Things to do in Inverness Scotland
Inverness is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. As a Scottish city, Inverness is part of the United Kingdom. It is the only place in the Highlands that has the status of a "city". Inverness is a place with a long history. There is evidence of prehistoric settlement. In the 6th century, where the Old High Church of Inverness now stands, was one of the main Pictish castles. In the 11th century Macbeth reigned in the castle. However, he did not do this quite as bloodthirsty as Shakespeare portrayed him. The area is also steeped in history. Not far from here, in Culloden, the last battle between Jacobites and English government troops took place in 1746. We want to discover the points of interest & sights of Inverness in Scotland.
An Inverness Scotland vacation is Nessie and more
Inverness Scotland was the starting point of our journey to Loch Ness in Scotland. The city is not only interesting because of the legends of Nessie. It is also the largest city in the Scottish Highlands and home to many landmarks in Scotland. It is on the Moray Firth. This is a bay that extends from the North Sea inland. The River Ness flows into this. With average temperatures between 4 and 14 degrees Celsius all year round, the climate is warm and temperate. Snow is seldom here. However, rainfall is high, even during the driest month in April. You can tell from the vegetation. The almost 47.000 inhabitants of the city appreciate this. Visitors also like to use these conditions for trips to the region all year round.
Explore Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, with us
We take a stroll through Inverness and explore Scotland's capital of the Highlands. We've collected all the tips and tricks you need to find the perfect attractions in this vibrant city. A real Scot accompanies us. Cameron knows the city well as he lives there. He also shows them to guests from all over the world. Apparently he's very well known in his town. Not only that people from the city constantly greet him and shake his hand. No, even overseas visitors get excited when they see it. "You are THE Cameron? Wow! I did not expect to see you in person, “says one of his fans, who has apparently just arrived from the United States. No wonder! Cameron stands out. Because he proudly wears his kilt on this September morning when it is drizzling. A Scot as it is in the book. Finding a better travel guide is difficult.
Discover Inverness in the footsteps of a local
From its lively pubs to interesting sights, Inverness offers the perfect opportunity to explore Scotland's Highland capital. With a range of attractions and activities on offer, whether you're looking for outdoor adventures or just wanting to soak up the atmosphere, you can experience first-hand why locals love this city.
A stroll through Inverness Scotland
Discover the historical and cultural attractions of Inverness Scotland
Inverness is packed with historical and cultural attractions, from the Castle to St Andrews Cathedral. Stroll the cobbled streets of the old town and soak up the atmosphere on the streets for a glimpse of the city's past. You can also take a guided tour of some of Scotland's most famous monuments. There is something for everyone in this cultural capital!
We begin our tour of Inverness at
the Scotland Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle is perched on a hill overlooking the River Ness. Today it houses the Sheriff's Court of Inverness. However, there are plans to open the castle to the public. So far, only the North Tower as a lookout tower and the parks are accessible. From here you have a good view of the river and the city.
The Castle and Macbeth
The castle, as it stands today, was created in 1836. Before that, however, there were other castles and palaces that stood at this point from 1057. Malcolm III. built the first castle, after Macbeth killed his father Duncan I in a castle about a mile from here.
Mary Stuart and the Castle
The castle also played a role in the life of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. She visited the castle in the year 1562. However, she found the gates locked. This was done by order of George Gordon, the Fourth Earl of Huntly. Only when the clans of Munros and Frasers flocked to the queen, the tide turned. They besieged the castle and finally conquered it after three days. Mary spent four nights at the castle and then moved on with her train. Alexander Gordon, who had denied her access, was executed for treason.
From the castle our way leads past the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery to the High Street. The Town House, the city council, is on the corner of High St. and Castle Wynd.
We follow Church Street and come by Hootanany, a pub that plays live music in the evenings.
We turn off to the cemetery at the
Old High Church
It is one of the churches in Inverness. It is remarkable because its pulpit is located between the two entrances to the church, not - as is usual - in the front part of the church building. In the church cemetery there are graves whose tombstones are damaged. These are the graves of people who committed some crime in their lifetime for which they were not held accountable. In Inverness in Scotland they make sure that they do not find eternal rest.
What to Pack for a Scotland vacation?
- Rain jacket for women - Which is the best, you can read here
- Wax jacket for men - Waterproof and windproof wax jackets are well suited as rain protection in Scotland. It's best to do it like the Scots and put one in your suitcase.
- Rainproof shoes for women - If you want to go hiking in Scotland, waterproof shoes are essential.
- A backpackin which you can store the utensils you need for a day trip.
