Nestled at the southern tip of Loch Ness in the village of Fort Augustus, The Lovat is a four-star Victorian hotel with a Michelin-listed restaurant, a whisky bar, and the kind of unhurried Highland atmosphere that makes you want to stay for a week rather than a night. Yes, the tasting menu is legendary. Yes, the rooms are gorgeous. But here's the thing — some of the very best experiences on offer here won't cost you a thing beyond your room rate.
Whether you're already a guest or simply exploring the area, here's what you can enjoy for free at and around The Lovat.
You don't have to travel far from The Lovat to find history. In fact, you're already standing in it. The hotel sits on ground so layered with the past that a single walk through Fort Augustus becomes a journey through more than a thousand years of Highland life — from a saint's church to a soldier's barracks, from Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Benedictines, from a Victorian railway hotel to the thriving community it is today.
The Lovat's history hunt map brings all of this to life, guiding guests through the stories embedded in the streets, walls, and waterways that surround the hotel. You can pick up a history hunt map at reception.
One of Scotland's most celebrated long-distance trails runs right past the hotel's front door. The Great Glen Way stretches 79 miles from Fort William to Inverness, and the section around Fort Augustus is among its most scenic. You can pick up the path directly from the hotel, with forestry river walks teeming with wildlife branching off in several directions. The hotel's reception team can point you in the right direction and hand you a walking map to take along.
Whether you fancy a short riverside stroll or something more ambitious along the loch shore, you'll be out in proper Highland countryside within minutes of leaving the building — for absolutely nothing.
The Scottish Highlands have a way of hiding their best secrets. Turn off the main road, follow a muddy path through ancient woodland, and you'll find yourself standing in front of something so dramatic, so quietly extraordinary, that the effort to get there immediately feels like the whole point. Waterfalls, in particular, have a hold on this landscape. The hills around Fort Augustus are laced with them — some well-known, some barely marked on any map — and staying at The Lovat puts you within easy reach of several of the finest.
One of the most exhilarating — and free — experiences available to guests at The Lovat.
There's a Scottish word you should know before you arrive at The Lovat. 'Dook'. It means to dip or plunge into water — specifically the kind of water that makes you gasp, laugh, and feel magnificently alive all at once. And at The Lovat, the Dook in question is no ordinary cold plunge. It's a Loch Ness Dook!
The Loch Ness Dook is exactly what it sounds like: a swim — or a bracing wade, depending on your nerve — in one of the most famous bodies of water on the planet. The Lovat offers guests the chance to experience it as part of their stay, with the team on hand to point you in the right direction, advise on access, and send you off with everything you need to make the most of it.
Scotland has 282 Munros — mountains that rise above 3,000 feet — and the Great Glen puts you within striking distance of a remarkable number of them. Fort Augustus is not just a pretty village at the end of Loch Ness. It is a launchpad. From The Lovat, some of the finest ridge walks, wildest corries, and most remote summits in the Highlands are accessible as a day trip or a short drive away. Whether you're a seasoned Munro-bagger, or someone considering their very first big hill, this is exceptional territory.
Every Munro involves significant ascent over varied and often challenging terrain. This is true even on the more straightforward routes. Before setting out on any of the mountains and Munros, make sure you research the area and weather, have the correct equipment such as walking boots and waterproofs. If you're planning to tackle your first summit, we recommend sourcing a guided walk.
The Lovat sits at the very heart of some of Scotland's most exciting mountain biking terrain.
There are few better ways to experience the Great Glen than from the saddle of a mountain bike. The landscape that surrounds Fort Augustus — canal towpaths, forest tracks, lochside trails, heather moorland, and high mountain passes with views that stretch to the horizon — is tailor-made for two wheels. And with The Lovat sitting right at the midpoint of the Loch Ness 360° Trail, guests are ideally positioned to dip into some of Scotland's most celebrated cycling routes, whether for a couple of hours or a full multi-day adventure.
Speak to our reception team for more information on hiring the Lovat mountain bikes.
Adventure doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to soak up the Highland magic for free during your stay. Speak to our reception team for information and advice.
