The 2027 race is on Sunday 26 September. Runners can't reach the remote start on their own, and registration, coaches and the finish are all in Inverness. Here's where to stay, how the coaches work and what to book first.
Race morning begins long before the gun. At around seven, runners gather outside Inverness Ice Centre in old layers, carrying labelled kit bags and trying not to think about the exposed Highland moor waiting at the other end of the coach ride.
That early journey is why Loch Ness Marathon accommodation needs more thought than a normal city-race hotel. The organiser recorded 10,700 entries across all distances in 2025, including a record 5,800 marathon entries, with half of marathon runners travelling from outside Scotland. Thousands of runners and supporters compete for a limited pool of Inverness beds, and the official 2025 event report shows how quickly the weekend has grown.
The next Baxters Loch Ness Marathon after this year's race takes place on Sunday, 26 September 2027. The route starts on remote moorland above Loch Ness and finishes at Bught Park in Inverness. Registration, the main coach departure, baggage return and the festival finish all pull you back to the city. Book around those facts and the weekend works. Ignore them and a pretty loch-side cottage can become a transport problem with nice scenery.
What Makes Loch Ness Marathon Transport Different From a City Race?
The Loch Ness Marathon is a point-to-point race with a remote start that runners cannot reach independently. The organiser transports marathon entrants by coach, while registration, baggage return, the finish line and the Event Village are based at Bught Park in Inverness.
The full marathon starts between Whitebridge and Fort Augustus on the south side of Loch Ness. Runners follow the loch towards Dores, enter Inverness and finish at Bught Park. That is 26.2 miles of running, but the logistics flow in the opposite direction first.
The organiser states there is strictly no spectator or vehicle access to the start. A partner cannot simply drop you there and meet you with coffee. Inverness hosts registration, the main coach departure, baggage return and the finish, so that layout should shape your accommodation choice.
When Is the Next Loch Ness Marathon and What Is Confirmed?
The 2027 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is confirmed for Sunday, 26 September 2027. Interest registration is open, but the detailed 2027 timetable, coach windows, pickup deadlines, parking plan and road restrictions had not been published when this guide was written.
The official Loch Ness Marathon FAQ confirms the 2027 date. It also sets out the operating plan for the 2026 race on Sunday, 27 September 2026: Saturday registration at Bught Park, Sunday coaches from Inverness Ice Centre, a 10:00 marathon start and a seven-hour cut-off at 17:00.
Use those 2026 details to understand the shape of the weekend, not as a promise for 2027. The organiser emails each runner's bib number and Event Guide at least two weeks before the race, and that Event Guide should overrule every blog, saved screenshot and old social post.
Where Should Runners Stay for the Loch Ness Marathon?
Most runners should stay in Inverness, ideally within walking distance of Bught Park or with a reliable early-morning taxi plan. West-bank accommodation simplifies race morning, while central and eastern bases can work when transport, parking and the return journey are settled in advance.
Bught Park matters more than proximity to Loch Ness. Start your search around the Event Village and Inverness Ice Centre, then expand according to how much complexity you will tolerate at 06:30.
| Area | Race-morning plan | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bught and Ballifeary | Walk to Inverness Ice Centre | Solo runners and first-timers | Small supply and strong event demand |
| Haugh and west-bank riverside | Walk along the River Ness | Runners wanting convenience and central dining | Some streets face race restrictions |
| City centre and station area | Longer walk, taxi or planned drop-off | Rail travellers and supporters | River crossing and busy Sunday roads |
| Crown and Kingsmills | Taxi, lift or a determined walk | Hotel guests who want city access | Less simple than the west bank before 07:00 |
| Milton of Culloden and east Inverness | Pre-booked taxi or driver drop-off | Families, groups and road travellers | Not walkable to Bught Park |
| Loch-side villages | Pre-booked organiser pickup | Travellers already based around the loch | No organiser return to those villages after the race |
Bught, Ballifeary and the West Bank
These neighbourhoods give runners the cleanest plan: walk to the coach, finish nearby and avoid event parking altogether. Guest houses, apartments and small hotels line the west bank, but supply is limited and the obviously walkable rooms go first.
Check the route rather than trusting a distance label. For the 2026 race the organiser closed the Infirmary Bridge to pedestrians and cyclists from 08:30 to 17:00, so annual restrictions can turn a short line on a map into a detour.
