Travel the Scottish Highlands for Just £2 This Summer - Here's Everywhere You Can Go Direct from Loch Ness
- Jay
- Mar 26
- 11 min read
Travelling around the Scottish Highlands is often high on the wish list of many backpackers arriving in Edinburgh, but it hasn't always been easy to explore this vast and scenic part of the country without a car. Things are finally beginning to change, thankfully, due to a new £2 single bus fare scheme that has launched across the Highlands as of March 2026.
It's now easier than ever for backpackers on a budget to explore the Scottish Highlands - you can take advantage of an incredible range of day trips and travel routes, from the dramatic mountains of the Isle of Skye to secluded castles and the starting points for picturesque hiking trails. Check out our guide to making the most of this new way to explore Scotland for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
We've included Google Maps links to all the locations, attractions, cafes, restaurants and bars you can visit in our guide below, to make it even easier for you to explore.
Start Your Journey on Loch Ness: The Perfect Base for Budget Travel
With an abundance of budget backpacker accommodation, epic views, and useful tourist amenities, there's little better place to base yourself for a trip to the Scottish Highlands than on the shores of Loch Ness. Bus routes included in the £2 bus fare scheme often transit through the backpacker hubs of Inverness and Fort William, but taking a step out of the major towns affords you the chance to immerse yourself in the epic surroundings and nature without losing any convenience.
Basing yourself at the Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh, on the banks of Loch Ness, direct buses to the Isle of Skye, Fort William, Inverness, and attractions at Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston and Fort Augustus stop directly at the hostel's front door. This makes it easy to take day trips to unforgettable locations and keep any bulky backpack or luggage at the hostel while you explore.
Onward travel is also made easy if you choose to stay on Loch Ness, given that you can easily take connecting transport back to Edinburgh or Glasgow from nearby transport hubs. It's all the excitement of staying in the middle of nature without the seclusion, and the social atmosphere at Lochside keeps your evenings just as active as your days, with nightly events to help you meet fellow travellers.
Hop on the Bus: Where You Can Go for £2 from Loch Ness
The Isle of Skye: Hikes, Coastlines and Wild Landscapes
Starting at the Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh, or alternatively travelling from Drumnadrochit or Inverness, you can now reach the Isle of Skye for just £2 when travelling on the Citylink 917 Bus. The bus only travels 3 times a day in each direction, so is likely to book up in advance given the popularity of the Isle of Skye as a destination during the summer.
This is the timetable for the 917 bus travelling outbound from now until May 15th 2026:
Inverness | 08:30 | 13:15 | 17:45 |
Drumnadrochit | 09:03 | 13:48 | 18:18 |
Lochside Hostel (Loch Ness) | 09:19 | 14:04 | 18:34 |
Invermoriston | 09:25 | 14:10 | 18:40 |
Sheil Bridge | 10:14 | 14:59 | 19:29 |
Dornie Bridge | 10:25 | 15:10 | 19:40 |
Kyle of Lochalsh | 10:40 | 15:25 | 19:55 |
Kyleakin (Skye) | 10:48 | 15:33 | 20:03 |
Broadford (Skye) | 11:02 | 15:47 | 20:17 |
Portree (Skye) | 11:50 | 16:30 | 20:57 |
There are a number of destinations on Skye you can explore as you step right off the bus - Portree, the scenic 'capital' of the island with a colourful harbour area, cosy independent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants with hearty Scottish food and local beers, as well as a picturesque walk around a popular local hilltop viewpoint at 'The Lump'.
Alternatively, you can leap off the 917 bus at Broadford, Skye's adventure hub, where there are easy onward connections to hiking the Cuillin Mountains, visible immediately as you arrive. Or stop off at Sligachan, home to the famous Sligachan Old Bridge, where the waters are said to be enchanted.
Looking for an overnight stay on Skye? There's no better spot than Kyleakin, the first village when you head across the bridge. Located next to the ruins of the mythic 13th Century Castle of an old Norwegian Queen, Castle Moil, there's a comfortable range of pubs and scenic views out to the bridge looking over the mainland of Scotland. Skye Backpackers is located right on the main street and is the perfect place to kip overnight on the 'Misty Isle':
Eilean Donan Castle: Outlander, Eat Your Heart Out!
