Dores on Loch Ness: Beach, Walks and Local History

Dores combines a beach on Loch Ness with walks and historic buildings. Three topics are especially interesting when planning your stay: the bathing water and views across the loch, different walking routes, and local history around the churches and listed buildings. The route descriptions differ in their paths and reference points—a good reason to keep their names distinct.

Beach and Views Across Loch Ness

Dores bathing water is on the northeastern shore of Loch Ness. The beach is made up of pebbles and sand and slopes down towards the water. Swimming is possible at Dores Beach. From the beach, you can see across the whole of Loch Ness. Bathing water, the shape of the shoreline and the views are all highlights here: visitors can experience the loch from the beach and let their gaze travel along its full length.

Distinguishing Between Walks and Routes

The Dores Beach and Torr Point Walk follows the shore to Torr Point and Aldourie, then returns to the village. Its described route therefore links the coast with both of these places and ends back in Dores. The Loch Ness 360 follows a different route: in Dores, it initially follows the pavement along the B862 main road towards Inverness. After about a mile, the route turns off beside Aldourie school. The approximate distance and turning point provide useful guidance.

The South Loch Ness Trail also has a specific section associated with Dores. The stage from Drumashie Moor down to Dores ends at the Dores Inn; the full trail currently ends in Fort Augustus. These details refer to different sections and endpoints. The Dores Inn is currently closed for redevelopment. Check its current status before your trip.

For the Caledonia Way, also known as National Cycle Network (NCN) 78, a Highland Council route update dated 27 May 2025 describes the route from the Dores roundabout along a shared-use path beside the Southern Distributor Road. The route may change. These options are easy to distinguish: a circular walk along the shore, a section of the Loch Ness 360 towards Inverness, and a described cycle route from the roundabout.

Churches and Local History

Dores Parish Church is listed as Listed Building (C) 537. Its listed features include the Sunday school room (former watch house), the burial ground and the entrance to the war memorial. An 1829 entry for the Church of Dores concerns the costs of building the new church. It provides a specific historical reference to the church and should not be confused with the buildings in the village that are dated later.

Before the Reformation, the Church of Dores belonged to the Abbey of Pluscarden. The Kirk Session of the Church of Dores belongs to the Presbytery of Inverness; records of its ministry date back to 1567, initially under Sir James Duff. These details offer different insights into the church's history: one concerns its earlier affiliation, the other the ministry recorded since the 16th century.

Further building and memorial history is recorded at several locations. Drumashie Lodge in Dores is designated a Category C listed building. The former Dores Free Church and manse buildings date from 1847. At the entrance to Dores churchyard is a memorial that was fully renovated for the centenary of the First World War. Nearby, the Red Cottage pit circle in the parish of Dores is designated a Scheduled Monument. Alongside the church buildings, local history therefore also offers a glimpse of a designated monument in the area.

Discover more destinations: Gairloch, Scarfskerry, Carbost, Invergordon, Dingwall, Drumnadrochit, Kyleakin, Insh

For the main travel overview: Highland.