Situated on the edge of Loch Ness, Inverness is often seen as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. It’s a great starting point for driving the NC500, but there are also plenty of great things to do in Inverness to start your journey.
Over the years we have explored Inverness many times. Stay in the city and head to nearby Cairngorms National Park or further north.
This whole part of Scotland is truly beautiful and unspoiled. You may not be able to visit the Scottish Highlands just for Inverness, but it’s worth stopping off for a day to explore this small Scottish city.
So, to help you make the most of your time, here are some popular things to do in or around Inverness. Have a great time visiting Scotland.
1.) Inverness Cathedral
When exploring Inverness, be sure to stop by the cathedral, which sits on the banks of the River Ness. Admission is currently free, but you can also donate a small amount (about £2) to help maintain the cathedral itself.
visit to Inverness Cathedral It takes less than 20 minutes, but it’s worth a quick look if you’re interested in the city’s iconic buildings.If you’re feeling hungry, stop by this unassuming shop. Café Ness near the cathedral. Their lemon drizzle cake is so delicious.
Not only that, but you can also easily visit it by walking the Ness Walk, which stretches along the banks of the River Ness and Bishop’s Road.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland’s NC50o
2.) Inverness Castle
visit inverness castle Definitely one of the best things to do when visiting Inverness. However, due to important construction work, it is not expected to reopen until 2025. But don’t worry. The River Ness area below offers stunning views of Inverness.
For the best views, head to the corner of Bishop’s Road and Ardross Street (just outside the cathedral). Inverness Castle is located on the opposite bank of the River Ness and is absolutely gorgeous.
If you want to explore beyond Inverness, Book this Isle of Skye tour It’s a day trip from Inverness. Despite your early departure, all transport to and from the Isle of Skye will be arranged for you before heading back to Inverness. It’s all very easy.
surely Book this Isle of Skye tour in advance. This ticket will sell out quickly.
Read more: Things to do on the Isle of Skye
3.) Urquhart Castle
Situated on the shores of Loch Ness, visiting Urquhart Castle is one of the best things to do on a day trip to Inverness.
The ruins of Urquhart Castle, about 30 minutes’ drive from the center of Inverness, date back to the early Middle Ages. Now, you can tour Urquhart Castle while you’re here and explore its grounds and the shores of Loch Ness.
To make things easier, Book your Urquhart Castle tour If you go from Inverness, you’ll be right inside the castle grounds. As well as being great for visiting castles, you can also drive around the vast area on the shores of Loch Ness. Very worth the afternoon trip.
4.) Falcon Square
Now you don’t have to go all the way to Falcon Square while visiting Inverness itself. As you may know, Falcon Square is located just outside Inverness station and is probably the first port of call you see when you get off the train.
Now, although Falcon Square is relatively new (about 20 years), you can still see one of the city’s unicorns standing on a pedestal. It’s only small, but it’s fun to look at.
If you’re looking for high street stores, head to Eastgate Shopping Center, just off Falcon Square. You’ll see common names on high streets across the UK.
Looking for more local shops and cafes? Next, head to the Victorian Market. Inside you’ll find local craft stores, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Although it is small, it feels much more “local” than Eastgate Shopping Center.
5.) Loch Ness
So if you’re in Inverness, you can’t miss visiting Loch Ness. It’s a very recognizable lake and probably the most famous lake in the world.
It’s easy to drive around Loch Ness (if you rent a car), but… Book this Loch Ness tour It will take you to some of the important spots to visit. or, Book this tour from Inverness This also includes a visit to Urquhart Castle and a cruise on Loch Ness itself.
If you’re driving, stop by the Glenmoriston Arms for delicious fish and chips. Alternatively, if you’re driving across Loch Ness, stop at Fort Agustus. It’s a small canal area so well worth the walk. we, loch inn For homemade pies.
Read more: Things to do in the Scottish Highlands
6.) Inverness Dolphin Tour
One of the benefits of spending a day in Inverness is that you can take a dolphin tour to see bottlenose dolphins.We went on tour together Dolphin Spirit Inverness It takes you to the Murray Firth.
Now, there is no guarantee that you will always see dolphins. But they love playing in the water here. Try to choose a day when the weather is nice and calm. I think it’s easier to find when the waves are small.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland’s NC50o
7.) Eden Court Highland
visit eden court Definitely one of the best things to do if you want to book a local performance in Inverness. Eden Court is not only the city’s main arts venue, but also a performance space where you can book tickets.
The entire complex may seem small, but it also features two theaters and various workshop spaces.
Read more: Things to do in the Scottish Highlands
8.) Cairngorms National Park
As mentioned earlier, Inverness acts in many ways as a gateway city to the great outdoors of the Scottish Highlands. If you head east, be sure to drive to and explore Cairngorms National Park.
When you’re here, be sure to visit Rotimarchas and rent a bike (like we did) or head out on a quad bike. We did both of these and had the most amazing time. A perfect activity for a day or just an overnight stay.
Oh, and if you’re staying for a long time, go for a hike in the great outdoors. The area around Mt Ben Makdui is beautiful.
That being said, some of these trails can be tough so you need to be an experienced hiker. If you are not confident in your abilities, don’t go. After all, no one likes reckless hikers.
Read more: Things to do in the Scottish Highlands
9.) Glenmorangie Distillery
There are many distilleries to see in the Scottish Highlands, but one of the most famous (and closest to Inverness) is Glenmorangie Distillery.
Glenmorangie We have been distilling whiskey ever since. This place has his 1800s exhibit and is well worth a stop. Please be sure to reserve your tickets prior to arrival. You won’t be able to get tickets right away just by locking up.
Here you can learn more about the distillation process and what makes Glenmorangie unique, and even have a drink. It’s worth a visit. Even if you don’t drink whisky.
10.) Cawdor Castle
About a 20-minute drive from Inverness, visiting Cawdor Castle is one of the top things to do when heading east in Inverness. And if you’re flying into or departing from Inverness, the airport is just 12 minutes from Cawdor Castle itself.
Cawdor Castle dates back to the 1400s and has been around for centuries. The entire castle building is very beautiful and you can also learn about how the castle was built.
You see, the building is built around a small holly tree. At this very spot, a donkey was resting under a tree. It is said that there was a large amount of gold there and that it was chosen as the site for the construction of the castle. Still, to this day, remnants of holly can be seen in the lowlands of Cawdor.
Afterward, stroll through the Walled Gardens and admire the beautiful grounds.
The visit takes around two hours, but it’s well worth a stroll when visiting the wider Inverness area.
11.) Nairn
Traveling east on the A96 road, you’ll come across the small Highland village of Nairn. Overlooking the North Sea, this town is worth a few hours’ journey.especially for Nairn Beach.
Now, be careful, the water in Nairn is cold. That said, the beaches are great and the city is lovely to walk around. Stay before sunset to reserve a table. sun dancer For dinner. Eringi is very delicious.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland’s NC50o
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