One of the most iconic stops you can reach directly from Loch Ness, and handily also along the 919 bus route on its way to the Isle of Skye, is Eilean Donan Castle, the old stronghold of Clan Mackenzie sat on a small island where three Sea Lochs meet. You've likely seen it on postcards, calendars, and of course in the Outlander series, and it's just as impressive in person.
A day trip to Eilean Donan Castle is easy to do from Lochside Hostel, departing on the 919 at 09:19 and arriving just under an hour later at 10:14 at the Dornie Bridge stop. The journey is stunning, with scenery looking out onto Loch Cluanie and travelling down the steep and vast Glen Shiel, with waterfalls and wilderness surrounding on all sides. Tickets to enter Eilean Donan cost £13 for adults in 2026, though you can also take a nice leisurely walk around the outside and enjoy the view for free.
You can then return by the same bus in the afternoon from Dornie Bridge at 14:24, returning to the hostel by 15:30, still in time to join the evening's social activity!
The neighbouring village of Dornie has a nice selection of places to eat and drink, meaning you can combine your visit with a decent lunch before heading back to base.
Drumnadrochit & Urquhart Castle: Loch Ness Up Close
Don't be intimidated by the pronunciation of Drumnadrochit (the locals all just call it Drum anyways, and you can ask for a 'ticket to Drum' on the bus and the driver will understand what you mean!). The village is one of the main tourist hubs surrounding Loch Ness, located a short way from the shoreline in the scenic Glen Urquhart valley.
Drum itself is best known as home to the Loch Ness Centre, the building where the infamous 'Surgeons Photograph' of the Loch Ness Monster was taken. Recently refurbished, the centre plays host to an exhibition exploring the myths and legends surrounding the monster, and the ancient geological history of the Loch.
Just a short walk is the village centre, surrounding a pleasant park where you'll find nice places to eat and drink - including Fiddlers Restaurant, which serves up fresh local fare and craft beer. Be aware that prices in Drum are generally higher than other parts of the Highlands owing to its tourist-heavy nature. A short walk away is the Scotmid Coop Supermarket, where you can pick up a cheap packed lunch.
From the Lochside Hostel, you can take either the Citylink 917 or 919 buses towards Drumnadrochit for the most regular access to the village. Here is the timetable from now until May 15th 2026:
Bus No. | 919 | 919 | 917 | 919 | 919 | 917 | 919 | 919 | 917 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lochside Hostel | 08:49 | 10:49 | 11:30 | 12:49 | 14:49 | 15:30 | 16:49 | 18:54 | 20:09 |
Urquhart Castle | 09:01 | 11:01 | 11:42 | 13:01 | 15:01 | 15:42 | 17:01 | 19:06 | 20:21 |
Drumnadrochit | 09:05 | 11:05 | 11:46 | 13:05 | 15:05 | 15:46 | 17:05 | 19:10 | 20:25 |
Just a short walk from Drum you'll find one of the most visited attractions around the Loch at Urquhart Castle - dating back to the 13th century, and a site that played an important role during the ars of Scottish Independence. Today, the ruins of the castle sit dramatically on the edge of the loch, offering wide views across the water and a chance to explore one of Scotland’s most famous historic landmarks.
The Castle has its own bus stop, meaning from Lochside Hostel you can start a day trip by heading directly there in the morning, exploring the ruins, and taking a short 20 minute walk down to Drum village from there, with plenty of buses to take you back to the hostel later in the afternoon.
Invermoriston: A Quieter Side of the Highlands
Located just a short 5 minute bus journey from Lochside Hostel, the quaint village of Invermoriston offers a more relaxed opportunity to explore at your own pace. We recommend taking the Great Glen Way walking path directly from the hostel to start, and turning left with a short hike of 1hr 30mins you can arrive at Invermoriston, later you can take the bus back for just £2. As you arrive into the village walking, you're greeted with epic views into Glenmoriston and the mountains beyond, with the Loch on your left hand side.
In the village you'll find the Falls of Invermoriston, where you can get right up close to the waterfalls and make a great short walk on a sunny day. Also nearby is the curious Clog & Craft Shop, with local artisan goods on sale. Then, take a stroll up the road to the delightful Glen Rowan Cafe, with homemade baked goods, delicious lunches, and great locally sourced coffee, it also packs an unbeatable friendly atmosphere.
