12 Amazing activities & things to do in Inverness

Loch Ness is a legendary Scottish destination, home (we hope) to the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Boat tours offer the chance to spot Nessie and soak up the dramatic scenery. Many tours include a stop at Urquhart Castle, a striking ruin with panoramic views. The castle visitor centre features an engaging audio-visual show, you can climb the Grant Tower, explore medieval walls, and even see a full-size trebuchet.

The Loch Ness 360° Trail is another fantastic experience. This 130km circular route links the Great Glen Way and South Loch Ness Trail, making it ideal for walking, cycling, or running. The trail starts and ends in Inverness, passing through woodlands with amazing spectacles like the Falls of Foyers along the way.

Nikki from VisitScotland:

“I thought I knew Urquhart Castle from all of the photographs, but nothing compares to actually being there. Catch the opening show inside the visitor centre before stepping out to explore all the nooks and crannies of the building, and of course, the stunning views out across Loch Ness. Whatever the weather, it’ll be a moment to stop and take it all in.” 

Now open, Inverness Castle Experience is an interactive hub celebrating Highland history and culture in the heart of the city. With its central location and epic views from the café terrace, the Inverness Castle Experience is an exciting new addition to the city.

After a multimillion-pound restoration, this brand-new attraction will take you on a fascinating journey exploring the region’s landscapes, stories, and heritage. Think authentic artefacts, sensory installations, and cutting-edge digital experiences that explore everything from ancient clans to contemporary Highland life. Join a guided tour with a Seanchaidh (Gaelic for storyteller) which will help you discover life in the Highlands through the power of storytelling – a Scottish speciality!   

One of Scotland’s best prehistoric sites, Clava Cairns offers a glimpse far into the past. Around 4,000 years old, there are three well-preserved cairns, each with a central chamber surrounded by stone circles. Two of the cairns have passageways aligned with the midwinter sunset, reflecting the Bronze Age fascination with the solstice and the cycles of nature.

Visitors can wander among the cairns and standing stones, set within tranquil woodland near the River Nairn. Interpretative boards explain their construction and the significance of the site to the people who built it. Free to visit and open year-round, Clava Cairns is a short journey from Inverness and has a small car park. The site is especially popular with fans of Outlander, as it inspired Craigh na Dun where Claire travels back in time.

Nikki from VisitScotland:

“Tucked away down a quiet road just outside of Inverness, it was quite a different experience at Clava Cairns. It’s hard to explain but it truly is a sacred place – somewhere quiet and peaceful where you feel compelled to show respect as you learn more about this society and their rituals.”

Culloden Battlefield is the site where the fate of the Highlands was decided on 16 April 1746. The final and bloodiest clash of the Jacobite Risings unfolded here - an hour-long battle that changed Scotland forever. Today, the battlefield has been restored to its original appearance, inviting visitors to walk the windswept moor towards a towering memorial cairn.

The award-winning visitor centre has interactive exhibits and artefacts from both Jacobite and government forces. There's also a 360-degree battle theatre, which places you at the heart of the action as the conflict erupts around you. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, and rooftop platforms provide sweeping views over the battlefield.

Nikki from VisitScotland:

“You can’t appreciate anything about this battle until you stand in the fields, take in the distance between the flags and feel the atmosphere of the location. I walked through and around the battlefield and saw all the clan markers. It was another place that can only be truly experienced in person, giving you a small glimpse of what happened there.”

Looking for a place to unwind with a dram? Uile-Bheist Brewery & Distillery is the first new distillery in Inverness in over a century. Situated on the banks of the River Ness, Uile-Bheist (Scottish Gaelic for ‘monster’) is a pioneering “brewstillery” producing both artisan whisky and a range of craft beers. Uile-Bheist uses water and energy from the River Ness, and visitors can enjoy guided tours, tastings, and pints in the taproom.

For a different kind of experience, head to Playback Bar on Academy Street. Spread across four floors, this exciting venue combines a buzzing bar and gourmet restaurant with a host of activities - think axe throwing, shuffleboard, pool, table tennis, and even whisky pong. The rooftop terrace offers great city views, while the menu features tasty burgers and signature cocktails. Playback is dog-friendly, accessible, and perfect for groups looking for “competitive socialising” in a fun, modern setting.

For those eager to spot dolphins and other wildlife, Dolphin Spirit operates tours on the Moray Firth, just outside Inverness. Their family-friendly cruises provide the chance to see bottlenose dolphins, seals, and seabirds, with knowledgeable guides sharing insights about the local ecosystem.

