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. 5 The town of Fort Augustus marks start of the eastern end of the Caledonian canal.

5 The former abbey is now home to apartments and cottages. 5 There's loads to do inside the stunning property. 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.

READ MORE IN TRAVEL HIT THE SLOPES Inside revamp of Glencoe ski area with restaurant, snow cannons & gondola HIGH FLYER Jet2 launches biggest EVER summer programme for Scotland - here's five new trips 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 gy.