Best things to do in Inverness
The busy hub of - and the only city in - the Highlands, Inverness is crowned by a pink crenellated castle, lavishly decorated with flowers, and still has some hints of its medieval street layout.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Craig Phadrig: Just outside the city, this hill - site of an ancient Pictish fort - offers a gentle hike to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with views across Inverness and the Moray Firth.
Inverness Castle: For the best view over the city and the River Ness, head to the castle’s North Tower which has a viewing platform that’s worth the small admission fee.
The best districts
Merkinch: One of the oldest parts of the city, Merkinch has a community feel, with some local shops worth investigating; and then there’s Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, home to some gentle wildlife.
Museums
Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre: An imaginative small attraction, complete with the outfits worn by actors for the Braveheart and Rob Roy films, which sets out everything you ever wanted to know about tartan.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery: An illuminating insight into the social history of the Highlands, with treasures from the times of the Picts and Vikings, taxidermy exhibits such as Felicity the puma, caught in Cannich in 1980, and interactive features including an introduction to the Gaelic language.
Parks and gardens
Historical monuments
Old High Church: Founded in 1171 and rebuilt on several occasions since, those Jacobites who survived the massacre of Culloden were brought here and incarcerated prior to their execution in the cemetery. If you look carefully you may see the bullet holes left on gravestones by the firing squads.
Inverness Castle: A predominantly 19th-century red-sandstone building perched above the river, the castle has been transformed into a new visitor attraction celebrating the culture of the Highlands.
Day trips in the area
Loch Ness: 23 miles long, unfathomably deep, cold and often moody, Loch Ness is bound by rugged heather-clad mountains rising steeply from a wooded shoreline, with attractive glens opening up on either side.
* Culloden Battlefield: Experience the cannon fire in a “battle immersion theatre” and tramp the heather moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie made his last stand.
The Black Isle: Located just across the Kessock Bridge, this lumpy peninsula boasts stunning coastline, quaint villages and awesome wildlife - Chanonry Point is one of the best places in the UK to spot bottlenose dolphins.
Activities for families in Inverness
With so much water - both sea and lochs - around Inverness, there are fantastic opportunities, particularly of the wildlife variety, to be had here.
Loch cruises: Chances of seeing the famous monster Nessie aren’t high, but the on-board sonar images are intriguing and the scenery’s fine.
Wildlife tours: The Moray Firth, just north of the city, is one of the best places in the UK to see dolphins, and there are several boat trips that will take you out for a closer look. Try Ecoventures in Cromarty on the Black Isle, who run 2-hour wildlife cruises with the chance to spot dolphins, porpoises and grey seals.
Adventure parks: The whole family can enjoy a host of excellent outdoor and indoor activities at Landmark Adventure Park, the best of which are treetop trails, a climbing wall, a Lost Labyrinth maze, Bamboozeleum (magical and illusory effects), and a couple of theme park-type rides.
Free things to do in Inverness
There are plenty of free activities to enjoy on holidays to Inverness, from scenic walks to cultural experiences.
Free events: Inverness hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Highland Games in July, which celebrate traditional Scottish sports, music and dance. During the summer months, you can catch free live music sessions at venues across the city.
Markets: Take a stroll through the town’s Victorian covered market, whose original entrance dates back to 1870. The roof itself is a statement in concise Victorian engineering, and you’ll be glad of it if/when the weather takes a turn.
Nature and outdoor activities in Inverness
Inverness is the perfect launchpad for adventures that will take you into some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes, and some of the UK’s finest walking.
Hiking and walking trails: Inverness sits at the start of the Great Glen Way long-distance footpath, which stretches 79 miles down to Fort William. It’s a relatively undemanding five-to-six-day hike that uses a combination of canal towpaths, forest trails, and hill tracks. Closer to the city, paths along the River Ness or around the Ness Islands offer gentler walks.
Cycling: Inverness has plenty of bike rental services for those who want to cycle along the scenic paths by the River Ness. For a more active day out, take to the Caledonian Canal towpath, which provides flat, scenic routes suitable for all ages.
Water sports: Loch Ness isn’t just about monster hunting – it’s a hotspot for water-based activities, especially kayaking and paddleboarding. For those who want more of a thrill, there’s also the option of RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tours that race across the water.
