The best free viewpoints over Loch Ness

The best views of Loch Ness are free, and most of them aren't where the coach parties stop. You need a car for a couple of these, but none of them cost anything and none involve a ticket office.

Dores Beach, at the northern end, is the one I send everyone to first — a shingle beach with the loch stretching away dead straight to the south, a decent pub behind you, and none of the Nessie tat. Get there for the evening light.

Further down, the forest car park above Inverfarigaig gives you the classic high-angle shot down the Great Glen. It's a short, steep walk and you'll usually have it to yourself.