Inverness City Centre
Central Inverness suits rail travellers and supporters wanting restaurants and the station nearby. Don't assume every river crossing will be open or that a taxi will appear instantly before seven.
The comparison of places to stay near Inverness separates central, airport-side and outlying locations. On race weekend, judge each address by its journey to Inverness Ice Centre.
East Inverness and Milton of Culloden
Eastern Inverness suits groups wanting kitchens, parking and road access. Runners need a booked taxi, a willing driver or another firm plan to reach the coach departure.
The distinction drawn in where to stay in Inverness with free parking matters here, because a guaranteed space at your accommodation and event-day parking are entirely different things.
Does a Self-Catering Base Outside the Centre Work for Marathon Weekend?
Yes, for runners travelling with family or friends who want a kitchen, living space and private parking, provided race-morning transport is arranged. It is the wrong choice for a solo runner who wants to walk to the coach or is relying on a spontaneous taxi.
Mardon Holiday Home is one local example of this kind of base. It sits in Milton of Culloden beside the A96, around 15 minutes by car from the airport and the city centre in ordinary traffic. Bught Park is farther west, and event congestion can lengthen the journey. Because the property is close to the A96 and the railway, some guests may notice road or rail noise in front-facing rooms, which is worth knowing if you sleep lightly before a race.
The two-bedroom Main House sleeps up to five with a double bedroom, a twin bedroom and a sofa bed. The one-bedroom Annex sleeps up to three using a double bed and a sofa bed. Both have a private entrance, kitchen, bathroom, living space, Wi-Fi, washing machine and gated parking.
That combination is what matters on a marathon weekend. You can prepare the breakfast you tested in training, wash damp kit and recover somewhere other than a bed. Nobody discovers on Saturday night that the hotel's breakfast starts after the coaches leave.
Groups of up to eight can request both units as two bookings on the same dates when both are free, and the group accommodation page explains how the beds and minimum stays work.
The honest test for any non-walkable property, this one included:
- It works if someone can drive or you reserve an early taxi well in advance.
- It works if your party values separate living space, a kitchen and parking.
- Choose a west-bank room instead if walking to the coach with no vehicle plan is the priority.
- Avoid it if nobody has taken responsibility for the early journey.
How Does Transport to the Marathon Start Work?
Marathon runners must use organiser coaches because there is no private access to the start. Inverness coaches leave from the Ice Centre early on Sunday without pre-booking, while loch-side pickups must be booked in advance and have no return service after the Inverness finish.
For the 2026 race, runners using Inverness transport are asked to arrive at Inverness Ice Centre on Bught Drive between 07:00 and 07:30. Coaches depart from 07:30 to 07:50 and the journey to the start takes around an hour. Inverness coaches do not need pre-booking.
The exact 2027 times may change. The sequence probably will not:
- Collect your bib and Event Guide during the published registration window.
- Pack one kit bag and label it as the Event Guide instructs.
- Reach the confirmed coach point before its arrival deadline.
- Travel by organiser coach to the moorland start.
- Drop your kit bag at the baggage vehicle before the race.
- Run to Bught Park, where the bag is returned at the Event Village.
What Happens If You Stay Beside Loch Ness?
The 2026 plan offers pre-booked pickups from Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus on the north side, and from Dores, Inverfarigaig, Lower Foyers, Foyers Stores, the B862/B852 junction and the Whitebridge Hotel on the south side.
The organiser does not provide return transport to those locations after the race. A runner who leaves a car there still finishes in Inverness, tired and a substantial road journey away.
Choose a loch-side base only when a supporter, private transfer or your accommodation has solved the return. "We'll find a taxi afterwards" is not a plan on event Sunday.
What Should Spectators Know About Race-Day Transport?
Spectators should base their day around Inverness, not the remote start. There is no spectator access to the start line, while the final four miles through Inverness and the free Event Village at Bught Park are the most practical places to watch.
The organiser recommends the final four miles for the best vantage points, and everyone is welcome at the Event Village to welcome runners home. Entry is free, with street food, live music, pipe bands and children's activities, while the shorter races add to the same festival weekend.
