An enchanting fort reminiscent of Hogwarts, overlooking a lake infamous for its resident monster – could there be a more magical setting for a family getaway? This was the backdrop as I embarked on my children’s first adventure to Loch Ness in Scotland.

Our base was the awe-inspiring Highland Club in Fort Augustus, situated at the far southern tip of the vast, mesmerising body of water. The chance to catch a glimpse of the mythical creature said to inhabit the brooding Loch was naturally a major thrill for my two young boys, aged nine and five. The topic of Nessie dominated our lengthy drive north, with the boys concocting their own theories about the eel-like beast – a long-surviving dinosaur being the favoured hypothesis.

Arriving at The Highland Club added another layer of excitement to our trip. We were led through the ancient Abbey cloisters, where we spotted a giant chess board straight out of The Traitors, before entering the former Abbey Church to locate our apartment.

The magnificent Fort Augustus Abbey, built in 1876 (though the original fort dates back to 1729), is a significant landmark in this region. As you embark on a boat ride across the Loch, it provides a majestic backdrop, enhancing the fairytale charm of this unique Scottish destination, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The Santon Group took over the building in 2012, investing a whopping £30million to transform what was once a decaying ruin into 109 apartments and cottages. A selection of these apartments were retained by the group and turned into award-winning self-catering lets.

Nestled within its own 23 acres of land, guests staying at The Highland Club can explore the gardens and admire the breathtaking views across Loch Ness. All accommodations are self-catering, offering families the luxury holiday experience without the hefty hotel bills.

We had the privilege of staying in one of the two apartments on the site that boast a rooftop terrace, providing us with unparalleled views of Loch Ness. Other rooms across the site offer vistas of the Loch, the Great Glen or the adjacent Caledonian Canal.

Our apartment was situated within an eccentric tower of the former church, spanning six floors – ensuring we more than hit out quota of steps during this holiday. Period features have been preserved and restored, such as the original stained glass windows in our main living and dining room area.

Our bedrooms were located on the top floor, and the children were thrilled to find gift bags on their beds – a treat provided for all children under 12 staying at the apartments.

As guests at The Highland Club, you can enjoy a range of amenities including an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, the Club Lounge and snooker room. For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a tennis court, a football pitch and a woodland play area that children will adore.

On one of the rainy days during our stay, we made the most of the site’s unique offerings, such as the multi-sports simulator room with giant video screens. For £40 per hour and 15 minutes, we had a blast pretending to play tennis at Wimbledon and take penalty shootouts at the Bernabeu.

The club staff can also arrange additional activities for those seeking more adventure, such as archery, kayaking, rafting and fishing.

Given the long drive from our home in the north west to Scotland (a whopping 6 and a half hours), we were eager to explore the Loch Ness area. Naturally, this included a boat ride, which departs daily from a mooring adjacent to The Highland Club in Fort Augustus.

We opted for a family ticket costing £65 for the Cruise Loch Ness trip. The roughly hour-long journey took us halfway across the Loch, with the knowledgeable sailors providing plenty of information about the legends of Loch Ness.

Intriguingly, the tour even included a glimpse of the sonar radars beneath the boat, revealing the underwater activity that has fuelled countless theories about the creatures lurking in the depths of the Loch.

Nessie mania proved irresistible for my two lads, so off we scooted towards Drumnadrochit, a locale famed for its Nessie-themed attractions. Our little adventure brought us to the charmingly unpretentious Nessieland, which cost us a mere £25.99 for a family ticket – a bargain if you ask me.

There were interactive exhibits, lots of giant snake and dinosaur toys, and even a snug play corner. Adding a touch of education was the cinema room, screening a Loch Ness monster film that utterly captivated my nine-year-old, spinning tales of shadowy figures that have stoked the imaginations for ages.

Not far from there stood the majestic Urquhart Castle, steeped in cinematic glory and a staple in the albums of countless travellers.

Our February jaunt treated us nicely weather-wise, though Fort Augustus’s “low season” timing meant many local establishments had shut their doors, including The Highland Club’s Boathouse restaurant, not reopening until April.

With fewer dining options, we turned to home-cooking, a choice rather kind to our wallets.

The village does offer a small grocery shop and a petrol station, and should one crave more, Inverness is a mere 45-minute drive away, boasting sizable supermarkets and a plethora of eateries and retail outlets.

My two young boys and I had a truly enchanting first visit to Scotland, particularly due to the magical setting of The Highland Club, which left us with unforgettable memories of a place rich in myth and legend.

Travel factfile

Dianne was a guest at The Highland Club at Fort Augustus, Scotland. Apartments range from £300 per night to £1300 per night, depending on apartment size and season.

There is an on-site reception exclusively for the use of guests of apartments with complimentary fruit, drinks and snacks available throughout the day, plus an optional daily cleaning service – at no extra fee.

It is recommended to book direct to receive a 10% discount at www.thehighlandclub.co.uk.

How to get there

The journey to Loch Ness from the north west is quite lengthy, taking us 6hrs 40 minutes to cover the 360 miles by car.

Alternatively, you can fly directly to Inverness Airport from Manchester, followed by a 43-mile drive to Loch Ness.

Inverness also has a mainline train station with direct services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London Kings Cross and Euston.