- Check our hiking checklistwhether you have packed everything you need for a hike.
At the back of the church we reach the shore of the River Ness. There the
Bouncing Bridge
or the Greig Street Bridge, how it is officially called, turns to the right. Its nickname is well picked. The closer we get to the center of the bridge, the more we feel the swinging of the bridge.
Inverness Book hotel here *
- The Kingsmills Hotel is a four star hotel set in a large park. It offers a spa area, a pool and free parking. There is also a good restaurant. It is 1,6 km to the city center. Book the Kingsmills Hotel here*.
- It's a ten minute walk from the Heathmount Hotel to Inverness Castle. The three-star hotel has two bars and a restaurant. You can park your car here for free. Book the Heathmount Hotel here*.
- Do you prefer to stay in a holiday apartment? Then we recommend the stylish Inverness City Suites. These are located in three locations in or near the city center and are very tastefully decorated. You can find out more about it here*.
- Want a bigger selection? Then compare accommodation prices in Inverness here*.
Our guide Cameron - a rascal - tells us the story of St. Columba, who is said to have been the only one to have seen the Loch Ness monster in 565. The monk, who came to the region from Ireland to convert the Picts, watched the monster try to devour one of them as he swam across the River Ness. He struck the sign of the cross and instructed the monster: "You will not move any further and you will not touch this man. Back off immediately.” The monster ostensibly obeyed and continued swimming into Loch Ness. "Who knows, maybe things are still going on there today - or something?" Says Cameron with a wink.
On the other bank of the river we turn left. We pass the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Center, where you can find out more about the craft of kiltmaking. From there our path leads to Strathness House. The Beatles stayed at this hotel in the early 60s. It is said that they wrote one of their songs here. Opposite is the
St. Andrew's Cathedral
The cathedral was inaugurated in 1869. It was built at the instigation of Bishop Robert Eden and was built according to plans by Alexander Ross. Worth seeing is the church interior, which impresses visitors with its light effects. The Episcopal Church offers services. Several times a year they take place in Gaelic. Since 2017, the Scottish Episcopal Church offers ecclesial marriage to homosexuals.
Sample the local cuisine and pub scene
When it comes to enjoying some of Scotland's finest delicacies, immerse yourself in the exciting flavors and experiences that Inverness has to offer. For example, take a break for a traditional food at a Highland pub – try dishes like Cullen Skink or Haggis with neeps and tatties. You can also do some of the best whiskeys of Scotland sample in local bars and pubs – keep an eye out for exclusive brands like Glenmorangie, made in nearby Tain. Afterwards, end your evening with live music in one of the city's cozy traditional pubs.
Our route takes us from St. Andrew's Cathedral back to the Ness Bridge, over which we once again reach the city centre. Just in time for a lunch break
Number 27
a pub restaurant where we enjoy our lunch: pork belly on pumpkin puree in a red wine sauce. This gives us strength for exploring Loch Ness in Scotland and Urquart Castle and around Inverness. If you want to know more about Scottish food and drink, you can find a blog post about it here.
Visit some of Inverness Scotland's unique boutiques and galleries
If you are looking for something special, Inverness has many unique boutiques and galleries to explore. Be sure to take a stroll through the city center to discover some hidden gems like the Kensington Art Gallery or the Fringed Kilt Boutique. Both shops have a range of beautiful artwork and designs from local makers. Why not grab a souvenir to remember your Scotland Inverness vacation?
Enjoy outdoor activities in the beautiful Highlands
If you're looking for outdoor fun, Inverness and the surrounding area offer plenty of activities to keep you busy. Take a riverside stroll to the Ness Islands, for example, or challenge yourself on the Inverness Sky Trail - the longest ropes course in Scotland! There are several mountain walks to explore, from moderate climbs up Craig Phadrig or Tomnahurich Hill to more challenging routes to Sgurr na Coinnich and Beinn Fhada in the Inverness area of Scotland. Of course, no trip to Scotland is complete without fishing - visit local rivers like the River Ness and River Lochy if you fancy catching salmon.
Inverness Stone Circle
The city would not be in Scotland if it weren't for a stone circle nearby. This one is even one that made it into the novel "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. It achieved film fame in the movie adaptation of the novel. The stone circle of Inverness with the split stone is about 20 kilometers outside the city and is signposted. From Inverness you can take a tour of the locations of the Highland saga. Reiseziele.ch shows you where you can explore the region in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire. If you want to read the story of Jamie and Claire, you will find them in the Outlander saga by Diana Gabaldon*. Information about stone circles in Scotland and near Inverness can be found here.