Share the bib number, but don't promise live tracking. The organiser does not offer it because of the terrain, so agree a realistic finish window and allow for hills and weather.
Parking needs planning too. For 2026 there is no parking at Bught Park, the surrounding residential streets, the Ice Centre or Inverness Leisure Centre, apart from disabled parking about 200m from the Event Village. Drivers are directed to paid public car parks, including the Highland Council HQ on Glenurquhart Road and the Cathedral car park on Ness Walk, followed by a walk. Confirm the 2027 map before choosing a spectator route.
When children are joining the weekend, the practical points on family accommodation in Inverness come into play. Separate bedrooms, a kitchen and laundry can matter more than shaving ten minutes off an adult's walk.
How Should You Travel to Inverness for Marathon Weekend?
Arrive in Inverness by Friday when possible, or early on Saturday with enough margin for registration. Rail suits central stays, flights suit airport-side bases and cars suit self-catering properties, but every runner should protect the compulsory registration window from delays.
By Train
Inverness has direct trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow and parts of England, plus the overnight Caledonian Sleeper. Reserve seats and check engineering notices through ScotRail.
Sunday evening is the risky return. A Sunday night removes the station scramble and gives you somewhere to shower, which matters because showers and changing are not available to participants at Inverness Leisure Centre.
By Air
Inverness Airport lies east of the city. A delayed Saturday flight can threaten registration, so a Friday arrival is calmer.
Choosing between accommodation near Inverness Airport and a west-bank room comes down to race morning: airport-side stays ease arrival, while Bught-side stays ease Sunday.
Anyone landing late should confirm the final bus, car-hire desk or taxi in advance. The issues around a late arrival at Inverness Airport become sharper when Saturday registration is compulsory.
By Car
Driving gives groups room for kit, but it does not unlock the start or parking at Bught Park. Treat the car as transport to your accommodation, not a race-morning shortcut.
Choose accommodation with confirmed parking and leave the car there when another race-morning option is safer. On Sunday, road closures cover the event routes and the area around the Event Village, and navigation apps may not pick them up in time.
When Should You Book Loch Ness Marathon Accommodation?
Book as soon as your entry plan and cancellation terms allow, ideally nine to twelve months ahead for walkable rooms or multi-bedroom stays. Inverness fills early, and waiting for the final Event Guide leaves you choosing from expensive or logistically awkward leftovers.
The 2025 festival had 10,700 entries, and general entry to the 2026 marathon and River Ness 10K sold out. One weekend concentrates visitors around the same few neighbourhoods.
Prioritise bookings in this order:
- Secure accommodation with workable cancellation terms.
- Confirm the runner's entry or register for official alerts.
- Decide whether a Sunday night is needed for recovery and the journey home.
- Reserve rail seats, flights or car hire.
- Book an early race-morning taxi if the property is not walkable.
- Recheck the official Event Guide when it arrives, at least two weeks before race day.
The general advice on how far ahead to book self-catering in Inverness is more urgent for marathon weekend, because multi-bedroom and group properties disappear early.
Read the total price and policies before paying, wherever you book. For Mardon, the booking terms explain payment and stay conditions and the cancellation policy sets out refund windows.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Property?
Check the exact address, the journey to the coach point, Saturday check-in, Sunday checkout, breakfast access, luggage storage, parking and cancellation terms. A good marathon stay supports the whole weekend, including bib collection, the early departure and a shower after finishing.
Ask these questions before booking:
- Can I walk to Inverness Ice Centre before 07:00?
- If not, can a taxi be reserved for the time I need?
- Can I prepare or get breakfast before leaving?
- Is parking included, and can the car stay put during Sunday road closures?
- Can luggage stay after checkout?
- Is late checkout possible, or should I book Sunday night?
- Does the bed layout suit every runner and supporter?
- Are towels, laundry facilities and heating included?
Hotels may win on reception, location and luggage storage. Holiday homes may win on breakfast control, laundry, parking and recovery space. The self-catering versus hotel comparison works best when you cost the whole party, not a single room.
Checkout deserves attention. A Saturday-only booking means leaving before the coach and finishing with nowhere to change. Sunday night is not an indulgence when the event provides no showers.
What Should Runners Pack for the Coach and Remote Start?
