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Inverness Scotland Mini Guide
28
items Your guide of things to do, see and eat in Inverness.
I have also included some accommodation at the bottom of this post. Inverness is the main city in the highlands, where the River Ness and the Moray Firth meet. The city itself, I find is very walkable and is a good base for exploring the surrounding ...
I have also included some accommodation at the bottom of this post. Inverness is the main city in the highlands, where the River Ness and the Moray Firth meet. The city itself, I find is very walkable and is a good base for exploring the surrounding ...
Sections
6
Things To Do
Where to eat
Pubs and Live Music
Where to Stay
Transport
Day Trips
Things To Do
Although Inverness may be the gateway to the Scottish Highlands there is plenty to see and do in the city centre itself.
Inverness Castle (Re-opening Spring 2025)
Situated on the edge of the River Ness, has a long history that initially dates back to 1057, however the red sandstone building that you see today dates back to 1836. The walls of the castle has seen some t...
Inverness Castle
Visit Leakey’s Bookshop.
In the centre of town you will spot the magical Leakey’s Bookshop, Scotland’s largest second hand book shop.
Filled with over 100,000 books, Leakey’s is the perfect place if you’re a bookworm. The bookshop is set in a form...
Leakey's Bookshop
Ness Walk and Island
The beauty of Inverness is that you can be walking in the centre of the city and within a few minutes you are surrounded by nature and peace and quiet.
Along the River Ness is a collection of naturally formed islands that you ...
Ness Islands
Inverness has a rich history and I always find the best way to really understand a place is to join a walking tour. Take a tour with a qualified guide, Cath. She was born and raised in Inverness and knows the city like the back of her hand.
Guided Walking Tour Inverness
The Victorian Market is a covered indoor market that has recently under gone a fantastic transformation. Home to over 30 different independent businesses,
The market dates back to 1890 and you can still admire the cast iron ornate decoration and be...
The Victorian Market
Abertarff is the oldest house standing in Inverness, dating back to 1593. The house is under the management of the National Trust for Scotland.
You can visit inside and learn about the Jacobite risings, the Covananters and the previous owners. One...
Abertarff House
If you're an active person and would like to experience the beauty of the area, check out Inverness Bike tours, they offer guided tours along the canals and waterways on relatively flat terrain. Their tours last around 2 hours and leave from a centra...
Bike along scenic trails around Inverness · ★4.98
Where to eat
Inverness is blessed with many restaurants, cafes and takeaways. Scottish food is widely available if you want to try some Scottish haggis.
If you are looking for somewhere along the river, then check out Rocpool on Ness Walk if you want to try modern Scottish food. If you are a seafood fan, you will like this place. I recommend you try Kedgeree, it’s a curried rice dish we have here wit...
Rocpool Restaurant
Macgregor’s Bar on Academy Street is a great craft beer place that serves food. They serve the classic haggis and black pudding if you want to try. Or if you visit on a Sunday then treat yourself to a traditional Sunday roast. (they have a 3 meats ...
MacGregors
Perk coffee and doughnuts serve high standard barista coffee, and of course doughnuts! The cafe on church street is a great place for starting your day in Inverness. If doughnuts aren’t for you, they have a selection of pastries, sandwiches and soup.
PERK
This upmarket restaurant is set in a former church and offers great views across Inverness. They serve local produce, meat and fish on their menu. If you'd like to try locally sourced venison, give this restaurant a go. They have an early dinner menu... Their desserts and cocktail menu is worth it too.
The Mustard Seed - Inverness
If you're looking for fresh and locally caught seafood then you'll find something decent here. They have a specialised Oyster and Mussels menu and if you're looking for some traditional fish and chips be sure to try them on the menu.
River House Restaurant Inverness
Situated within the Victorian Market Salt N Fire is great if you want a vegan option in the city centre. Their signature wontons and empanadas are popular, alongside their hearty falafel wraps and bowls. If you want something smaller, they have loade...
