Inverness welcomes you with quite charm. Rugged highlands, imposing castles, standing stones, and a legendary monster make up some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. Whether you are looking for history, battlefields, museums, nature, shopping, or a small dram of whiskey, Inverness is the place to be. Check out these fabulous things to see and do in and round Inverness.
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Inverness Castle & Cathedral
Start at the Inverness Castle, where you can get your bearing and enjoy views over the River Ness. Following a massive renovation, the castle transformed into a major visitor attraction. Take an interactive journey through Highland history at the Inverness Castle Experience.
After visiting the castle, take a short stroll across and down the river (.2 miles) to Inverness Cathedral. Constructed in the late 1860s, this Gothic Revival masterpiece is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
Both the castle and the cathedral boast wonderful places to grab a bite to eat and gift shops.
Visit the Monster
No visit is complete without heading to Loch Ness. Take a boat cruise and scan the waters for the legendary Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Even if you don’t find her, it is nice to simply soak in the beauty of the loch from the water.
Urquhart Castle is located at Loch Ness and is a great place to get stunning views of the loch. Perhaps you will spot Nessie from the castle! Urquhart Castle is in ruins, but it is a fascinating place to explore.
Forts & Battlefields
Whether you are interested in the battles of the Jacobites, or more modern warfare, the Inverness area will not let you down.
Culloden
Explore the Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite rising came to a tragic end on April 16, 1746. Walk the battlefield trail marked by flags and the 1881 Memorial Cairn. Take time to explore the interactive visitor center for a powerfully immersive and moving experience.
Fort George
Visit Fort George, an impressive 18th-century fortress that still stands guard over the Moray Firth. It was built following the Battle of Culloden to serve as aa base for King George II’s army and prevent further uprisings in the Highlands.
It continues to serve as an active military base for the Black Watch (3 SCOTS) of the British Army. But is also houses a significant collection of uniforms, weapons, and other memorabilia in The Highlander’s Museum. On a more fun note, it also happens to be one of the best spots in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins.
Check Out the Stones
Fans of Outlander know that Claire Fraser touched some standing stones near Inverness and found herself transported to 18th century Scotland and a very handsome Highlander known as Jaimie Fraser. These particular stones are, unfortunately, fictitious. However, there are some stones near Inverness that you can touch and see what happens! You will have to decide if it is worth it. Do you want to get up close and personal with Jaimie Fraser, or have the luxury of in-door plumbing? Ladies will understand the temptation if you have watched even one episode of the show.
Clava Cairns features three cairns and three standing stone circles of the Bronze Age. These 4,000-year-old structures were built to house the ashes of the dead until the Winter Solstice. After a ceremony on that day to release the deceased’s spirit, the ashes would have been scattered.
Nature Lovers
Nature lovers will find endless inspiration inside and just outside the city.
Merkinch Local Nature Reserve
Enjoy walking trails, right in the city, at Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. Watch for roe deer, herons, and various wading birds.
Chanonry Point
Head to Chanonry Point, one of the best places in the UK to spot dolphins from shore. Also watch for ospreys diving for salmon and red deer in the nearby woodlands.
Dolphin Tours
Check out a boat tour to spot dolphins, seals, otters, and ospreys in the Moray Firth. Boat leave directly from Inverness Marina.
Museums and Galleries
Inverness is an art and history lovers paradise. Check out these museums!
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Dive into local history at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Exhibits bring Highland culture and heritage to life. This is a wonderful combination of historical pieces and art exhibitions all under one roof.
The Highlanders Museum
This regimental military museum of the Queens Own Highlander Collection is located on the grounds of Fort George, overlooking the Moray Firth.
Highland Archive Center
Trace your family tree at the Highland Archive Center. This is a great place to visit for ancestry searches. Their records date back to the 13th century.
The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Center
The Highland House of Fraser is a kiltmaker and supplier of Highland dress. Learn about the history, tradition, and culture of the kilt. Check out the kiltmaking workshop and learn how to wear a kilt properly. And, of course, you can purchase a kilt for your own (or your imaginary) clan.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
No trip is complete with a little shopping, and Inverness has loads of opportunities.
Victorian Market
Victorian Market is an indoor market built in the 19th century. Look for unique shops, local crafts, and a taste of everyday Inverness life.
Inverness High Street
Inverness High Street is a pedestrianized area featuring well-known retailer as well as small local shops.
Leakey’s Bookshop
Round out your experience with a visit to Leakey’s Second-hand Bookshop, a cozy and iconic bookstore set inside a converted church. It’s the perfect place to slow down and soak in the atmosphere before your next Inverness adventure.
Highland Scotch Whiskey
Whisky lovers should venture to a nearby distillery. Learn about the distilling process, enjoy a dram, and maybe purchase Highland Scotch Whiskey direct from the distillery.
Getting Around Inverness
Inverness city center is very compact and walkable. You can easily get from attraction to attraction within the city on foot. Consider a walking tour or this self-guided audio tour to orient you to the city sites! For a more personalized experience, consider this reasonably priced private tour. I also really like this private Inverness Dark Side Tour!
The city also boasts excellent dedicated cycle paths and signed routes. If your feet just won’t go another step, you can always hop in a taxi. You can book them via the Safekab App or go to any hotel and ask them to hail you a taxi. There are no Uber services in the Highlands.
For locations just outside the city, you can either rent a car, or consider one of these fabulous day tours:
Inverness Castle, Clava Cairn, Culloden Battlefield, and Loch Ness
Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander, & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness
Inverness Highlands Bucket List Tour
Where to Stay in Inverness
There are several great options for accommodation in Inverness. I really like the Mercure Inverness Hotel. It is in the heart of Old Town and overlooks the River Ness for a reasonable price.
What do you want to do in Inverness?
There are so many fabulous things to see and do in and around Inverness. For convenience sake, I limited this list to places that are easily accessible within 30 minutes of the city center. To see a list of great day trips to places within 30 minutes to 3 hours from Inverness, check out my post on Amazing Day Trips from Inverness!
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