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Inverness Cathedral
Inverness
Take a trip to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Voted as one of the ‘50 Best Places to Travel in 2025’ by Travel + Leisure, explore this compact city and discover a slower way of life, but still with interesting things to do and events. Use Inverness as a base to explore Highland scenery, iconic castles, majestic mountains and unique wildlife, including the famous Loch Ness monster.
Great things to do in Inverness
Inverness has everything from history to wild landscapes on its doorstep. Explore distilleries and castles, and go looking for the famous Loch Ness monster.
12 Amazing activities & things to do in Inverness
Discover a range of attractions, activities, tours, and more in Inverness, offering something for every interest.
10 Hidden gems in and around Inverness
Explore the secret spots & attractions of Inverness, from mysterious burial cairns and sheltered riverside paths, to fantastic bars and cafes.
Castles and historical sites
Discover the rich history of Inverness by exploring its castles and nearby historical landmarks.
Boat tours
Cruise the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. Will you spot Nessie?
Outdoor activities
Hike, bike, paddle, and explore the wild beauty of Inverness – where the great outdoors is right on your doorstep.
Whisky distilleries and experiences
Discover world-renowned distilleries in and around Inverness and savour the true spirit of the Highlands.
Top days out ideas
Looking for unforgettable ways to spend the day? Wander through the peaceful paths of the Ness Islands, go dolphin spotting at Chanonry Point, or browse local finds at the Victorian Market.
New: Inverness Castle Experience
Now open, don't miss the immersive Inverness Castle Experience when visiting Inverness.
Culloden Battlefield
Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil.
Plodda Falls
Tucked deep in the forest near Glen Affric, Plodda Falls is a stunning hidden gem – a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Inverness Botanic Gardens
Don’t miss the Tropical House with its coffee, bananas, and pineapple plants.
Leakey's Bookshop
A really cool bookshop!
Shopping in Inverness
Shopping in Inverness blends local character with modern flair, offering something for every kind of shopper.
The Highlands movie map
Explore iconic locations across the Highlands that have starred in blockbuster movies.
Explore Highland wildlife
See where to catch a glimpse of a variety of Scottish species including majestic red deer, black grouse, golden eagles, osprey and ptarmigan.
Meet the Highland coos
Get up close with one of Scotland’s most iconic residents, the Highland coos when visiting Inverness.
Dolphin spotting
The waters around Inverness are perfect for dolphin spotting!
Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries
Whether you're after a scenic day walk, a cycling route through rugged landscapes, or a full itinerary packed with hidden gems, there’s a trail here with your name on it.
Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Clava Cairns
Follow a route
Inverness is surrounded by scenic walks and peaceful woodland paths. Plan a hike up a nearby mountain, or cycle around a nearby loch.
See what's on in Inverness
Take part in an exhilarating cycling event, see an inspiring theatre show, join a cosy pub gig, or get a flavour of traditional Scotland at the Inverness Highland Games.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
© VisitScotland / Iona Spence
Events
Whether you're planning a night out or a weekend away, explore what’s on and soak up the vibrant spirit of the city.
Map of Inverness
Explore Inverness
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Travel to and around Inverness
Plan your trip to Inverness with our handy travel info, or check out Visit Inverness Loch Ness for more travel tips.
Getting to Inverness
Bus and coach
There are many frequent and affordable bus services that travel from various main cities to Inverness daily.
Train
Inverness railway station is right in the heart of the city and has frequent fast and reliable services to and from major cities.
LNER trains run along the east coast from cities such as London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
ScotRail provides an express rail service direct to Inverness from many major cities.
Inverness can also be reached overnight from London on the Caledonian Sleeper.
Travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper
ScotRail are also offering a 20% discount on off-peak tickets for Caledonian Sleeper customers.
Driving
Inverness is linked to the rest of Scotland and UK by the A9. It is a great base for travelling further north or west into the Highlands, or for exploring Moray Speyside to the east.
- From Edinburgh or Glasgow - 3 hours
- From Manchester - 6 hours 30 minutes
- From Birmingham - 8 hours
Flying
Inverness Airport is located 9 miles north-east of Inverness. You can fly from a number of destinations across the UK and Europe.
You can travel from the airport to the city centre in around 30 minutes by bus, tram, taxi or car.
Getting around Inverness
Walking
Inverness is easily explored on foot with most key attractions within walking distance of each other. Attractions beyond the city centre can be reached cost effectively by public transport and again explored further by foot.
Cycling
You can easily hire a bike in Inverness from Ticket To Ride or use the Hi-Bike service.
Check out the Hi-Travel active travel map for recommended routes | PDF 1.9MB
Bus and coach
Stagecoach operate regular buses across the city of Inverness.
Plan your journey within Inverness with Stagecoach
Taxi
There are several taxi companies available in Inverness. There are also licensed taxi ranks at Inverness Airport, Inverness Bus Station and Inverness Train Station.
Tours
Want to relax and let someone else drive?
Book a tour and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide as they highlight points of interest, stop off at the best hidden gems and visit the iconic landmarks you’ve heard all about.
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
© VisitSCotland/Luigi Di Pasquale
Places to stay
City centre hostels, quiet apartments or comfortable hotels – find accommodation in Inverness for your break.
Ness Walk Hotel and the Torrish Restaurant
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Places to eat in Inverness
Enjoy a tasty bar meal, dine in a luxury restaurant, or find a food truck serving fresh local produce. There are some great places to eat in and around Inverness.
Inverness Botanic Gardens
© Alison White
Find information on accessible trips
Whether you're exploring the city centre, discovering local museums, or venturing into the Highlands, accessible facilities and helpful support make it easy to enjoy your journey.
Explore nearby
Inverness is a great base for exploring the Highlands. A short drive takes you to Loch Ness, rugged Highland landscapes, and the wild beauty of Cairngorms National Park.
Loch Ness
Discover world-famous Loch Ness with holiday ideas, accommodation, travel and maps, tours, insider tips and fantastic things to see and do.
The Scottish Highlands
Head north for a weekend break or longer holiday in the Highlands, and discover ancient castles, peaceful lochs, and unforgettable views.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forests, rivers, lochs, wildlife, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine.
Other things you might like
The Scottish Highlands
9 Hidden gems you mustn't miss around Loch Ness
Aviemore
A first-time adventure to Caithness & Sutherland
7 Unmissable things to do in and around Aviemore
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