortified site since at least the 6th century, and the ruins that remain are largely 16th century. Historic Environment Scotland manages the site, and the visitor centre at the base does an excellent job of explaining the castle's long and turbulent history.
The Grant Tower at the northern end of the site is the best-preserved section and gives a sense of what a great Highland castle looked like in the late medieval period. Climb to the top for views over the loch that are among the best in Scotland. The site is popular in summer and early morning visits avoid the worst of the crowds. There is a small car park at the entrance and an hourly bus service from Inverness stops nearby.