Most individuals know that Edinburgh is the capital metropolis of Scotland. However the Scottish Lowlands could as nicely be a special nation totally from the Scottish Highlands – which is probably why town of Inverness is commonly thought to be the capital of the Highlands.
Inverness, positioned on Scotland’s northeast coast the place the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, has an extended historical past. It dates again centuries and was as soon as one of many chief strongholds of the traditional Pict folks of the Iron Age. As we speak, Inverness is most frequently visited as a jumping-off level for excursions of the well-known Loch Ness, which sits simply south of town.
However many vacationers merely take their Nessie-spotting boat tour after which transfer on to different elements of the Highlands or Isles. That is unlucky, although, as a result of Inverness and its surrounding points of interest are nicely price at the very least a pair days of your time!
I’ve traveled to Inverness half a dozen instances on varied journeys to Scotland, and I truthfully really feel prefer it’s a must-visit! Town itself is kind of small, but it surely’s completely positioned to go to so many unbelievable spots within the Highlands, from Loch Ness to Culloden to the Speyside distilleries to the North Coast 500.
You may tick off many of the Inverness highlights in a pair days. And since I’ve finished all of it on a couple of event, this is my excellent Inverness itinerary for two or 3 days:
Methods to spend 2 days in Inverness
NOTE: This itinerary is written assuming you are planning a Scotland highway journey and can have a rental automobile at your disposal. (Have to guide one? I exploit Auto Europe in Scotland.) However I am going to additionally embody some strategies for anybody who will not have a automobile, simply in case! (You can even simply take a practice to Inverness; direct trains from Edinburgh take about 3.5 hours – test practice choices on Trainline.)
Day 1: Inverness and Loch Ness
Inverness itself is a reasonably typical Scottish metropolis. You may discover lovely stone buildings and church buildings, slender streets, and naturally loads of pubs. Inverness additionally has a stunning setting, with the hills of the Highlands rising up throughout it and the close by Moray Firth.
Morning: Discover Inverness
In your first full day, I like to recommend exploring the highlights of Inverness for a pair hours within the morning. These embody:
- Inverness Fortress – The fort overlooking town is definitely comparatively “new” so far as castles go. It was constructed within the mid-1800s to exchange a medieval fort that was destroyed by the Jacobites. The brand new fort was utilized by the courts up till the 2020s, and is presently being renovated into extra of a customer attraction and museum expertise (set to open in 2025).
- Leakey’s Bookshop – For any booklovers, Leakey’s is a must-visit. It is a big, atmospheric secondhand bookshop, full with spiral staircase at its heart.
- Previous Excessive Church – Previous Excessive St. Stephen’s is the oldest church in Inverness, and folks have been worshipping at its website overlooking the River Ness since Celtic instances.
- The Victorian Market – This nineteenth century buying arcade has retailers and cafes, and is unquestionably price some searching time.
- River Ness – Remember to permit a while to stroll alongside the River Ness and cross the Greig Avenue Bridge for some good images.
Lunchtime: Drumnadrochit
All the main highlights in Inverness are inside quick walks from each other, so by late morning you’ll be able to hit the highway and drive south alongside the well-known Loch Ness.
I like to recommend making for the village of Drumnadrochit (a couple of 30 minute drive from Inverness), which is dwelling to the Loch Ness Centre, in addition to some cafes and galleries.
Have lunch first, at a spot like Fiddlers Highland Restaurant. Or, in the event you plan forward you could possibly have afternoon tea at Drumbuie Farm B & B and Quila Cridhe Tearoom, which additionally gives an lovely “Furry Coo Meet & Greet” for simply £5. (More info here.)
When you’ve got time afterwards I’d take a look at the Loch Ness Centre, and maybe cease in for a gin tasting on the Nice Glen Distillery, which is the smallest craft distillery in Scotland! (And their gin is superb.)
Late afternoon: Loch Ness cruise
And naturally no go to to Loch Ness could be full with out taking a cruise on the lake to search for Nessie herself!
There are just a few totally different cruises to select from, however I personally would select the “Freedom” cruise with Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises. This 2-hour cruise leaves from Clansman Harbour (just some minutes’ drive from Drumnadrochit), and features a 1-hour cruise on the lake, plus a further hour to discover Urquhart Fortress, which is an iconic construction on Loch Ness.
Even with out the Nessie legend to entertain you, Loch Ness is a fairly attention-grabbing and particular place. It is one of many largest lakes in Scotland – and actually incorporates the biggest quantity of freshwater in Nice Britain!
The Freedom cruise sails at each 1 p.m. and a pair of p.m., with extra sailings at 3 p.m. on sure days in the summertime.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to head again to Inverness for the remainder of the night.
Do not have a automobile? There’s additionally this Loch Ness tour that features the identical cruise as above, plus bus transport from central Inverness.
