Ten Best Things to Do in Inverness
The ten best things to do in Inverness include walks along the river to visit the Ness Islands, seeing the Caledonian Canal, and enjoying live music sessions.
Inverness is a small city and the main sights in the city centre can easily be seen in a couple of days. Allow another couple of days to see the best of the sites around the city, like Loch Ness and Culloden.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Housed in a modern building behind the tourist information centre, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is the city’s main visitor attraction. Inside is a treasure trove of information on Inverness from its earliest beginnings through the 20th century, and the history, natural history and culture of the Highlands.
Among the displays on the ground floor are examples of the mysterious carved Pictish symbol stones and gracefully drawn Pictish animal art; exhibits on Inverness during medieval times, and dioramas of Highland wildlife and habitats. Upstairs there are fine displays of Inverness silver, Jacobite miniatures and memorabilia, Highland costume and weaponry, and a re-creation of Mrs Rollo’s kitchen from the early 20th century. The Art Gallery, also on the first floor, stages a variety of changing exhibitions. https://www.highlifehighland.com/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/
Victorian Market
Entering this covered market with its old-fashioned arcade of shops is a step back in time. After the original 1870 market was destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1890 and is bordered by four city blocks, with entrances off each. The Academy Street entrance is the most striking, with Corinthian-style arches and carved animals on the keystones. As you browse the more than 40 specialty shops selling everything from bagpipes to jokes to Celtic music and gifts, notice the toy train running around the top of the market, courtesy of the local model railway club. https://www.thevictorianmarket.com/
Walk along the River Ness to Ness Islands
In the early 1800s, the city fathers had the foresight to purchase the Ness Islands, preserving this natural beauty spot as a recreational retreat for the people of Inverness. Covered with mature trees, it serves as an important wildlife corridor between the Moray Firth and Loch Ness. Bats, otters, and a variety of birds can be seen here, while the salmon pools make this a popular urban fishing spot in season.
You can cross to the islands from both the East and West banks. The first bridge to the islands was built in 1829 and another followed, but both were washed away in a flood 20 years later. They were replaced by wooden suspension bridges which stood until 1987-88, when the current bridges were erected. In recent years local artists have enhanced the islands with sculpted benches, gateways, and bridge balustrades that complement the natural woodland surroundings.
Traditional Music in an Inverness pub
Pubs like Hootananny’s and Blackfriar’s put on live music sessions all year round, and a night in one of the city’s many music bars is a real Inverness experience.
Caledonian Canal
The Caledonian Canal has its northern terminus in Inverness and is a great recreational asset to the city. People stroll and cycle along the towpath beside its banks, picking berries in season, spotting wildlife or simply watching the pleasure boats cruise the waters and navigate the locks.
The canal joins the Beauly Firth at Clachnaharry. It flows south through a wide section called the Muirtown Basin, where you can see a variety of boats in the marina. Below the swing bridge over Telford Street are the Muirtown Locks, a flight of four.
In the city, the prettiest section of the canal lies south of the Tomnahurich Bridge (Glenurquhart Road), where it swings round to parallel the River Ness. A favourite walk is along the towpath on the south bank of the canal, where it overlooks the river running at a lower elevation. You can follow it all the way to the locks at Dochgarroch, a distance of about 3 miles (5 kms), and return up the other side.
A Dolphin Cruise
Everybody loves dolphins and the Moray Firth is home to the most northerly resident group of bottlenose dolphins in Europe. There are several dolphin cruise companies to choose from, including:
https://www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk/
https://www.moraydolphins.co.uk/inverness.html
Visit Loch Ness
Even without its monster reputation this would be one of the country’s most popular lochs, for its size and its beauty. If you’re not driving, you can take a cruise on Loch Ness from Inverness with Jacobile Cruises: https://www.jacobite.co.uk
Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre
Culloden Moor was the last stand of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces in 1746, and the bloody slaughter on this battlefield was a turning point in Scottish history. The excellent Visitor Centre tells the story of events before and after the battle, and touchscreens enable you to hear eyewitness accounts from both Government and Jacobite supporters. Then walk the battlefield itself with an audio guide explaining what happened where. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden
Clava Cairns
Three ancient burial cairns, surrounded by stone circles, are set in a peaceful shaded grove. You can walk into one of the passage graves. Dating from 2,000 BC, they were once part of a much larger Bronze Age burial site. The cairns are signposted from the B9091, 1 mile (1.6 kms) east of Culloden, and are open access. https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/clava-cairns-p245611
Cawdor Castle
The Cawdor family still live in this romantic medieval castle, but you can cross the drawbridge and tour its historic rooms, winding passageways and the atmospheric Thorn Tree room. Despite its connection with Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the castle dates from the late 14th century, long after its literary time-frame. Afterwards, stroll in the beautiful gardens or follow the nature trails through the ancient trees in Cawdor Big Wood. https://www.cawdorcastle.com/