Outlander attractions near Inverness Scotland
Learn the Inverness sights of the Outlander novels for example on a Outlander Day Tour * know. You will learn more about the stone circle of Clava Cairns and the inspiration for the Outlander novels.
Scotland Highlands Inverness
Inverness is on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. This makes it a good starting point for excursions in the region.
Take a trip to nearby Loch Ness
Spend the day exploring one of Scotland's most iconic locations - Loch Ness. Just a short distance from Inverness, this lake is home to a variety of stunning scenes and offers some fantastic photo opportunities. For example, take a boat tour around the lake to explore the beauty of the surrounding waters and stop at Urquhart castle for some magical moments. A walk along the coast can be very peaceful, especially on a sunny day!
Loch Ness Tour in Inverness Scotland
- You can go on a Loch Ness Tour * in search of the sea monster or
- if you want to rent a car in Inverness, you can rent one and do the Loch Ness tour on your own.
Sights in the Scotland Highlands
- If you want to learn a little more about the history of the region, then a visit to the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center. Corinne from Reflections Enroute presents this in detail in her blog.
- Among other things, we present what we have discovered in the region in this post .
- Find more excursions to sights in the Scottish Highlands* you can also find here.
Travel organization:
Arrival Date
Arrival by plane, bus or train*. Inverness has its own airport. However, there are currently no direct flights from Germany. Flights to Scotland Inverness from Germany require a stopover. We are with KLM from Munich Traveled to Scotland via Amsterdam. Flights are also possible Frankfurt or Berlin with stopover.
Rent a car at the airport:
You can rent a car at Inverness Airport at Inverness Car Rental *.
Accommodation :
Book hotels in and around Inverness * here. We have stayed in the Kingsmills Hotel* in Inverness. We spent the third night in a B&B in Drumnadrochit. You can book Bed and Breakfast in and around Inverness Scotland * here.
Camping in Inverness
There are several campsites in the Inverness area. One of them is Bunchrew Caravan Park Ltd., Bunchrew, Inverness IV3 8TD. Everything you need for motorhome trips can be found here. Rent motorhomes you can here. With our Motorhome packing list you'll never forget anything again. Or would you prefer to stay overnight in a roof tent on the car? Also the overnight stay in camping tents is possible. Scotland and the Highlands are particularly suitable for motorhome holidays in nature.
Travel Guides
You can order a travel guide for Scotland * at Amazon.
Events
Find information about current events in Inverness on this website.
You can get on-site information for your Inverness Scotland holiday from the
Tourist Information
36 High Street,
Inverness,
IV1 1JQ
Inverness Scotland attractions
The sights in and around Inverness make the city a vacation destination for an Inverness Scotland vacation or for a long weekend break. For an Inverness vacation we recommend these attractions:
Questions and answers about your Scotland Inverness holiday
How many inhabitants does Scotland have?
Scotland has almost 5,5 million inhabitants (as of 2019). lnverness had a population of 2012 in 46.870, making it the largest city in the Scottish Highlands.
Is Inverness beautiful?
Inverness is on the edge of the Highlands on the River Ness. The city is surrounded by beautiful landscapes. There are numerous palaces and castles in the vicinity that are worth seeing. Loch Ness is not far from Inverness. Therefore, the city is an ideal starting point for excursions in the area and in the Highlands. Good destinations are Loch Ness, Urquardt Castle, Cawdor Castle, the Highlands or the Culloden Battlefield.
Is Inverness worth the trip?
Inverness has its own airport, so getting here is easy. Not only the city offers sights. Above all, the surrounding area of Inverness is worthwhile for excursions to Loch Ness, to the Highlands, to the Culloden Battlefield, to Cawdor Castle, Elgin or Fort George.
Which river flows through Inverness?
This is the River Ness. It empties into the Moray Firth near Inverness.
How big is Inverness in Scotland?
The capital of the Highlands covers an area of 161,2 square kilometers.
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Source for the article Inverness Scotland vacation: own research on site.
More cities in Scotland for Slow Travel Scotland tours can also be found under these links. Discover Attractions here.
We would like to thank Visit Great Britain and Visit Inverness Loch Ness for inviting us to this Inverness Scotland holiday. Inverness Tourist Information has assisted us in our search for places to visit in and around Inverness. However, our opinion remains our own.
Text Scotland Inverness Holidays: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Last update on 17.03.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API
A great report! Unfortunately, I only saw Inverness passing through one evening and would have liked to explore more there. :)
Greetings from Vienna
Christian
Hello Christian,
we know that well. Often one sees only locally that one would like to have had more time for a city or a region. For us that usually means that we go back to explore the area more intensively. Inverness and Loch Ness are perfect for a weekend getaway. In three to four days in the region you can get to know them very well.
