Inverness is the “Gateway to the Highlands.” In just a couple of hours you can reach castles, the coast, whisky making regions, and some of Scotland’s most unforgettable scenery. This makes for amazing day trips outside Inverness city center. You can experience an amazing day of hiking within 45 minutes of town, or go further afield to experience the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Isle of Skye.
There are so many fabulous things to see and do in and around Inverness. For convenience’s sake, I limited this list to places located over 30 minutes, but less than 3 hours, from the city center. Here are my favorite day trips from Inverness.
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Isle of Skye & the Eilean Donan Castle
Day trips from Inverness to the Isle of Skye deliver some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. You will travel through rugged Highland landscapes and pass shimmering lochs as you head west.
Stop at Eilean Donan Castle along the way. This is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks and photo ops. Perched on a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into Scottish history.
Next you will cross the Skye Bridge for unforgettable views of mountains, coastal cliffs, and picture-perfect villages. Explore Portree, the island’s colorful harbor town, and marvel at natural wonders like the Old Man of Storr and the Black Cuillin. If you have the time, stay a night or two in Portree. But if you are in a rush, day trips from Inverness to the Isle of Skye are easy and affordable.
Getting there is easy by car, if you are comfortable driving. Follow the scenic A82 and A87 westward through the Highlands. It takes about two and a half hours to get to Portree. The Eilean Donan Castle sits directly along the route near the village of Dornie. It is a perfect stop before crossing the Skye Bridge.
Guided day trips from Inverness provide transportation and commentary, so you can relax and enjoy the view. I like this small group tour and this private tour. It is a long day, but totally worth the effort!
Cairngorms National Park
Day trips from Inverness to Cairngorms National Park are perfect for outdoor nature lovers. You can hike, bike, or simply admire the vast Highland landscape of Caledonian pine forests, sparkling lochs, and rolling heather-covered hills. Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels, golden eagles, black grouse, and even native reindeer. Be sure to take the funicular railway for panoramic scenery. You can also explore charming Highland villages such as Aviemore along the way.
Travelers can drive the A9, take a guided tour, or ride one of the frequent trains from Inverness to Aviemore. It only takes about 45 minutes to get there. This gives you more time to spend exploring the park. Guided tours typically combine at least one other site, but you have less time to explore the park on foot.
Glen Affric
Day trips from Inverness to Glen Affric National Nature Reserve take you into one of Scotland’s most beautiful and unspoiled places. Often described as Scotland’s most scenic glen, Glen Affric offers excellent walking trails, abundant wildlife, and countless photo-ops. Watch for red deer, golden eagles, and native Scots pine trees while enjoying the Highland wilderness.
Getting to Glen Affric from Inverness is easiest by car. The journey takes about one hour via the A862 and A831 through the village of Cannich. While public transportation options are limited, guided day trips from Inverness provide convenient access and often combine Glen Affric with other Highland highlights.
The Black Isle & Cromarty
Day trips from Inverness to the Black Isle and Cromarty showcase a quieter side of the Highlands. Despite its name, the Black Isle is a fertile peninsula known for rolling farmland, charming villages, coastal scenery, and loads of wildlife. Explore the towns of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, with their sandy beaches and views across the Moray Firth.
Continue to Cromarty, a beautifully preserved town filled with colorful cottages, Georgian architecture, cute shops, and maritime heritage. Along the coast, keep an eye out for the area’s famous bottlenose dolphins!
Getting to the Black Isle by car is quick and easy. Cross the Kessock Bridge and follow the A9 and A832 north. Cromarty sits at the northeastern tip of the Black Isle and is about a one hour drive from Inverness. No car? Use local bus services that connect Inverness with several Black Isle communities.
Dornoch
Day trips from Inverness to Dornoch offer a blend of Highland history, coastal beauty, and small-town charm. Visit the magnificent Dornoch Cathedral, a 13th-century landmark that stands at the heart of the community. Stroll through the town’s center, where stone buildings, cute shops, and welcoming cafés create a relaxed vibe.
Enjoy a walk along Dornoch’s sandy beach overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Golfers will love the world-famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club, which is consistently ranked among the best courses in the world.
By car, follow the A9 north across the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths for approximately one hour. Enjoy views of the Moray Firth and the Highland countryside along the way. Pubic transit also connects Inverness and Dornoch, making the town accessible without a car.
Speyside
Day trips from Inverness to Speyside take you into the heart of Scotland’s whisky country. Explore charming villages such as Aberlour and Craigellachie, visit historic distilleries, and learn about the centuries-old traditions behind Scotland’s most famous spirit. Beyond whisky, Speyside offers beautiful walking trails, scenic river views, and wildlife spotting.
Follow the A95 and surrounding local roads southeast toward the villages and distilleries that dot the region. Travel times range from 1-1.5 hours, depending on the destination. Guided day trips from Inverness provide transportation and expert commentary, making it easy to visit multiple locations. They also make it less risky to sample the goods!
North Coast 500 (partial loop)
Day trips from Inverness along part of the North Coast 500 showcase some of the most dramatic scenery in the Scottish Highlands. Travel north through rolling countryside, rugged coastline, and quaint fishing villages to see why the NC500 has become one of the world’s most celebrated road trips. Highlights include the beaches of Dornoch, the historic town of Tain, the sea cliffs around Golspie, and the fairytale-like Dunrobin Castle.
Getting to the North Coast 500 from Inverness is simple, as the route officially begins and ends in the city. For day trips, most visitors follow the A9 from Inverness, north along the eastern section of the circuit. Destinations such as Dornoch, Tain, and Dunrobin Castle can be reached in 1-2 hours by car. Guided day trips also depart from Inverness and provide transportation, local insights, and scenic stops along the way. While completing the entire 516-mile route requires several days, a day trip offers an excellent introduction to the North Coast 500.
Places Nearer to Inverness But Easily Combined to Make Day Trips
There are many places you will want to visit so close to Inverness that they do not make day trips on their own. They can easily be included in a day exploring the city, or combined to create a day trip. Here are three of my favorites:
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
Cruise the famous Loch Ness, hunt for Nessie, and explore the dramatic Urquhart Castle ruins overlooking the water. It only takes 30 minutes to get there and can easily be combined with other sites in and around Inverness.
Culloden Battlefield & Clava Cairns
Walk the battlefield that defined the final Jacobite uprising at Culloden, and then visit the Bronze Age burial cairns (and standing stones) at nearby Clava Cairns.
Cawdor Castle
Located just 30 minutes east of the city, the beautifully preserved Cawdor Castle features elegant furnished rooms, medieval architecture, and magnificent gardens. Although famously linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the castle’s true history is equally captivating.
What day trips do you want to take from Inverness?
There are so many fabulous things to see and do on day trips from Inverness. To see a list of great things to do closer to the city, check out my post on The Best Things to See & Do in Inverness Scotland.
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