9 Best Things to Do in Inverness

The Victorian Market is a 19th-century shopping arcade that houses over 40 stores selling fresh produce, spices, souvenirs, jewellery and clothing. Located in Old Town Inverness, this market is fully indoors thanks to its ornate Victorian-era roof made from iron and wood.

One of its most recognised features is its well-preserved clock, which hasn’t stopped ticking since 1890. If you’re feeling hungry, Victorian Market has several cafes and restaurants serving meals, pastries and coffee. The lively, central social area welcomes you to sit back and soak up the atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you can enjoy local musicians’ performances as you dine.

The Highland House of Fraser is a family-run business that’s known to produce some of the best bespoke kilts in Inverness. Set along Huntly Street, the shop houses The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, where you can learn about the history of the Highland costume through workshops, films, digital presentations, and clothing exhibits. Here you can also meet the people who make kilts, and you’ll find the answers to all questions related to kilts.

If you want to wear a traditional kilt during your stay in Inverness, rental services are available.

Culloden Moor was the scene of the battle of Culloden, which took place on 16th April 1746. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the history of Scotland, which resulted in the death of over 1,000 Jacobite soldiers. Today, you can explore the moors and take in its picturesque surroundings. Stay in one of the luxury estate house hotels or quaint cottages located in Culloden Moor.

There’s also a visitor centre with a rooftop terrace overlooking the battlefield. Here, you can visit its onsite gallery displaying Jacobite artefacts found in Culloden Moor, including coins, weapons and clothes. You can also watch 6-minute film of the battle at its immersion theatre, giving you a look into Scotland’s bleak history. 

Clava Cairns is an ancient burial ground about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) southeast of Culloden Moor. It dates back to the Bronze Age and has a collection of passage graves, cairns and standing stones.

There are 2 cemetery complexes within Clava Cairns, namely Balnuaran of Clava and Milton of Clava. Balnuaran is arguably the most popular site as it has 3 massive cairns surrounded by stone circles. Just a short walk away, Milton is where you can find the ruins of a medieval chapel.

Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland’s most beautiful castles, where you can spend a day exploring its medieval architecture and taking in its beautiful surroundings. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, this medieval fortress is set along the banks of Loch Ness.

You can climb the spiral stairway that leads to the top of Grant Tower to enjoy expansive views of the freshwater loch and Great Glen. Other notable features of Urquhart Castle include a stone drawbridge, dungeon and a full-scale trebuchet siege engine, all of which gives you a glimpse into Scotland’s medieval times.

Inverness Highland Games is a long-running festival in Inverness, where athletes from all over the world gather and compete in a variety of sports competition. Founded in 1822, it takes place at Bught Park, along the western bank of the River Ness.

You can enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with dance performances, talented pipers and jovial locals dressed in traditional costumes. Among the many sports events to watch at the Inverness Highland Games include the caber toss, long jump, shot put and track running. The Inverness Highland Games is held every July.

Loch Ness is an iconic freshwater loch that’s rumoured to be the home of a mythic creature called Nessie. There’s a visitor center dedicated to the Loch Ness Monster, where you can learn more about its history through an extensive collection of witness accounts, photographs, digital projection and computer graphics.

If you’re a hiking enthusiast, the South Loch Ness Trail spans over 28  miles (45 km) of designated paths and forest roads at varying altitudes. For a more leisurely way of exploring Loch Ness, many agencies organise boat cruises throughout the year. You can also stay near Loch Ness and explore the area on your own accord.

Along the Highland whiskey trail you can find traditional distilleries that have been producing quality single malts since the 19th century. Inverness has some of the best distilleries in Scotland, many of which offer guided tours and whiskey-tasting sessions throughout the year.

It can take about an hour’s drive between each stop, so save time by visiting 1 or 2 venues for the day. Founded in 1838, the Glen Ord Distillery is a popular stop for fans of its 12-year-old Singleton Scotch.

River Ness is the centre of action in Inverness, where you can find lively pubs and taverns that are within walking distance of the city’s many Gothic churches, castles and local markets. Church and Bridge Streets are home to reputable taverns such as Gellions Bar and Hootananny.

Founded in 1841, Gellions Bar serves a variety of whiskeys and Scottish dishes. Aside from its nightly live music, the bar hosts a traditional ceilidh (social gathering) every Saturday, giving you a chance to learn some traditional Scottish dance moves.