If you’re drawn to the mystery of Loch Ness, several operators run cruises from convenient locations near the city. Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises offers short 50-minute trips as well as longer journeys that include stops at Urquhart Castle. Cruise Loch Ness, based in Fort Augustus, is another popular choice, with scenic cruises that bring loch’s history and legends to life. Thrill-seekers will love The Beastie Boats for high-speed RIB adventures from Foyers Pier, taking you on a fast-paced, unforgettable ride.

The Inverness Museum & Art Gallery is a must-visit for anyone interested in the Highlands. This family-friendly museum (with a nice café!) covers everything from natural history to the dramatic story of the Jacobite Risings. The art galleries within the museum feature works by Scottish and international artists and there is a large photographic archive. For more great art, try the Castle Gallery, located near Inverness Castle. Here, you’ll find a selection of contemporary fine art, sculpture, and crafts.

We’ve already mentioned Culloden, but The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George also offers a comprehensive look at the military history of the Highlands. Home to the largest regimental collection outside London, the museum displays over 20,000 artefacts including medals, uniforms, weapons, and personal stories.

We always say things like “Inverness is a walker’s paradise” – but it really is! Within the city, you’ll find easy and scenic routes such as the River Ness and Caledonian Canal Circuit, a flat 11.5km loop that starts in the centre and takes you past local landmarks like Inverness Castle. The paths around Dochgarroch Locks along the Caledonian Canal provide waterside walking just outside the city.

Inverness is also the gateway to some of Scotland’s most iconic multi-day trails. The Great Glen Way stretches 125km from Inverness to Fort William, following the Caledonian Canal and passing by Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy. Other options include walking to Meall Fuar-mhonaidh, the highest hill around Loch Ness, or the woodland trails at Urquhart Bay Woods, the Falls of Foyers, and circuits around Aldourie Castle.

Nikki from VisitScotland:

“Stop off at Dochgarroch to watch the boats try and navigate through the manned lock gates. You can walk down the east shore to the furthest point before the loch widens out, before crossing over the wooden bridge to the great café at An Talla to fuel up before carrying on.”

Tucked away on Church Street in the heart of Inverness, Leakey’s Bookshop is a Highland institution. Housed in a converted 17th-century church, Leakey’s is one of Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshops. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the warm glow of a wood-burning stove and the unmistakable scent of old paper and polished wood.

Established in 1979 by Charles Leakey, the bookshop moved to its current home in 1994, preserving much of the original church architecture, including stained glass windows, a spiral staircase, and even the pulpit. The result is a labyrinthine space where visitors can browse everything from rare antiquarian finds to contemporary fiction. Leakey’s is a peaceful retreat for bookworms, inviting you to curl up by the fire and lose yourself in a good book.

Inverness Cathedral is an eye-catching landmark in the city’s skyline, and definitely worth exploring. The cathedral’s impressive sandstone exterior and magnificent west doorway are lovely examples of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture. Open year-round with free entry, there is also a welcoming café and shop.

Inside, the spacious nave is supported by columns carved from Scottish granite, and the interior is richly decorated with beautiful fixtures, including an oak choir screen and a finely crafted altar. The stained-glass windows depict scenes from the life of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint. The cathedral remains an active place of worship within the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Based at Inverness Airport, Highland Aviation offers you the chance to explore the Scottish Highlands from the air. This award-winning flying school provides a range of air tours and flights over Loch Ness, Inverness, and the Highlands. Whether you’re a first-timer or an aspiring pilot, you’ll have the chance to take the controls yourself under the guidance of a qualified instructor.

From the moment you take off, you’ll enjoy exhilarating views of castles, lochs, forts, and mountains. The quiet, open Highland skies offer unparalleled freedom, making this one of the best ways to appreciate the region’s dramatic scenery. Find out pricing and the types of experience you can book on the Highland Aviation website.

You know we love Highland coos! The shaggy coats, the beautiful horns, the gentle personalities. There are lots of places to see these friendly animals up close around Inverness. One of the most accessible spots is Culloden Battlefield. A small herd of Highland cows helps maintain the historic moorland.

You could also head to Dochgarroch Lock, about five miles from Inverness. Here you'll find a small herd of coos, as well as Ozzy the Highland Cow, a metal coo sculpture perfect for a photo opportunity. At Cameron’s Tea Room and Farm Shop near Foyers you can enjoy homemade cakes and Highland hospitality while watching the cows from the café windows or outdoor seating. With advance notice, you may even be able to arrange a personal introduction to the herd.

Or what about a hands-on visit to Farm Ness just outside Inverness on the A82? Book a meet & greet to experience grooming and feeding these gentle giants, supporting local conservation and sustainable farming in the process. Redburn Café and Gift Shop at Glenmoriston also offers the chance to feed Highland cows and enjoy a cup of tea near Loch Ness.