5 Best Things To Do In Inverness, Scotland: Plan Your Short Stay

Visit Inverness In The Scottish Highlands

Inverness is the biggest city in the Scottish Highlands. It is very picturesque, settled along the River Ness, with charming buildings, scenic bridges, and pleasant walkways following the river banks.

We spent two nights in Inverness before starting our drive along the North Coast 500 route. Inverness is mainly known as the gateway to this popular drive and a perfect jumping off point to other well-known areas of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. But in our opinion, Inverness also has a lot to offer all on its own, with plenty of things to do.

This article will highlight what we think are the best things to do in Inverness to encourage you to spend a little more time in this lovely city.

Highlights Around Inverness

Where Is Inverness Located?

This northernmost city of the Scottish Highlands is located right between the entrance to the River Ness and the inlet of Moray Firth. It is approximately 3 hours north of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

What To Do In Inverness For A Day

Walking Tour

A great way to get your bearings and cover all the significant sights is by taking a walking tour. Since Inverness isn’t very big, you can cover many of the major sights on a tour that is only 1 1/2 hours. This is a perfect way to explore the city with a local person and hear about the history and legends of the area.

It is also a great way to collect some recommendations for restaurants and pubs that you can visit while there. This is something we always plan for the first day in a new place.

✅ This is a highly rated walking tour that you could book on your first day. It provides background on the history and culture, while showcasing the city’s main highlights. It is a perfect introduction to Inverness.

Victoria Market

Similar to the arcade-style architecture that we have seen in the covered markets of Melbourne and Brussels, the Victorian Market in Inverness is a charming building that dates to 1891. This is the second market that was built here after the first one was destroyed by a fire.

While the shops and restaurants are modern, you can still see some very nice structural elements of the building that are worth noting from when it was originally a fish market. The domed roof made of cast iron and wood, and the rounded shape of the shop entrances, give it the characteristics popular at that time. 

There are three sections to the market, including the Market Hall, Market Arcade and Queensgate Arcade. Each of the thirty shops is a small, independent business, so you won’t find them anywhere outside of Inverness. If you are looking for something unique, it is a great spot for souvenir shopping, and you can enjoy something to eat once you have your fill of retail therapy.

Explore The Ness Walk and Suspension Bridges

Arguably, the most beautiful part of Inverness is the area along the River Ness. Designated as the Ness Walk, this loop is 2.5 kms long and is a serene area where you can enjoy an easy walk. The pathways are lined with trees, and you will cross over the river and small islands on footbridges. 

Inverness has some attractive pedestrian suspension bridges, with the two largest ones being the Greig Street Bridge and Infirmiry Bridge. Both are painted white and offer easy access to cross from one side of the river to the other. As the landmarks of Inverness, they make for some pretty pictures with the city as a backdrop.

Along this area, you will see some buildings with pleasant architecture, including the Inverness Cathedral, which dates back 150 years.

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Walk Around The Inverness City Centre

The city centre of Inverness is a very walkable area. This is where you will find all the usual shops, restaurants, pubs and services that you may need, including a pharmacy, hairdresser, etc.

The main thoroughfare is High Street. This is a pleasant street that is pedestrian only which leads to the Eastgate Shopping Mall, so there is no shortage of places to explore for purchases and entertainment.

Inverness Castle

Sitting on the hill in the city is Inverness Castle. Two different sections are visible that date to 1830 and 1840. The buildings were built to accommodate both the courthouse and the prison. It sits upon the original area where a medieval fort was installed, which gives it a perfect vantage point over the surrounding area.

The premises of the castle have not been used for many years, so when we visited, it wasn’t open to the public. There were plans to renovate and reopen the castle with a new Inverness Castle Experience, an interactive exhibition being installed inside and the grounds fully restored. Plus, a restaurant and gift shop will be open on-site. This project hasn’t yet been completed, but make sure to check out their website for opening details to see if you can visit when you go to Inverness.

The castle building is still a beautiful sight to see from the outside.

Tour Loch Ness

Located just a short distance outside of Inverness are the famous cruises that visit Loch Ness. We took this cruise, and while it was a relaxing hour on a boat, we didn’t think the landscape was overly scenic around the lake. 

We did enjoy hearing the history of the area and the legends of Nessie told by the narrator during the trip, and one of the fun things was that they had a little decal on the window that could give you that perfect picture moment.

But honestly, unless you really want to say you went looking for the Loch Ness monster, you may want to just visit the lake and try your luck at seeing her from the shore. 

✅ If you decide to take the boat cruise, we recommend this one. It is a 1-hour boat ride that shows you the lake and the surrounding area, including a full narration of the legends of the loch.

Is Inverness Scotland Worth Visiting?

Inverness is an idyllic city that is large enough to have a variety of shops and restaurants, but also still has a cozy feeling. We feel it is worth spending some relaxing time here to explore the little streets and the pretty scenery. It is a perfect idea to use Inverness as a base for exploring the area. 

Where To Stay – Hotels In Inverness

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Inverness, we can recommend the Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel.  It was in a great location right on the river and only a few minutes walk to the city centre. The room was clean and spacious, and it was convenient to have breakfast on-site and complimentary parking.

On the other side of the river is a property that we saw that looks fabulous. The Ness Walk Hotel, located in a renovated 19th century home is considered a 5-star accommodation, and reviewers can’t say enough about the level of service received. They offer stylish and comfortable rooms, as well as fine dining in their on-site restaurant. We would definitely try this place on our next visit.

Restaurants In Inverness

A notable spot where we enjoyed a meal and the atmosphere was at the Black Isle Brewery. With more than 100 craft beers available, there is certainly something for everyone. They offer wood-fired pizzas, and we quite enjoyed the ones that we had. It is a very relaxed location and perfect for a meal and a beer.

Another great spot that we tried is the family-owned Rocpool Restaurant. This is more upscale, and the fresh and creative dishes are beautifully presented. Think of it more like a French brasserie with a Scottish twist. Highly recommended!

The Final Word…Best Things To Do In Inverness

Our time in Inverness was a very nice experience. The locals are super friendly and welcoming. We loved the size of the city and that we could walk everywhere, and it provided a spot where we could slow down a little and enjoy some Scottish hospitality. We would recommend that you include a stay in this endearing city when you plan your trip to Scotland.