Inverness Museums and Art Galleries

(Inverness, Scotland, UK)

This popular Scottish Highlands city has a couple of very interesting museums dedicated to the heritage and history of Inverness and the surrounding Highland region. Make sure you stop by the Highland Photo Archive and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery to get your foundations of this city before heading out to explore it.

Fort George is another great stop to see a more contemporary view of the military side of Highland life, being located some 21 km / 13 miles to the north-east, next to the former fishing village of Ardersier and close to the airport. There's also plenty of art going on in Inverness and more than a few art galleries are based here, showcasing regional artists. Simply wander along the High Street or Church Street and you will run across a number of decent galleries.

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

Address: Castle Wynd, Bridge Street, Inverness, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01463 237 114
This is the top museum in Inverness thanks to its comprehensive mix of art, culture, archaeology and natural history. The exhibits all centre around the heritage of the Highlands, making this a one-stop attraction for getting your background on this part of Scotland. Displays feature clan life, a reconstructed silversmith's workshop, a model Inverness kitchen from the 1920s, various wildlife dioramas, weaponry exhibits and a small art gallery. There is a great blend of details from the city's past and this is definitely one cultural attraction not to miss.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Highland Photo Archive

Address: 23 Church Street, Inverness, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01463 703 912
This little gem is a must-see when visiting Inverness. The photos in the extensive archive run all the way back to the 1880s, providing a rare look at the timeline of the city's recent evolution. In total there are over 100,000 prints to check out, so you are guaranteed to find lots of highlights relating to the Scottish Highlands. One thing worth noting though is that you need to phone ahead and make a reservation to visit - no walk-ins are currently permitted.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Fort George and the Queen's Own Highlanders Regimental Museum

Address: Moray Firth, Ardersier, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 0131 310 8701
Fort George has been considered one of the most significant fortresses in the UK since its construction following the Battle of Culloden. Built between 1748 and 1769, the timescale and money needed to fund the building work escalated dramatically and today the overall equivalent cost would be roughly £1 billion.

George II and his Hanoverian army were the first to occupy and the fort is still an active barracks today. The 42 acres / 17 hectares inside the fortress are enclosed by a rampart which is 1.6 km / 1 mile long and boasts sweeping views of the North Sea and the Great Glen. The Queen's Own Highlanders Regimental Museum inside features exhibits of the Highlander Regiments from 1778 to modern times. Fort George is an interesting place, especially if you like history.
Open hours: daily, April to September - 10:00 to 17:30; October to March, 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

The Art Gallery

Address: The Green, Inverness, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01456 450 695
This is the place to go if you want to see what's happening in the local realm of Highland art. The well-stocked 'Art Gallery' shop sells an impressive range of original paintings, sculptures, Scottish handicrafts and greeting cards. So if you want to take home an original piece of Highland art or a print of a Scottish landscape, you will be hard-pressed to find a better selection.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free