Night: Dinner and music
Seize dinner in Inverness tonight. I extremely suggest drinks at The Malt Room, and dinner at both The Mustard Seed (scrumptious native meals in a former church) or River Home (wonderful seafood spot) – each of which I like to recommend making reservations for!
And afterwards you’ll be able to head out to a pub for some reside music – Hootananny is nice for reside Scottish music any day of the week.
Day 2: Culloden and castles
As we speak is your probability to discover among the historical past within the rapid space round Inverness. Have breakfast in at or close to your lodge, after which prepare for day that may cowl an enormous vary of Scottish historical past.
Morning: Culloden Battlefield
Begin out with a go to to Culloden Battlefield, only a quick 15 minute drive from Inverness. This battlefield is the place Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) and his Jacobite military (individuals who supported the exiled King James’ claims to the throne of Scotland) confronted off towards British authorities and loyalist troops on April 16, 1746.
The temporary and bloody struggle was the final hand-to-hand battle to be fought on British soil – and the utter defeat of the Jacobite military marked the tip of conventional Highland tradition in Scotland. It is a vastly essential spot in Scottish historical past.
(In case you’re an “Outlander” fan, that is the battle Claire thinks Jamie dies in in each the books and TV present.)
The battlefield is now managed by the Nationwide Belief for Scotland, and has a wonderful customer heart with museum reveals that specify not solely the battle, however the historical past that led as much as it. Enable at the very least an hour within the museum, after which you’ll be able to discover the battlefield to stroll the frontlines for each the Jacobite and Loyalist armies, and go to the memorials erected to the lads who died right here.
You may both discover the battlefield by yourself, or be a part of a guided battlefield tour. The guided tour prices only a couple kilos additional on prime of the museum entry, and might actually add context to your go to. (You *can* pre-book your tickets and a tour, however in my expertise you may also simply purchase a ticket if you arrive because it’s normally not tremendous busy within the morning.)
NOTE: Please simply do not forget that, whereas Outlander is a wonderful story that weaves fiction into precise historic occasions, the Jamie Fraser from that story was not an actual individual. The “Clan Fraser” memorial stone on the battlefield isn’t a cutesy Outlander nod; it is a stone to mark a mass grave of actual males who died on right here in 1746, so please deal with it with correct respect, aye?
The Culloden customer heart has a stunning little cafe inside, so that you may need to seize a espresso or snack earlier than you allow.
Late morning: Clava Cairns
A really quick drive from Culloden, you’ll be able to “journey” even additional again in time at Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age burial website. This unbelievable website within the forest dates again roughly 4,000 years and consists of partially intact burial chambers and standing stones.
There are just a few information boards across the website, however you need not know way more than the truth that that is mainly an historic cemetery.
For the “Outlander” followers, the Clava Cairns could have partially impressed Craigh Na Dun in Diana Gabaldon’s books due to how shut they’re to Inverness. (So do not be shocked to see folks taking images with the standing stones…)
Afternoon: Cawdor Fortress
It will be afternoon by now, and you may in all probability be nearly prepared for lunch. The Cawdor Tavern within the village of Cawdor is a wonderful possibility if you need a comfy, conventional Scottish pub lunch. Or you’ll be able to proceed on to Cawdor Fortress and eat one thing gentle on the Courtyard Café, which has views out over one of many fort’s gardens.
Both means, your subsequent cease might be at Cawdor Fortress. This Seventeenth-century fort was constructed round a Fifteenth-century tower home, and in the present day is dwelling to the Dowager Countess Cawdor.
The fort has survived by so many tumultuous intervals of Scottish historical past, however is a lived-in fort in the present day, which I discover fascinating! You may take a tour of the inside of the fort (it is open from late April by early October every year), and in addition discover the three landscaped gardens or maybe go for a stroll by the Massive Wooden of historic oaks.
I actually like this fort as a result of it isn’t as well-known or common as another castles in Scotland, that means you’ll be able to have a pleasant, relaxed go to.
Do not have a automobile? There’s additionally this half-day tour from central Inverness that features all of the above locations!
Night: Uilebheist Distillery & Brewery
Head again to Inverness after visiting the fort (it’s going to be about an hour again to Inverness). And if you wish to do one thing else distinctive this night, cease in at Uilebheist Distillery & Brewery to attempt some native craft beer. (This spot is new, so they will not have any whisky prepared for one more couple years!)
Take pleasure in dinner in Inverness, and that wraps up your two days right here!
From Inverness, you could possibly proceed on to the Malt Whiskey Trail in Speyside, or maybe on to one of many isles just like the Isle of Skye.
Have 3 days in Inverness?
In case your journey to Scotland goes to incorporate a 3rd day in Inverness, I’d counsel exploring a little bit of the Moray Coast and dipping into the well-known Highland whisky area of Speyside. That is an extremely fairly a part of Scotland, and it is all about 1.5 hours from Inverness.
