Location: Inverness
Top Things to do in Inverness
10 Things to do in Inverness That You Shouldn't Miss
This compact Scottish city is perfect for exploration by foot — travelers can easily find their way from the lovely River Ness to historic Inverness Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral, and beyond to the events at Eden Court and the busy Victorian Market. It’s also an ideal base for exploring the Highlands, with the mysterious Loch Ness (and famed local resident Nessie), Culloden Battlefield and the Bronze Age Clava Cairns just a quick drive away.
Restaurants in Inverness
1. Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 554 reviews
This museum combines fine art with historical and natural artifacts to give visitors a more complete picture of Inverness's complex history.
Reviewed By CopinsayLass - Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
Located adjacent to River Ness, the castle & Inverness Old Town, museum offers free entry with lift available for prams, pushchairs & wheelchairs. Plenty of historical artifacts & examples of Scottish heritage & culture very nearly from the Big Bang (or creation theory of your choice). Below exhibit cases are drawers of items to see, with full information text in English and Gaelic. Interesting gadgets & games for hands-on experience, cafe on site. Museum staff were polite, friendly & helpful.
2. Inverness Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 624 reviews
Opened in 1993 by Prince Edward, Inverness Botanic Gardens, formerly Inverness Floral Hall & Gardens, are an oasis of calm and beauty within walking distance of the city centre. With each new season the outside gardens are an explosion of colour and texture, and borders are planted to demonstrate a wide variety of plants and growing conditions. The impressive glasshouses reveal the drama of plant diversity ranging from the tropical rainforests to arid, heat scorched desert.
Reviewed By valt644 - County Durham, United Kingdom
Visited last Sunday. Free to enter but made a donation. Took about an hour to wander round. Beautiful plants and flowers, the colours were still very vibrant and especially loved the dahlias which were glorious. Also loved the bug hotel. A lovely place to visit.
3. River Ness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,422 reviews
This wide peaceful river flowing through the city of Inverness is great for fishing salmon.
Reviewed By rolfk232 - Uster, Switzerland
A guided city walk offers plenty of information and views about the urban areas of Inverness. You can expand that with a walk out to the locks in the Caledonian Canal (which we did), or by taking a tour in the harbor & the Moray Firth (we just walked to the harbor) — that covers a lot of the tourist aspects of Inverness. In about an hour you can experience a vastly different aspect of Inverness—the calm, idyllic, scenic atmosphere of a park. It's best to start near the castle, or at Inverness Town House: walk down to the River Ness, then follow the East bank upstream, via Ness Bank, then don't cross the river, but continue on Lady's Walk, then cross a little bridge to the first island, continue upstream, take the next bridge, finally a third one. Soon, you will find a bridge that crosses to the other side of the River Ness. But rather continue on the island, upstream, up to the tiny resting place very end. On the way back, you could switch to the West bank — I rather recommend staying on the island, strolling back on the East side path, passing a couple of sequoia trees (impressive, even though of course not comparable to those in the West of the US). Once you have left the islands, you can still decide to switch to the West bank to visit the cathedral—but without that, you should be back in the city center5 within less than an hour: a beautiful, scenic, peaceful and relaxing walk!
4. Inverness Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 566 reviews
Inverness Cathedral,located on the banks of the River Ness. The most northerly Anglican Cathedral in the UK. The vision of Bishop Eden with Alexander Ross as it’s architect. Built between 1866 and 1869 and formerly consecrated in 1874. Excellent stained glasses windows and exquisite stone and wood carving can be found inside. Free entry to Cathedral. Our Cafe and Shop is located in the cathedral grounds.
Reviewed By Y8837LLgabriela - Ploiesti, Romania
Inverness Cathedral was build from 1866 to 1869, on the shore of the River Ness, as the Protestant Cathedral Church of St Andrews, belonging of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This Cathedral have an impressive external aspect, with two huge towers, and a carved portal. Inside the Cathedral we admired the large nave, with two side galleries. We saw some massive columns, some beautiful stained glasses, carved wooden pews, and a wonderful mosaic on the floor. The ten bells of this cathedral sound a special song. Also, we visited an interesting souvenir shop. The Cathedral worth a visit.
