Loch Ness is a vast freshwater lake situated in the Scottish Highlands, stretching approximately 37 kilometers (about 23 miles) in a southwestern direction from Inverness.
Its name is derived from the River Ness, which originates at the northern tip of the lake. Loch Ness is most famous for the reported sightings of the enigmatic Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as “Nessie” in Scottish Gaelic, or “Niseag.”
This lake is part of a network of interconnected, dark-colored bodies of water in Scotland, with very poor water visibility due to the high peat content in the surrounding soil. To the south, it connects to Loch Oich through the River Oich and a segment of the Caledonian Canal. To the north, it links to Loch Dochfour via the River Ness, eventually leading to the North Sea through the Moray Firth.