It's said a picture is worth a thousand words and that is certainly true of magnificent Loch Ness with its spectacular scenery both from the loch itself, around the shores and looking down from the hills and forests. There is an amazing scene every which way you look.
It is, therefore, no surprise that Loch Ness is the most photographed countryside attraction in Britain, according to a recent survey of more than 100,000 photographs shared on Instagram last summer.
The survey was conducted by Rieker, who wanted to discover which places were most appealing to tourists. The Surrey Hills were second followed by Hadrian's Wall, Helvellyn Peak in the Lake District and Tryfan at Snowdonia.
I can endorse this area as a paradise for photos, having been associated with photographers and film makers for over 25 years and assisted with finding locations for all sorts of projects from full films to documentaries, fashion shoots, pop videos, and adverts.
The time of year doesn't matter at Loch Ness as the scenery can be stunning in the middle of winter as well as the height of summer.
As the loch is long and narrow, some amazing horizon shots of the sun rising and setting can be achieved. Also our Loch Ness cruise boats can act as platforms for some amazing shots from the surface of the loch as you see the landscape in a completely different perspective.
Here are five locations I recommend for some great photographs around and close to Loch Ness, starting from the eastern Inverness end and working the way west towards Fort Augustus.
- Two Great building photographs here are Bona Lighthouse and close by Aldourie Castle. They can be shot from the loch aboard one of our boats sailing from Dochgarroch Lock.
- Abriachan is an old rural community above Loch Ness. On the road off the A82 there are one or two vantage points looking down on the loch from a heigh over to Tor Point and the village of Dores.
- At the Clansman Harbour where we sail from, to the left of our ticket office is the Witches' Rock, an iconic boulder with great myth and legend. It makes a great picture looking down the loch.
- Urquhart Castle is another iconic location and probably the most photographed part of the loch. You can sail with us and disembark at the castle. Then you can explore all of the nooks and crannies and take many photographs. You can also get height from the Grant Tower and looking down from the visitor centre.
- Dhivach Falls, above the village of Drumnadrochit, is another great spot. It is situated in a fairy tale glen falling in to the River Coiltie with the Dhivach Lodge at the top.
The light here at Loch Ness and in the surrounding glens is unpolluted. It is so pristine that a leading international lens manufacturer used to come here - particularly Glen Affric - to test their new camera lenses.
So it's time for you to get snapping. We are looking forward to seeing your images of spectacular Loch Ness and the surrounding area.
- Willie Cameron