INVERNESS, SCOTLAND - TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Scotland is a rural country, with some areas that are quite difficult to access and mostly wild nature, very little touched by humans. Here you have the chance to see many wild animals and birds in their natural habitat, more than in any other area in Europe where the same species live.
As you might expect, Inverness is not isolated from the rest of the country, even though it is a city. It is a very quiet, green place and may seem boring to people looking for hustle and bustle.
In this article I will give you the information you need to plan a city break in Inverness and I will also give you some names of places to visit nearby. You can also get inspiration from the article I already wrote about how to plan a 7 day trip to Scotland.
HOW TO GET TO INVERNESS:
Although the city is served by an airport, it is quite small, with few international flights. The easiest way to get to Inverness is either by flight from London or other large cities, such as Oxford or Manchester, or by train. The companies that operate regular train services are LNER and ScotRail. In addition, the coach option is also available. The company Megabus operates these services.
Another option to get to Inverness is as part of an organized tour that includes this city in the itinerary. There are a multitude of tours online, the ones that caught my attention are: here and here.
WHAT TO VISIT IN INVERNESS, SCOTLAND - TOP PLACES
The city itself is not the most touristy place, so you can see it all in 2-3 hours. Inverness is more of a city used by tourists as a connecting point to other places in Scotland.
Below, I leave some of the tourist attractions and activities you can have in this small Scottish town:
View from Inverness Castle
As the castle is not a tourist attraction, the view from the hill on which it is located can be. Although the place where the castle is located has a long history, nowadays, the current building cannot be visited. You can rather enjoy a coffee or even have a meal at the bar and restaurant on the premises.
Also in this area you can enjoy a walk through the park, on the banks of the River Ness.
Leakey's book shop is a huge antique shop, located on two levels and quite photogenic, or instagrammable (if you allow me to use this term). It is one of the locations very frequented by the locals and is the ideal place to visit if you are a book lover. Here you will find mostly second-hand books.
Inverness Cathedral is dedicated to St Andrew and is the northernmost Anglican cathedral in the United Kingdom. It is open daily, including major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and admission costs £2/person. Also in the same register of churches and cathedrals, is the Roman Catholic Church of St Mary.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Located a short distance from Inverness Castle, this place is a combination of art and local history. It can be the ideal place to spend an hour, maybe even more if you want to delve deeper into the information provided.
The Inverness Botanic Gardens are another place worth checking out if you are a plant lover. Here you can see the outdoor garden, the greenhouses with tropical flowers and cacti, and in June you can enjoy a wildflower meadow. Admission is free.
Ness Islands are a few naturally formed islands in the riverbed of the Ness. These islands are connected to Inverness by footbridges dating back to the Victorian period. It is an interesting place for a short walk and to enjoy an oasis of greenery in the middle of the city.
The Victorian Market is the place where you can enjoy shopping for local products and unique shops, run by locals. This place has been around since the 19th century and is located right in the city center.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR INVERNESS AND DAY TRIPS:
Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre - is the ideal place to enjoy an authentic and fascinating experience in the heart of Scottish tradition, through a captivating tour, where you will be able to discover all the stages of the production process of the famous Scotch whisky. From the careful selection of ingredients and traditional distillation methods to the maturation process in oak barrels, every detail contributes to the aroma and distinct character of this iconic drink. During the tour, guides will share fascinating stories about the history of Scotch whisky, the secrets behind the different flavors and the techniques that have been perfected over the centuries. The location is approximately 30 minutes from Inverness.
Loch Ness - is probably the most famous place in all of Scotland and, at the same time, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. This loch became known largely due to the legend of the monster, which according to numerous accounts and alleged apparitions, would live hidden in its dark waters. The myth of Nessie has captured the imagination of people for centuries, transforming the loch into a point of attraction not only for lovers of nature and adventure, but also for those passionate about mysteries and unexplained phenomena.
Loch Ness Alpacas - a small picturesque location where you can enjoy the company of adorable alpacas. This place offers the opportunity for a pleasant walk through the surrounding forest, where the fresh air and the tranquility of nature will charge you with positive energy. The exploration route will also take you to the shores of the picturesque Loch Ness, where you will be able to admire the spectacular landscapes.
Below are some trips to more remote areas of Scotland, departing from Inverness:
Isle of Skye and Elian Donan Caste - day trip, details here;
Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle, details here;
Loch Ness and day trip to Highlands, details here;
Loch Ness Cruise and Outlander Tour, details here;
Isle of Skye and Fairy Pool - day trip, details here;
Orkney explorer - 3 day trip, details here;
WHERE TO STAY IN INVERNESS:
Among the accommodation units available on Booking, the ones that caught my attention are the ones below:
Doric House - is an accommodation unit with double rooms, located in the city, quite close to the castle. Parking and internet are included in the booking price;
Carisbrooke Guest House - accommodation unit with double and twin rooms, with parking and internet included in the booking price;
King Street Apartment - apartment-type accommodation unit, exclusively for adults. It has a private kitchen, washing machine, parking and internet included in the booking price;
STAG City Centre apartment - apartment-type accommodation unit that can accommodate up to 4 people. It has a kitchen, washing machine, internet and parking;
I would like to mention, regarding the accommodations I stayed at in both Scotland and England, but especially in the former, most of them were very cold in the rooms. The hotel representatives would not turn on the heat, even if I asked them to. Most of them had the excuse of technical problems. So pack a pair of thicker pajamas with you, in case you need them.
PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS ABOUT INVERNESS:
Inverness is not the most vibrant city and in my opinion, it is worth putting it on your list to visit only if you are passing through and want to get a feel for the place, or if you do not have a car and are using it as a connection point to other areas of the country. Although I still maintain my opinion that in every place we find something interesting, if we know how to see the glass half full, in the case of this place, I probably would not have lost much if I added something else to the itinerary instead. Even if these are some subjective thoughts, I thought that maybe it would help someone who is undecided in planning a tour of Scotland.
Read also about other places in Scotland: Edinburgh and Aberdeen or other locations in Great Britain: North Wales, Holy Island or York.
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