Salt & Fire Inverness (Vegan).
Situated on the other side of the river from the Castle, Grain and Grind offer exceptional barista made coffee. They have a small selection of cakes, brownies and sausage rolls. They are dog friendly too.
Grain and Grind Coffee
Pubs and Live Music
Inverness is blessed with many great pubs and especially live Scottish folk music. When I visit the city my go to is Hootenannys it has great atmosphere.
Somewhere central (Bank Street) that has a great bar, food and live music is Johnny Foxes. This place is an Inverness institution. The atmosphere is warm and they frequently have live music as well as a decent selection of beers on tap. It can be cro...
Johnny Foxes - Inverness
Hootananny’s is a family run pub and live music venue. If you are a visitor and want to experience the buzz of a traditional Scottish Ceilidh then head here. You can find them in the centre of town on Church Street.
They play live folk music almost ...
Hootananny
Situated in the centre of Inverness. Black Isle have 26 taps pouring the latest Black Isle brews and a wide selection of craft beers (over 100) from all over the world. Black Isle Brewery is very local to Inverness and very popular in the area. If be...
Black Isle Craft Beer Bar.
Located just a stones throw from Inverness Castle is a traditional Scottish ale pub. They have an outdoor beer garden area and offer food too.
The Castle Tavern
Where to Stay
My general advice is if you are not hiring a car, then base yourself around the river Ness. I would also plan early for the summer month as Inverness can be popular during high season.
Just a ten minute walk from Inverness Castle, this hotel is centrally located and offers clean rooms with comfortable beds, bathrobes and desk for working. With free parking and WiFi, Heathmount Hotel also serves a high-quality restaurant menu, inclu...
Heathmount Hotel, Inverness (10 mins from train station).
Situated 15 minutes away from the main train station, the Kingsmill apartments are perfect if travelling in a group. Guests enjoy a garden and free WiFi. The apartment features a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, oven, stovetop, ...
Kingsmills Apartments
Luxury guest house has rooms feature private bathrooms with walk-in showers, bathrobes, and free WiFi.All rooms are en-suite and 3 of them have private garden areas. The accommodation also benefits from free off-street parking. Relax in their lounge ...
The Koko Rooms (Luxury)
Set just outside of Inverness on the banks of the sea, Brunchew is a 17th century manor house. With dark-wood panelling and real log fireplaces at both ends of the room, the Drawing Room is a warm cosy place to relax. Each en suite room is individual...
Bunchrew House Hotel (Luxury)
Transport
There is no uber in Inverness, if you wish to get a car pick up I have linked a local taxi company below.
The main bus station in Inverness is very centrally located. Inverness is accessible from bigger cities such as Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
You can book your bus tickets in advance online.
Megabus Inter City Buses in Scotland
Reliable taxi cab company in Inverness
Inverness City Taxis Ltd.
Day Trips
You cannot visit Inverness without seeing the iconic Loch Ness. This trip will take you to the loch where you will enjoy a scenic boat trip. Followed by a visit to the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the banks of the loch. The tour leaves from the Invern...
Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle visit from Inverness
If you are short on time but still want to experience the beauty of Skye then this is a great day trip.This full-day tour takes you from Inverness to Skye where you'll visit all of the island's top sights, including Portree, Kilt Rock and Fairy Pools...
The Ultimate Isle of Skye Day Tour from Inverness
Whether you are an Outlander fan or not, this tour will take you through the thought provoking battlefield of Culloden and to the nearby Clava Cairns. Then enjoy the rural area with a peaceful walk through Glen Affric.
Glen Affric & Culloden Tour from Inverness Including Admissions
Discover the real history behind Outlander on this guided tour. Visit the Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns, and the Highland Folk Museum. Enjoy a whisky tasting at the Tomatin Distillery and see the Ruthven Barracks.
Inverness: Outlander Tour with Whisky Tasting