You can then take either the regular Citylink 917 or 919 bus back to the hostel for a short period, or loop back on the same walking path home. For full bus times, see the timetables towards Fort Augustus in the section below.
Fort Augustus: Canals and Boat Trips on Loch Ness
At the southern end of Loch Ness, the village of Fort Augustus is a popular stop for travellers exploring the Highlands by bus. The village sits on the Caledonian Canal, where you can watch boats move through the locks that connect Loch Ness to the West Coast of Scotland through Loch Oich and Loch Lochy (yes, it's really called that, but not for the reasons you'd think!).
You can either take the Citylink 917 Bus or newly launched Ember Bus service from Lochside Hostel to the town of Fort Augustus, where you can walk along the canal paths, watch boats move slowly through the locks, grab a nice pub lunch or a coffee, and also find out more about the engineering and history behind the canal at the Caledonian Canal Centre.
One of the main reasons you might visit the town is also to take a boat tour of Loch Ness, where Cruise Loch Ness offer regular departures leaving from the end of the Locks.
Here are the timetables for Ember Bus departures from Lochside Hostel to Invermoriston & Fort Augustus as of April 1st 2026:
Lochside Hostel | 05:15 | 06:15 | 06:57 | 08:10 | 09:23 | 10:49 | 11:50 | 13:05 | 14:19 | 15:33 | 16:44 | 17:52 | 18:57 |
Invermoriston | 05:19 | 06:19 | 07:01 | 08:14 | 09:27 | 10:53 | 11:54 | 13:09 | 14:23 | 15:37 | 16:48 | 17:56 | 19:01 |
Fort Augustus | 05:29 | 06:29 | 07:11 | 08:24 | 09:37 | 11:03 | 12:04 | 13:19 | 14:33 | 15:47 | 16:58 | 18:06 | 19:11 |
And here is the timetables for Citylink 919 Buses heading towards Invermoriston & Fort Augustus from Lochside Hostel from now until May 15th 2026:
Lochside Hostel | 09:19 | 09:59 | 11:59 | 13:59 | 14:04 | 15:59 | 17:59 | 18:34 | 18:59 |
Invermoriston | 09:25 | 10:05 | 12:05 | 14:05 | 14:10 | 16:05 | 18:05 | 18:40 | 19:05 |
Fort Augustus | X | 10:17 | 12:17 | 14:17 | X | 16:17 | 18:17 | X | 19:17 |
Inverness: The Capital of the Highlands
A trip to Loch Ness often ends in Inverness, known as the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Sitting at the northern end of the loch, Inverness is a small but lively city with restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and transport connections to the rest of Scotland. The newly refurbished interior of Inverness Castle now houses the city's museum, while bookworms flock to the iconic Leakey's Bookshop, housed inside an old church with a roaring fireplace.
You can make the most of local produce by heading down to the Black Isle Brewery Bar in the City Centre, where local organic beer and cider is brewed just over the bridge a few miles away. Be sure to check out their rooftop secret garden too. Also great for an afternoon's relaxing with a coffee is coffee shop Grain and Grind, with locally roasted coffee available at a reasonable price.
If you're wanting to experience a night out the Highlands way, Inverness offers you the best chance to drink pints with the locals - Church Street roars with revellers every weekend, and you'll find great live music at the Highlander Pub and MacGregor's. You'll soon hear about the local kick-ons spot, Johnny Foxes, open into the early hours and serving up pints of Guinness with musicians fighting to keep control of an often rowdy crowd.
If staying overnight in Inverness, look no further than Inverness Student Hotel, a cosy stop just near the city centre with a well-equipped kitchen, a handful of relaxed lounges, and reasonably priced dorm beds.