Day 3: Moray Coast + Speyside
Morning: Elgin Cathedral
Begin your morning with a drive (about an hour) to the city of Elgin, which is known for its cathedral. Elgin Cathedral dates again to the 1200s, and despite the fact that it is in ruins now, they’re very well-preserved ruins. It does carry an entry charge, however I believe it is price it!
Late morning: Bow Fiddle Rock
Proceed on alongside the Moray Coast to the village of Portnockie, the place you’ll be able to go to cliffs with a coastal path that provide up views of the extraordinarily picturesque Bow Fiddle Rock. One of many trails leads right down to a rocky seashore for even higher views; that is such a fairly spot!
Lunch: Cullen
From Portnockie, it is a fast drive to Cullen, a seaside village dwelling to solely 1300 folks. There is a seashore right here (and a beachfront golf course!) that is good for a stroll, plus the village itself is lovely.
I extremely suggest making an attempt Cullen Skink, a creamy fish soup that this village is known for. The Rockpool Cafe within the heart of city serves up a great one.
Afternoon: Speyside distillery tour(s)
Speyside is one among Scotland’s most well-known whisky-producing areas; there are roughly 50 distilleries in Scotland’s Moray Speyside area alone (a area targeted across the River Spey). A number of are alongside the official Malt Whisky Trail, which was the primary path of its sort on this planet when it was established within the Nineteen Fifties.
Even in the event you do not love whisky (hello, it is me!), I’d nonetheless extremely suggest at the very least one Speyside distillery tour. Scotland’s whisky distilleries have such attention-grabbing tales, and the excursions listed here are all actually attention-grabbing.
A pair I personally suggest that make sense from an itinerary perspective for in the present day embody:
- Glenfiddich – Glenfiddich is dwelling to the world’s most-awarded single malt whisky, remains to be family-run by the Grant household, and was the primary Speyside distillery to supply excursions within the Sixties. It is a good tour in the event you’ve by no means been to a distillery earlier than.
- The Macallan – Generally known as “Malt Disney” by locals, The Macallan has a flashy, state-of-the-art customer expertise that opened in 2018. It is not like the extra “conventional” distillery excursions you could find on this a part of Scotland, which makes it enjoyable.
- Strathisla – Strathisla is the oldest working distillery within the Scottish Highlands, courting again to 1786. It’s, for my part, the prettiest distillery we visited and had the coziest tasting room. The whisky produced right here largely goes into Chivas Regal blends.
You do need to pre-book excursions each time attainable! Most final 60-90 minutes, and embody whisky tastings.
NOTE: Scotland has very strict drink-driving guidelines (even stricter than in different elements of the UK). The authorized blood alcohol content material (BAC) in Scotland is 50mg/100ml blood or 0.05% – however the restrict for breath is 0.022%. For many individuals, one dram of sturdy whisky might put you over that restrict. Point out that you just’re driving at any distillery, and they’ll probably provide to offer you your tastings in “driver’s drams” so you’ll be able to take them with you to drink later.
Afternoon: Ballindalloch Fortress and Gardens
In case you solely do one distillery tour (or in the event you decide to skip the distilleries altogether), one other spot price visiting in Speyside is Ballindalloch Fortress and Gardens. Ballindalloch Fortress is owned by the Macpherson-Grants, who’ve referred to as the fort dwelling since 1546.
That is one other lived-in fort, which for my part makes it way more attention-grabbing to go to than a historic fort with numerous vintage furnishings that nobody’s used for a whole bunch of years. The fort tour is self-guided, and there are additionally acres of gardens and grounds you’ll be able to discover, too.
Notice that the fort is just open Sunday-Thursday for guests (Easter by the tip of September), and also you need not pre-book tickets.
Do not have a automobile? There is a tour for that! This full-day Moray Speyside tour consists of numerous the issues I really helpful for in the present day, together with Bow Fiddle Rock, Cullen, and a distillery tour.
Night: Again to Inverness
You may have somewhat over an hour to drive again to Inverness. If you have not made it to Hootenanny for reside music, that is your final probability!
The place to remain in Inverness
Inverness is not an enormous metropolis (its inhabitants is lower than 50,000), however as a result of it *is* visited by vacationers yearly, there are many nice locations to remain. My prime picks embody:
- Ness Walk for 5-star luxurious; it is the top-rated lodge in Inverness.
- Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa for a central, mid-range possibility. This lodge is true on the River Ness and a few rooms have views of the fort.
- Kingsmills Hotel for one more extra luxurious possibility.
- Culloden House Hotel for a historic keep. This luxurious property barely exterior town is the place Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed the evening earlier than the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Extra Scotland itineraries you may like:
Who’s able to plan a visit to Inverness?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!