5. Fort George
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,709 reviews
Fort George is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. Fort George is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms - including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches - provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life.
Reviewed By LJH_Worcs - Worcester, United Kingdom
If you want to see the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, then this is it! Built after the '45 with the intention of being able to crush any further rebellions on their own ground, Fort George offers a wonderful chance to go around a major historical site which is still in use as a working barracks today, and that adds its own atmosphere to the place. The fort is built to the classic plan which would remain in use throughout the Napoleonic Wars and beyond, so great for history lovers, but also for children as there's a lot to explore.
6. Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 931 reviews
We are a 4 star visitor attraction: a Highland Distillery Visitor Centre with a range of tours and award winning whiskies available. We have a shop in which you can purchase Tomatin merchandise and various expressions of Tomatin, including filling your own bottle from one of our cask strength distillery exclusive whiskies. The Tomatin Distillery lies just 16 miles south of Inverness and 15 miles north of Aviemore on the A9 - extremely convenient for anyone travelling to or from the Highlands! We are open 7 days all year round! April-September 9.30am-5.30pm October-March 10.30am-4.30pm Please contact us or visit our website for more information or to book your tour. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Reviewed By campervan2
We had a wonderful experience here, Frazer our tour guide was pleasant and knowledgeable and widened our knowledge of the whiskey manufacturing process, the distillery is lovely and the history of the area is amazing, thank you everyone.
7. Eden Court Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Eden Court is the main entertainment venue in the Highlands with two theatres, two cinemas, two dance studios a superb café / bar and a fantastic restaurant serving the very best local produce plus a 19th century palace and chapel. We are situated on the riverside adjacent to Inverness Cathedral and enjoy a stunning riverside location and views of the River Ness. The building is a hub of activity with over 400 live theatre performances each year, over 2000 cinema screenings each year and over 60 classes and activities each week - plus fully accessible state-of-the-art facilities.
Reviewed By wbillpayne
I went with a friend to see the Scottish Ballet "The Snow Queen" Whilst the dancing and music were wonderful, I must praise the staff at Eden Court for their helpfulness when dealing with a somewhat disabled old man! ,These people go out of their way to assist and in a most delightful manner
8. Caledonian Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Reviewed By C5060EKmatthewp - Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
This place is amazing and connects Inverness with the Western Isles to the Southwest. Incredible engineering for the time and now a wonderful place for walking and cycling through some amazing coutryside.
9. North Coast 500
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 706 reviews
The North Coast 500 is Scotland's biggest road trip measuring over 500 miles. The route begins in Inverness and flows along the stunning coastal edges of the North Highlands in one round trip. Bringing together the best of the Highlands from glistening beaches, haunting castles, monumental munros and hundreds more scenic stop-offs, you will be spoilt for choice on this road trip!
Reviewed By highlands2hammocks
Arguably one of the best road trips in the world! If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. We toured this route in just 7-days and this is the perfect amount of time to do it again. Here is a run down of our 7 day itinerary - Day One - Inverness to Dornoch Day Two - Dornoch to John O'Groats Day Three - John O'Groats to Thurso Day Four - Thurso to Durness Day Five - Durness to Scourie Day Six - Scourie to Ullapool Day Seven - Ullapool to Applecross And here are the best sights that you simply cannot miss out on - - Falls of Shin - Dunrobin Castle - Dornoch Beach - Whaligoe Steps - Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe - Duncansby Lighthouse and Stacks - John O'Groats Signpost - Strathy Point Lighthouse - Skerray Bay - Coldbackie Beach - Smoo Cave - Handa Island - Kylesku Bridge - Ullapool Harbour - Falls of Measach - Sheildaig - Bealach na Ba Pass - Applecross - Ceannabeine Village Trail
10. Inverness Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 853 reviews
Reviewed By GemmaMumTo4
Lovely experience to go up in the tower of Inverness castle amazing views all around looks so pretty from up at the top there are interesting videos and displays on each level of the castle to look at and watch before reaching the top, would recommend esp for people who love taking pics like myself
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