Here are the timetables for Ember Bus departures from Lochside Hostel to Inverness as of April 1st 2026:
Lochside Hostel | 07:33 | 09:20 | 10:35 | 11:49 | 12:54 | 14:16 | 15:32 | 16:47 | 18:06 | 19:04 | 20:08 | 21:11 | 22:15 |
Urquhart Castle | 07:45 | 09:32 | 10:47 | 12:01 | 13:06 | 14:28 | 15:44 | 16:59 | 18:18 | 19:16 | 20:20 | 21:23 | 22:27 |
Drumnadrochit | 07:51 | 09:38 | 10:53 | 12:07 | 13:12 | 14:34 | 15:50 | 17:05 | 18:24 | 19:22 | 20:26 | 21:29 | 22:33 |
Dochgarroch | 08:05 | 09:52 | 11:07 | 12:21 | 12:26 | 14:48 | 16:04 | 17:19 | 18:38 | 19:36 | 20:40 | 21:43 | 22:47 |
Inverness Bus Station | 08:23 | 10:11 | 11:26 | 12:40 | 12:45 | 15:09 | 16:23 | 17:38 | 18:57 | 19:55 | 20:59 | 22:02 | 23:06 |
And here is the timetables for Citylink 917 & 919 Buses heading towards Inverness from Lochside Hostel from now until May 15th 2026:
Bus No. | 919 | 919 | 917 | 919 | 919 | 917 | 919 | 919 | 917 |
Lochside Hostel | 08:49 | 10:49 | 11:30 | 12:49 | 14:49 | 15:30 | 16:49 | 18:54 | 20:09 |
Urquhart Castle | 09:01 | 11:01 | 11:42 | 13:01 | 15:01 | 15:42 | 17:01 | 19:06 | 20:21 |
Drumnadrochit | 09:05 | 11:05 | 11:46 | 13:05 | 15:05 | 15:46 | 17:05 | 19:10 | 20:25 |
Dochgarroch | 09:23 | 11:23 | 12:04 | 13:23 | 15:23 | 16:04 | 17:23 | 19:28 | 20:43 |
Inverness Bus Station | 09:44 | 11:44 | 12:25 | 13:44 | 15:44 | 16:25 | 17:44 | 19:43 | 20:58 |
Fort William: Gateway to Ben Nevis and Glencoe
At the western end of the Great Glen, Fort William is one of the main outdoor towns in the Scottish Highlands and a popular stop for travellers exploring the region by bus. You're likely to be travelling to Fort William as an onward journey from Lochside Hostel in Loch Ness, and while achievable as a day trip, it is more what surrounds Fort William that makes it appealing than the town centre itself. Consider an overnight stay at Fort William Backpackers before catching a bus or train onwards to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Oban.
The town sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. Many choose to climb the trail, which is relatively accessible to those used to hiking, and can be accessed through Glen Nevis by bus. and is also the main gateway to the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe.
While staying in Fort William, be sure to check out some great local spots including the Ben Nevis Bar, with its spectacular terrace looking out to Loch Linnhe behind the town. Also head for lunch or coffee at vegan spot The Wildcat.
Here are the timetables for Ember Bus departures from Lochside Hostel to Fort William as of April 1st 2026:
Lochside Hostel | 05:15 | 06:15 | 06:57 | 08:10 | 09:23 | 10:49 | 11:50 | 13:05 | 14:19 | 15:33 | 16:44 | 17:52 | 18:57 |
Invermoriston | 05:19 | 06:19 | 07:01 | 08:14 | 09:27 | 10:53 | 11:54 | 13:09 | 14:23 | 15:37 | 16:48 | 17:56 | 19:01 |
Fort Augustus | 05:29 | 06:29 | 07:11 | 08:24 | 09:37 | 11:03 | 12:04 | 13:19 | 14:33 | 15:47 | 16:58 | 18:06 | 19:11 |
Invergarry | 05:38 | 06:38 | 07:20 | 08:33 | 09:46 | 11:12 | 12:13 | 13:28 | 14:42 | 15:56 | 17:07 | 18:15 | 19:20 |
Fort William | 06:20 | 07:24 | 08:05 | 09:20 | 10:33 | 12:03 | 13:01 | 14:16 | 15:31 | 16:46 | 17:53 | 18:58 | 20:01 |
And here is the timetables for Citylink 919 Buses heading towards Fort William from Lochside Hostel from now until May 15th 2026:
Bus No. | 919 | 919 | 919 | 919 | 919 | 919 |
Lochside Hostel | 09:59 | 11:59 | 13:59 | 15:59 | 17:59 | 18:59 |
Invermoriston | 10:05 | 12:05 | 14:05 | 16:05 | 18:05 | 19:05 |
Fort Augustus | 10:17 | 12:17 | 14:17 | 16:17 | 18:17 | 19:17 |
Invergarry | 10:32 | 12:32 | 14:32 | 16:32 | 18:32 | 19:32 |
Fort William | 11:19 | 13:19 | 15:19 | 17:19 | 19:13 | 19:13 |
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