Inside stunning holiday spot on shores of Loch Ness – it was once home to monks but now has pool, sauna & gym

THERE can’t be many holiday apartments where the sights inside are just as stunning as the scenery outside — especially when you’re on the shores of Loch Ness.

But it was hard not to gasp as I stepped through the front door of my third-floor one in Fort Augustus.

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There in the hallway was the top of a huge stone column and arch, with another arch in the spacious sitting room and kitchen space.

And a third was above the master bedroom’s en-suite bathroom.

All part of an incredible conversion of what was previously a historic abbey and monastery.

The complex, comprising 97 apartments and 12 cottages set within 20 acres of landscaped grounds, is a unique base for visiting this tourism heartland.

And it takes a bit of touring itself. The former church, where monks once sent Gregorian chants soaring into the vaulted ceiling, now echo to the sounds of kids enjoying a game of table tennis.

Next to the cloisters in the central lawn there’s a giant chess set, with 3ft-high pieces. And a small side chapel has been turned into a health complex with heated pool, steam room, sauna and gym.

There’s also a tennis court and the club room boasts a full-size snooker table plus comfy chairs to sink into and enjoy a good book or natter.

But I was more interested in heading out to explore this fascinating area.

The small village of Fort Augustus is where Loch Ness is connected to Loch Oich by the Caledonian Canal.

And watching the whole process of vessels passing through the five locks was an entertainment in itself.

I joined the crowds sitting by the banks, sipping beer on benches outside the Lock Inn bar or eating ice-cream from cafes, chatting with the crews and passengers of pleasure boats as water poured into each lock to lift them up before large wooden gates opened to allow them to move on to the next stage.

Every souvenir shop, of course, has plenty of furry toys and T-shirts dedicated to the area’s world-famous, but shyest, resident — Nessie.
Sitting outside the Boathouse Restaurant at the south-west end of the loch is a pleasant place to take in views of his watery playground. The food’s good too.

And just outside the abbey’s grounds you can board one of the Cruise Loch Ness boats for a 50-minute monster hunt.

On the day we went it was flat calm, the decks were packed with tourists, and the elusive creature remained well out of sight.

Just up the road in Drumnadrochit you can immerse yourself in Nessie’s history and myths at the Loch Ness Centre. But I gave that a miss for the chance to enjoy a couple of refreshing outdoor pints at the nearby Fiddler’s pub.

Here you can enjoy top-class nosh indoors in their Highland restaurant or wolf down burgers or fish and chips from the food truck at the side.

We took the second option to stock up on carbs after a long day’s walking and sailing.

But we could just as easily have eaten in at our Abbey Holidays Loch Ness suite. The open-plan kitchen and sitting room boasted an electric oven, gas hob, dishwasher, microwave and washer/dryer.

GO: FORT AUGUSTUS

PRICES at Abbey Holidays Fort Augustus from £100 a night but vary depending on the property and season.

With a second bedroom and another bathroom, there was everything here for a family looking for a spacious and luxurious holiday home from home.

Next morning, I wandered down the road to Fort Augustus Golf Club, a charming wee nine-holer lying alongside the banks of the canal, where a friendly greenkeeper sorted me out with a bag of woods and irons plus some balls and tees. And off a-sclaffing I went, all for just £15.

There was much more I could have done if I had the time. Maybe bag a Munro or two or head off into the hills on my bike.

But at least I’d found a heavenly setting for future Highland treks. Amen.

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