Inverness Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Inverness, Scotland, UK)

For a city of such antiquity and historic significance, Inverness has fewer sightseeing attractions than tourists would probably expect. However, the sites that it does contain are very interesting indeed, offering a glimpse at what this Highlands town was like centuries ago.

From the famous Culloden Battlefield to castles and Bronze Age archaeological sites, there are plenty of historic attractions for tourists to experience around the Inverness area. Guided walking tours, open-top bus trips, strolls around the Ness Islands and cruises on Loch Ness are all particular highlights in this area.

Walking Tours

Walking tours of the city are led by experienced local guides and depart from directly outside of the Inverness tourist office at Castle Wynd. These guided tours last approximately one hour and 15 minutes, and take in many interesting sights en route. Self-guided 'Churches Along the River' tours are also popular, with leaflets outlining the route being available from most hotels. For something a little different and wacky, consider joining the Davy the Ghost Tour and learn about the city's past murders, executions and many ghosts.
Open hours: hours vary according to season
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Cruises

Tel: +44 01463 233 999 (Jacobite Cruises)
Tel: +44 01463 717 900 (Moray Firth Cruises)
Cruises offer a leisurely way to explore the area and are provided by a number of different cruise companies. Jacobite Cruises depart from the Tomnahurich Bridge each morning and afternoon, with this boat trip lasting just over three hours in total and taking in attractions such as the Loch Ness 2000 Monster Exhibition and Urquhart Castle. Moray Firth Cruises operate from the Shore Street Quay and run 90-minute wildlife cruises, where you can spot sea birds, seals and possibly even the odd dolphin or two. An entertaining commentary ensures an enjoyable trip, while free shuttle buses run to Shore Street. Alternatively, the John O' Groats Ferries sail all the way to Orkney during the summer months.
Open hours: hours vary according to operator and season
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Guided Sightseeing Bus Tours / Taxi Tours

Tel: +44 07765 834 825
City Sightseeing buses provide perhaps the easiest way to tour the attractions of Inverness, from the comfort of your own bus seat. Departing from Bridge Street each hour and featuring insightful commentary, these bus tours last around 45 minutes. However, if you fancy hopping off to see something that catches your eye, you can simply hop back on the next bus that comes along and continue your tour. These City Sightseeing bus tickets can also be used for a longer route, which passes by outlying sights such as Cawdor Castle, the Culloden Battlefield and Fort George.
Open hours: late May to September, daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Culloden Battlefield

Address: Culloden Moor, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01463 790 607
Located roughly 11 km / 7 miles to the east of the city, this famous battlefield is where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army met their final defeat in 1746. The fight lasted just 40 minutes, but the casualties were significant for the prince. Highlights include the Graves of the Clans, the Well of the Dead, the Memorial Cairn and the towering Cumberland Stone. The visitor centre features an audiovisual presentation about the history of the battle, which was the last major fight to be fought on British soil. Kilt-wearing guides are to hand, should you be interested to take their one-hour tour of the battleground and learn more about its past conflict.
Open hours: April to June, September to October, daily - 09:00 to 18:00; November to December, February to March - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Ness Islands

Address: Ness Islands, Inverness, Scotland, UK
The prime outdoor attraction in Inverness, the Ness Islands draw thousands of visitors all through the year and are roughly a 20-minute walk away from the castle, lying to the south. Take the leisurely stroll along the banks of the Ness River on the Great Glen Way walking path, until you reach a series of elegant Victorian footbridges that connect the islands to the riverbank. The islands are particularly green, being filled with mature pine, sycamore and beech trees. Along the way you will pass attractions like St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Eden Court Theatre.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Clava Cairns

Address: Nairn, Scotland, UK
The Stones of Clava are one of the most precious prehistoric sites in northern Scotland. Located about 10 km / 6 miles away and directly east of the city, these three rings of stones are still in place from the time they were laid out in the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) as a burial site. Also in the vicinity in nearby Craig Phadrig are the ancient remains of a fortress dating all the way back to the 4th century BC. Both sites are managed by Historic Scotland and offer a tantalising look at the ancient side of Inverness, which ranks amongst the oldest inhabited places in Scotland.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free