Best regards,
Monika
As always a very nice article! I also liked Inverness, but unfortunately I failed to pay a visit to St. Andrew's Cathedral. I would definitely catch up with that next time.
Dear Silja,
Thank you very much for the nice comment. I am very happy if you like our articles. In St. Andrew's Cathedral I especially liked how to play there with the different colors of light. That's very impressive, I think.
Best regards,
Monika
Hello Monika, hello Petar, nice that we met yesterday, so to speak, in my extended home. What can I say, I've never been to Scotland. it's been a long time already on the plan. Thanks for the great inspiration, make you want more.
See you soon, Claudia
Liebe Claudia,
that made us happy. Would be nice if it works more often. We don't “know” Scotland yet. We went for a short trip to Inverness and Loch Ness. But that already impressed us very much. A fascinating landscape and a pretty small town. But at the same time the largest city in Scotland. There is sure to be more to discover.
Best regards,
Monika
Hi monika,
unfortunately I have never made it to Scotland. But it is - like so many goals - on the travel wishlist. Inverness seems to me to be a nice town with crazy weather. Would be an idea for April. Could I celebrate my birthday in Scotland ;-)
LG
Catherine
Hello Katharina,
Well, the weather in Inverness is not that crazy. It is just maritime climate in a temperate zone, so relatively mild temperatures and rainfall. But that's what you expect in Scotland, right?
Best regards,
Monika
Dear Monika,
Inverness is in my opinion one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland, where a visit is always worthwhile. We were traveling by car and when I saw the city from afar, I fell in love with her. Thank you for rousing this reminder once again. :)
Many greetings
Kathi
Dear Kathi,
Since I do not have a comparison so far - Inverness is the first and only city in Scotland that I know - it is difficult to say if there are more beautiful ones. But I found her very nice. The location on the River Ness makes a lot of. Thank you for your comment.
Best regards,
Monika
I've heard about Inverness before in connection with whiskey. There should be some distilleries there. In the weather you can sometimes need a sun-yellow drink ... although I do not like any whiskey. Maybe I would try it on the spot and drink my courage for the Loch Ness ;-)
Best regards,
Sabine
Liebe Sabine
haha, do not need courage to visit Loch Ness. Nessie hides well :). I also always thought Scottish whiskey did not taste good. But our visit has taught me a lesson. A report will follow.
Best regards,
Monika
Hallo,
I am always fascinated by the architecture of the old churches. The Friehöfe have something mystical somehow. I would also love to see Loch Ness, especially since it is so full of legends. And now I know what else I can do;)
Best regards,
Kuno
Hello Kuno,
Church architecture is also fascinating. Amazing what has been built over the centuries worldwide. Loch Ness, Inverness and its surroundings offer even more. There will be more reports on the blog soon.
Best regards,
Monika
A wonderful report that brought me closer to this region.
The ritual with the tombstones I found interesting. As the question arises to me, who has made this to disturb the eternal peace ??
Dear Anne,
I can not tell you who that was with the gravestones. But I do not think that those were the community leaders. These were probably more people who were affected.
Best regards,
Monika
Nice pictures and great impressions !! But one question burns under my nails: How can you speak of "warm" all year round at average temperatures of 4 to 14 degrees? :O
Ironically, that of all the capricious April is the driest month there. A bit wrong world - but in front of a breathtaking backdrop, as you can see in your pictures very well.
Dear Julia,
haha, I thought that there will be any questions. These are average temperatures. Temperatures of 25 ° and higher can be reached in summer. In winter, on the other hand, the thermometer rarely sinks below freezing. Snow hardly falls. The vegetation in Inverness is therefore surprisingly diverse. In airconditioning one speaks there of temperate climate. April is funny too. But as you say, a little twisted world is that already :).
Best regards,
Monika
Very nice, I'm in Inverness from next week and some people already warned me that it was rather boring ... Your guide speaks another language and I'm looking forward to it!
Dear Sandra,
it depends on how long you are in Inverness. There is also a lot to see in the area. In the city alone, you will probably soon run out of “interesting” things. But it's also worth exploring the area. There is a lot to discover.
Best regards,
Monika
Oh, I love Scotland! It is so beautiful there.
Greetings!
Hello, dear Jenny,
We agree with you absolutely. This was our first time in Scotland and we are thrilled. Although our trip was short, we have already gotten an idea of what Scotland has to offer. We hope to be back soon.
Best regards,
Monika