Inverness

Written by Graham Smith, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans, Karen Price
27/08/2025
Inverness Castle as viewed from the west across the River Ness.
Diliff, Wikimedia Commons

Inverness serves as a cultural hub and a prime starting point for exploring the Scottish Highlands, offering a blend of historical sites, local culture, and stunning natural scenery.

The city centre along the River Ness provides ample opportunities to socialise in its traditional pubs and various dining establishments; many hostels also offer a communal atmosphere for meeting other tourists.

Top 7 Things to do in Inverness

Inverness offers a rich array of experiences, from delving into significant historical sites and ancient mysteries to enjoying wildlife encounters and tranquil walks along its scenic river.

1. Explore Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

I highly recommend embarking on a cruise across the vast, mysterious waters of Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for its legendary inhabitant. Combining this with a visit to the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle provides a fascinating dive into over a thousand years of Scottish history. The castle's strategic position on the loch offers stunning views, and exploring its medieval walls, Grant Tower, and visitor centre truly brings the past to life.

Cost: A Loch Ness cruise often includes a stop at Urquhart Castle. Boat tours vary, but a 3-hour tour including coach transport from Inverness Bus Station, a 1-hour cruise, and 1-hour ashore at Urquhart Castle can be around £29 . Entrance to Urquhart Castle alone costs £9 for adults if purchased separately . Jacobite Cruises offer various trips from different departure points, including Inverness Bus Station .

Transport: Loch Ness is about 19 miles (16 road miles) from Inverness. Several bus services connect Inverness to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. The Scottish Citylink 917 bus runs hourly from Inverness Bus Station to Achnahannet Farm, taking approximately 37-40 minutes and costing £6-£9 . For Urquhart Castle specifically, Citylink buses to Fort William will pass by, and you can pay the driver. Alternatively, taxis cost around £35-£45 and take about 22-23 minutes . Many organised tours also depart directly from Inverness, combining the cruise and castle visit .

2. Visit Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre

Walking across the hallowed ground of Culloden Battlefield is a profoundly moving experience. The site of the last pitched battle on British soil, where the Jacobite Rising met its tragic end in 1746, is meticulously preserved. The excellent visitor centre and museum offer immersive exhibits and artifacts, providing deep insight into the conflict and its enduring legacy. Taking the time to walk the battlefield, marked with flags for the opposing sides, allows for quiet contemplation of this pivotal moment in Scottish history.

Cost: Entry to the visitor centre costs £12.50 for adults, or £16.50 including a guided battlefield tour . Parking is £5 for non-members .

Transport: Culloden Battlefield is approximately 6 miles east of Inverness. A direct bus service (Stagecoach North Scotland from Falcon Sq or Citybus #27 from Inverness Bus Station) operates hourly, taking about 23 minutes and costing £3-£4 . A taxi ride takes about 9 minutes and costs £16-£19 . It's often combined with a visit to Clava Cairns, with some taxis offering a combined trip .

3. Explore Clava Cairns

Just a short distance from Culloden, the ancient Clava Cairns offer a serene and mystical encounter with Bronze Age history. These well-preserved circular burial cairns and standing stones, dating back 4,000 years, exude a powerful sense of timelessness. Wandering amongst the stones, particularly the ring cairns, provides a unique connection to Scotland's distant past. The 'Outlander effect' has certainly brought more attention to this evocative site.

Cost: Entry to Clava Cairns is free, and the site is open 24/7 .

Transport: Clava Cairns is about 7 miles from Inverness, located 300 yards east of Culloden Battlefield . A direct bus from Falcon Sq to Culloden Moor Inn takes around 24 minutes and costs £3-£4. From the Culloden Moor Inn, it's still a walk to Clava Cairns . Taxis from Inverness cost around £18-£23 and take about 11 minutes . It is commonly visited in conjunction with Culloden Battlefield, and some taxi drivers will wait while you explore both sites .

4. Take an Inverness City Walking Tour

Joining a guided walking tour of Inverness is an excellent way to grasp the city's rich history and vibrant culture. My experience revealed hidden gems and local folklore that I would have otherwise missed. Expert local guides bring the city to life, sharing insights into its development from a royal city, through Jacobite risings, to its modern-day charm. You'll stroll past key sights like Inverness Castle, Inverness Cathedral, the River Ness, and the Old High Church, gaining a deeper appreciation for this 'Capital of the Highlands'.

Cost: Public guided walking tours typically cost around £12-£19.46 per person for a 1.5-hour tour, with kids often going free . Private tours are also available at varying costs .

Transport: These tours typically start from a central location, such as outside the VisitScotland iCentre on High Street, making them easily accessible on foot from anywhere in the city centre .

5. Go Dolphin Watching in the Moray Firth

Venturing onto the Moray Firth for a dolphin watching trip is an exhilarating experience. The chance to see the resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the most northerly in the world, is truly special. Onboard guides provide engaging commentary, highlighting not only the dolphins but also other marine wildlife like seals and various seabirds. The scenic cruise offers beautiful views of the coastline, making it a memorable wildlife adventure.

Cost: Boat trips range from 75 minutes to 2 hours. A 75-minute 'Spirit Cruise' can cost around £21 for an adult and £45 for a family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) . A 2-hour 'Wildlife Cruise' or 'Mischief Wildlife Experience' can cost £35 for adults, £25 for children, or £99 for a family (2 adults, 2 children) .

Transport: Boat tours usually depart from Inverness Marina, which is a short taxi ride or a longer walk from the city centre. Public transport options might be limited directly to the marina, so a taxi is often the most convenient way if not part of a pre-arranged tour. Alternatively, dolphins can sometimes be spotted from land at locations like Merkinch Local Nature Reserve or Chanonry Point, which can be reached by car or public bus routes to nearby towns .

6. Ascend the Inverness Castle Viewpoint

While Inverness Castle itself has been undergoing extensive renovations to become a major visitor attraction, the Viewpoint has offered an incredible 360-degree panorama of the city and its surroundings. Climbing to the top provides breathtaking vistas over the River Ness, the cityscape, and the distant Highlands. It’s an ideal spot to orient yourself and capture stunning photographs, appreciating the strategic beauty of Inverness.

Cost: The Inverness Castle Experience, set to fully reopen in late summer 2025, will have new pricing. Current information indicates adult tickets might be around £20-£22, with child and family options also available . Historically, access to the viewpoint alone was around £6 for adults .

Transport: Inverness Castle is centrally located and easily accessible by foot from most parts of the city centre .

7. Stroll along the River Ness and Ness Islands

Taking a leisurely walk along the River Ness and across its picturesque Ness Islands is a wonderfully relaxing way to experience Inverness. The river, which gives the city its name, flows through the heart of the city, and the connected islands create a natural park-like setting. I enjoyed the tranquility of the suspension bridges, the towering trees, and the soothing sound of the water, often forgetting I was still within a city. It's a perfect spot for a gentle stroll or a peaceful afternoon.

Cost: This activity is free.

Transport: The River Ness flows directly through the city centre, and the Ness Islands are easily accessible via Victorian suspension bridges, making them within walking distance of most central accommodations .

Check out our other pages on Inverness

Getting There icon Getting There Restaurants icon Restaurants Bars and Entertainment icon Bars and Entertainment Hotels icon Hotels Budget Stays icon Budget Stays

Discover destinations in Scotland

Argyll & The West Coast
Central & East Scotland
Southern Scotland
The Scottish Highlands & Islands