Things To See And Do In Inverness That'll Amaze You

Wherever from the globe, chances are you’ve already heard about Inverness, capital of the Highlands, whether from the historic part of the view or the literary one. This most northern Scotland town has been for many decades now one of the favorite ones in Scotland, if not in whole Britain, and it’s gained even more popularity with reconnaissance of the historical drama “Outlander” in recent years.

Whatever the reason, and there are many, that you’re heading towards this beautiful town, be prepared to be amazed, as there is everything for everyone – from history and culture lovers to adventure seekers.

Adventure, Please!

When one looks at Inverness on the maps, a town to the North, a little bit isolated and green, comes to mind. Surrounded by the ocean, lakes (lochs), forests, and green mellows, it calls for nature enthusiasts and people looking for an outdoor adventure.

Nearly everywhere you can rent a bike, have guided tours to the lochs, or participate in the guided canoe and kayak rides both in the rivers or sea, while other activities include mountain biking, whitewater sledding, and canyoning, river sledding, gorge swimming, and walking. How about some monster hunting? Loch Ness mysteries are there to be explored by renting a boat or booking a loch cruise.

On the other hand, nature is so beautiful that merely walking in the woods or by the seaside, you will find yourself bound by that incredible beauty and filled with glorious fresh air. Maybe you even spot the dolphins.

Holiday, There We Go

Inverness, and this part of Scotland in particular – the Highlands, attracts all the different groups of people, with different interests and strives, for their holiday pick.

And rightly so, because even if you wouldn’t say that this small town and the area are obviously a tourist destination, groups of friends, families, and couples who are looking for a hideout and enjoyment are only showing that Inverness is number one of all Scottish holiday destinations because, who would resist the idyllic, splendid countryside of the Scottish Highlands!

And with statements like the one that this town is often topped on the lists of the happiest places to live in the UK, no wonder that everybody wants a slice of this happiness to bring back home.

Packed With History

Nevertheless, many people are familiar with Inverness through its dramatic historical events and are looking forward to visiting all those time-kept landmarks.

If you’re into the 18th century, Scottish rebellions, and British history in general, then this city is the perfect place to discover about one of Scotland’s most riotous periods – the Jacobite Risings. You can visit the last battle on British soil played out at Culloden, or the nearby Fort George, an 18th-century military garrison, still used by the British army today.

If you’re interested in a little bit of older history, Inverness and its surroundings are rich in Bronze Age findings, where chambered tombs and burial grounds dating back 4,000 years are very inspirational and incredibly atmospheric. Especially the Clava Cairns, three-chambered burial grounds.

Botanical Gardens

To have a subtropical wonderland in Scotland and so far up north, is challenging on its own and worth seeing. And there is more than one as they grow a surprising and amazing collection of plants, with fish ponds and even a waterfall. Having in mind that you’re surrounded by greenery everywhere, and not just in the gardens, does give them a specific discourse and charm. In one of the gardens, the memory tree is particularly captivating and so are the greenhouses.

Shopping, Food, and Alcohol

Believe it or not, for a town that has merely 50.000 residents, Inverness has a lively selection of high street and independent shops, somewhat overshadowed by all the nature’s activities and enjoying the countryside. Being the biggest town, residents of smaller villages throughout the north come here to shop for food supplies or special occasions.

And there is something for all of us:

The second-biggest second-hand bookshop in Scotland. And if not a book lover, then its architecture and atmosphere are worth visiting.

Breweries – You can try local favorites of the Black Isle Brewery or the Cromarty Brewery and their prize-winning beers.

Victorian market with craft shops, independent boutiques, jewelers, barbers, and chocolatiers, all under one roof.

Restaurants that offer known dishes but with a Highlander twist. Beef and Highland venison are a must but don’t forget there’s fish as well.

Whiskey – there are numerous whiskey bars where you can enjoy the perfect drams but you can visit some of the local well-known distilleries – Glenmorangie, Ord, Dalmore, and Balblair Distillery.

Museums and Galleries

Inverness doesn’t lack in cultural happenings and places too. And apart from castles and fortresses, museums dedicated to Highlander’s history are particularly enthralling and educational.

First on everyone’s list is the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery as the inescapable point to learn about the life and heritage of this area. Here you can learn about the Picts and Jacobites and admire carvings, silverware, traditional clothes, photographs, and even try a little bit of Gaelic.

And from Ship Space, a maritime museum committed to Titanic, to the Highlander’s museum residing in the walls of Fort George and the famous Inverness Castle that governs the town’s skyline… you won’t be disappointed by the cultural and ethnographic material.

The Recent Boom

Lastly, Inverness has become somewhat of a phenomenon thanks to already mentioned “Outlander” books and, now, series. An abundance of fans come here in the course of a whole year and try to follow the footsteps of James (Alexander Malcolm McKenzie) Fraser and Claire Randal, visiting the places mentioned and trying to live up to some of the happenings and scenes from the novels (although in the show, the picturesque city of Falkland has been presented as historic Inverness).

Never mind that, there are several specified tours to take you to the memorable and important places, mentioned here and by Diana Gabaldon – Clava Cairns, Fort George, and nearby Fort William, Loch Ness, and Culloden, of course.

So, wait no more and hop on a sightseeing bus tour, wander through Inverness streets and along river banks, discover great museums, galleries, shopping places, and restaurants.

Or catch yourself wandering to the most famous of lochs and maybe it will be you who spot the shy Nessie.