5 Amazing Things To Do In & Around Inverness

After leaving Edinburgh, Inverness was the second stage of our Scotland road trip, and we can honestly say it did not disappoint. Inverness itself was lovely, and there are tons of things to do and see in the surrounding area making it a perfect home base for a few days of exploration. For our itinerary, we mostly explored beyond the city, but we’ve also included a few things we would have done if we’d had more time in the city. You’ll want to check these out yourself because we’re kind of bummed we missed them the first time.

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Clava Cairns

If you’re hoping to see some standing stones while in Scotland, you’re in luck if you find yourself near Inverness. Clava Cairns dates back to the Bronze Age is located just 20 minutes from Inverness. You can find more about the history of the site here. Clava Cairns was unlike any place we’d ever visited, and with it’s convenience to Inverness, we consider it a must see while in the area.

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden Battlefield, the site of the bloody end to the 1745 Jacobite Rising, is another one of those things we consider a must see while in Inverness. It is located just 15 minutes from the city and just 5 minutes from the Clava Cairns site so you can easily make a day of it. Aside from walking through the battlefield itself, there is an onsite museum that is definitely worth checking out. We’d recommend at least 2 hours to really get the most of your visit and you could easily spend longer than that if you take your time in the museum. You can find more information on opening hours, ticket prices, and a brief history of the site here.

Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle was still an active government building until recently and is currently not open to the public. Still, the view of the impressive castle perched on a cliff overlooking River Ness is quite the site. If you’re staying in the city, which we would recommend, you can easily enjoy this view while strolling to dinner or venturing further into the city center. You can’t quite beat sitting on a bench by the water and enjoying the castle bathed in golden hour light.

There has been an exciting update coming for Inverness Castle in 2025. The Inverness Castle Experience is currently in the works, which upon completion, will offer a whole new way to experience the splendor the this historic castle. Renovations are underway for this new attraction that will surely be an addition to any Inverness itinerary in the future. You can read more about the project here.

Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness

A visit to Loch Ness is something you simply must do while in Inverness, but you might not know you can do so while also exploring the ruins of Urquhart Castle. The castle is about 40 minutes from Inverness, and we actually made this our last stop in the area before continuing on towards Isle of Skye. If you aren’t looking to actually go out onto the waters of Loch Ness, a visit to Urquhart Castle is a great way to experience the beauty of Loch Ness and discover the interest history of the castle itself. You can book tickets for Urquhart Castle here.

If you are looking to experience a cruise on Loch Ness this 1 hour tour and this 2 hour tour would be good options to consider.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is the UK’s largest national park and is located just 30 minutes from Inverness. Whether you’re looking to do some hiking in the area or just planning a peaceful drive through the Scottish countryside, Cairngorms National Park is a great addition to your Inverness itinerary. If you’re driving to Inverness from Edinburgh or Aberdeen like we did, the route will actually take you through part of the park as well. Find more helpful information to plan your visit here.

Even More Things to Do in Inverness

Here’s what we missed and what you should consider adding to your own Inverness itinerary!

• Inverness Cathedral – a gorgeous Cathedral with rich history in the city centre
• Leakey’s Bookshop – a huge used bookstore in Inverness that is a must for any book lover!
• The Highlanders’ Museum – any history buff would delight in a visit to this museum located in the historic Fort George site about 30 minutes from Inverness

If a guided tour is more your speed this half-day tour hits most of the things we listed above. We wanted more time at Culloden Battlefield, but if you’re in a rush or hoping to make time for other stops it would be one to consider.