Pack a warm throwaway layer, a waterproof shell, a labelled kit bag, a tested breakfast, race nutrition and a fully charged phone. The organiser transports your kit bag back to Bught Park, so plan separately for the exposed wait before the start and for recovery after finishing.
Keep race essentials on your body. The kit bag leaves you before the gun, and rummaging through luggage at the last moment is a reliable way to misplace gloves or gels.
| Carry to the start | Put in the finish bag | Leave at the accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Bib, watch, phone and race nutrition | Dry top, warm layer and recovery snack | Travel clothes and valuables |
| Waterproof or throwaway outer layer | Comfortable shoes and spare socks | Bulky toiletries and extra luggage |
| Hat, gloves and toilet supplies | Small towel and any medication you need | Anything the event rules prohibit |
Weather beside Loch Ness can shift quickly. Pack for cold rain even if the forecast looks friendly, but don't introduce new kit on race morning. Chafing is unimpressed by scenery.
How Can You Plan the Full Marathon Weekend?
Arrive on Friday, register and visit the Expo on Saturday, take the organiser coach early on Sunday and stay Sunday night if you can. That schedule protects the compulsory steps, gives supporters a clear plan and removes the pressure of travelling straight after 26.2 miles.
Friday: Reach Inverness Without a Deadline
Check in, buy familiar breakfast food and confirm both routes: to registration and to the coach point. If you need a Sunday taxi, book it now and ask whether road closures affect the pickup.
Saturday: Collect the Bib and Settle the Details
For 2026, registration runs from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday at the Event Village, and you need photo ID. A friend can collect on your behalf with their own photo ID and a signed letter or email from you, but there are no event-day entries for the marathon.
Walk from registration to Inverness Ice Centre while it is light. Eat early, lay everything out and stop checking the forecast every six minutes.
Sunday: Coach, Race, Finish and Recover
Leave enough margin for a late taxi or a wrong turn. Take the organiser coach, label the finish bag securely and keep warm at the start. Supporters should head for the final miles in Inverness rather than try to follow by car.
After finishing, collect your bag from the Event Village. With a Sunday night booked, food, a shower and sleep are already solved. That is a very good thought to hold on to at mile 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is the Loch Ness Marathon in 2027?
The 2027 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon takes place on Sunday, 26 September 2027. The organiser has opened registration of interest for early-bird entry updates.
Where does the Loch Ness Marathon start and finish?
The marathon starts on remote moorland between Whitebridge and Fort Augustus on the south side of Loch Ness and finishes at the Event Village in Bught Park, Inverness.
Can runners drive to the Loch Ness Marathon start?
No. There is no spectator or private vehicle access to the marathon start. Runners travel on the organiser's coaches, either from Inverness Ice Centre or from a pre-booked loch-side pickup.
Where is the best place to stay for the Loch Ness Marathon?
Inverness is the best base for most runners, because registration, the main coach departure, the finish, baggage return and the Event Village are all at or beside Bught Park. Bught and Ballifeary are the easiest areas for walking to the coaches.
Is Mardon Holiday Home within walking distance of Bught Park?
No. Mardon is in Milton of Culloden on the eastern side of Inverness. Guests need a pre-booked taxi, a driver drop-off or another confirmed plan for the early coach departure.
Can you register for the Loch Ness Marathon on race morning?
No. Marathon runners collect their bib at Saturday registration with photo ID, and there are no event-day entries. A friend can collect for you with their own photo ID and a signed letter or email from you.
Is there parking at Bught Park on marathon day?
Only disabled parking, about 200m from the Event Village. For 2026 there is no general parking at Bught Park, the nearby residential streets, the Ice Centre or Inverness Leisure Centre, and drivers are directed to paid public car parks in the city.
Do loch-side coaches return runners after the race?
No. The organiser does not provide return transport to the loch-side pickup locations. Those runners finish in Inverness and need their own way back to their accommodation or vehicle.
How many nights should you book for Loch Ness Marathon weekend?
Three nights, Friday to Sunday, is the least stressful arrangement. It protects Saturday registration and gives you a shower and a recovery night before travelling home on Monday.
About the author
Bushra
Host, Mardon Holiday Home
Bushra hosts both self-catering units at Mardon in Milton of Culloden and answers every direct enquiry herself. These guides come from questions guests actually ask before booking.