Attractions Nearby Inverness, Day Trips and Excursions

(Inverness, Scotland, UK)

The countryside around Inverness is littered with jaw-dropping sights, attractions and day trip possibilities. There is a long history in this part of the Scottish Highlands, offering visitors everything from expansive lochs and countryside walks, to medieval villages, mountain resorts and ruined castles, including Brodie, Cawdor and Urquhart. The natural beauty of northern Scotland is simply breathtaking.

The lochs and hills are dotted with crumbling old buildings and pleasantly preserved hamlets, making this area a prime location for photography and excursions. Of course, there's also Loch Ness just down the road from Inverness, with its famous resident monster Nessie. Those with a car will be able to drive to attractions such as the Cairngorm Mountain, the Nevis Range and Ben Nevis, Fort Augustus and the valley of Strathglass.

Urquhart Castle

Address: Drumnadrochit, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01456 450 551
Old ruined Scottish castles don't come any better than this. Dating from the 13th century, this beauty was already in ruins before the Jacobites even got here in the 17th century. Its view down the length of Loch Ness is unbeatable, creating endless photo opportunities for shutterbugs. Many people come to Urquhart Castle in the hope of spotting Nessie swimming around the loch. Tourists will be able to check out the Visitor Centre and watch a film about the castle, see some medieval artefacts and purchase souvenirs at the gift shop. Worth bearing in mind, Urquhart Castle can become extremely busy during the summer months, when it is packed out with day trippers and monster hunters.
Open hours: daily, April to September - 09:30 to 18:30; October to March - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

The Black Isle

The Black Isle may be called an island but is in fact a peninsula, and more importantly it is arguably the most scenic spot anywhere near Inverness. A photographer's dream, this strip of land is 14 km / 9 miles wide and 37 km / 23 miles long with absurdly stunning vistas at nearly every turn. The gem is the 18th-century town of Cromarty, a village seemingly trapped in time. This is the best-preserved historic hamlet in the Highlands and not to be missed. Highlights on the Black Isle include a wealth of nature as well as some enchanting cultural draws.

Beauly

The name given to this charming little town by French monks means 'beautiful place'. Beauly was settled in the 13th century and still has a vibe that seems stuck in time. This is a crafty hamlet, home to the impressive Highland Craftpoint shop and several other excellent local arts and crafts shops. The Beauly Priory, which was built around 1230, is another highlight. Although the priory is now in ruins, you can tour the grounds any time you want.

Cairngorm Mountain / Cairngorms National Park

Address: Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, UK
Lying roughly 48 km / 30 miles away and close to Aviemore, the Cairngorms National Park is home to the only funicular railway in the whole of Scotland and contains some of the UK's highest landmasses. This scenic mountainous landscape is called home by an abundance of native Scottish wildlife, including pine martens, red squirrels and wildcats, and is filled with walking trails and forested areas. The town of Aviemore serves as the main gateway to the park and has a cluster of accommodation, eateries and shops. Next to Aviemore, the Craigellachie Nature Reserve may well be of interest.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Nevis Range (Aonach Mor)

Address: Torlundy, Fort William, Nevis Range, Scotland, UK
Those on holiday in Inverness with their own set of wheels will be able to easily explore the Nevis Range near Fort William, which is just over 97 km / 60 miles away and connected by the A82. Next to Ben Nevis and offering some splendid panoramas and viewing points, the Nevis Range can be ascended by cable cars. During the summer months, many recreational activities present themselves around the Mountain Discovery Centre, such as walking, mountain biking, climbing and even paragliding. In the winter, heavy snowfall means that skiing and snowboarding become possible, with 12 ski lifts to hand and a mixture of ski runs, suiting all abilities of skier.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Cawdor Castle

Address: Nairn, Scotland, IV12 5RD
Tel: +44 01667 404 401
Email: info@cawdorcastle.com
Website: www.cawdorcastle.com
This impressive castle, just 24 km / 15 miles north-east of Inverness, is a classic 15th-century Scottish keep, highly suitable for day trips. Its current structure dates back to 1454, making it one of the best pieces of ancient architecture in the Highlands region. Now the home of Lord and Lady Cawdor, visitors are welcome to tour the castle and its lovely grounds between May and October. Two ghosts are known to haunt the property, so be prepared. Visitors will be interested to learn that Cawdor Castle has strong connections to the Shakespeare play Macbeth. Those with a taste for Scottish whisky should head to the nearby Cawdor Tavern, where more than 100 different varieties of whisky await.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discount available for seniors, students and children aged five to 15 years old

Brodie Castle

Address: Forres, Inverness, Nairn, Moray and The Black Isle, IV36 2TE
Tel: +44 0844 493 2157
Email : brodiecastle@nts.org.uk
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Owned and managed by the National Trust of Scotland, Brodie Castle is set within some 175 acres / 70 hectares of lush parkland and dates from the 12th century, although much of today's structure originates from the mid-16th century. Visitors exploring the castle will find many period features, a giant Victorian kitchen and a dining room decorated with fine plaster mouldings.
Open hours: April, daily - 10:30 to 16:30; May to Jun, Sunday to Wednesday - 10:30 to 16:30; July to August, daily - 10:30 to 17:00; September to October, Sunday to Thursday - 10:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, free to members

Glen Affric / Strathglass

The valley of Strathglass is a particularly beautiful spot and surrounded by a series of lengthy, narrow valleys. Nearby Glen Affric is widely associated with Strathglass and is where you will find the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, complete with its expansive lochs, mountainous scenery and pine forests. A number of native animals thrive here, such as wildcats, otters and pine martens, as well as red squirrels. If you are fortunate, you might even be able to spot a golden eagle soaring high above the ground. Nearby, you may like to pay a visit to Cannich and its Dog Falls, or take a stroll around Loch Affric.

Fort Augustus

Located at the junction of several historic military roads and on the south-westerly side of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus began its life as a government garrison and is now a popular tourist destination. Various attractions are dotted around the fort, such as the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre and the Clansman Centre, where you learn all about Highland life in the 17th century. Open between Easter and October, the local canalside tourist centre is a good place to visit when you first arrive here.