Discover the beauty of Inverness, Scotland, with this comprehensive guide that includes where to eat, where to stay, and the best things to see and do.

Inverness- the gateway to the Highlands. From Loch Ness to Outlander shooting locations, this relatively small, unexpected city is a pleasant stopover for anyone on a road trip through Scotland. It would also make a great base for travelers looking to be ideally located in the Highlands, near main attractions like Loch Ness, Glencoe, etc.

We made our way to Inverness as we road-tripped along the NC 500 and through the Scottish Highlands. Almost everything we went to see, do, and eat in Inverness was suggested to us by our Highland Explorer Tours guide, Charlie. As an Inverness local, he graciously gave us a long list of fantastic recommendations, which we eagerly checked out for ourselves.

how to get to Inverness ↴

You can get to Inverness by plane, car, or train— it’s rather well-connected for a city of its size. For budget travelers, a little planning will help your wallet stretch further. You can catch trains from Edinburgh to Inverness one-way for as little as £10 if you book far enough in advance. Typically, however, standard off-peak train tickets from Edinburgh to Inverness cost £54.

where to stay in Inverness ↴

Inverness is highly walkable, so no matter where you end up staying, you’ll not be far from anything you might want to see. There is plenty of beautiful Bed and Breakfasts that are locally-owned and dying for economic support after such a touch 2020. I didn’t stay in Inverness and, usually, I never recommend hotels and hostels I haven’t spent a night in. I’m breaking that rule though, as these accommodation options come highly recommended through my friend (a native of Inverness).

Here is the accommodation that’s locally recommended :

Bazpackers Hostel | ideal for budget travelers, dorm rooms and private rooms available

BlueNess | self-catered flat that’s reasonably affordable, perfect for remote workers or long-term guests who want a kitchen and a little more room
The Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel | Highland decor sets the tone for a truly Scottish experience, rooms available with breakfast included for less than £100 per night

We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.

best places to eat in Inverness, Scotland

best places for coffee in Inverness, Scotland

where to eat + drink in Inverness ↴

Although it may be small, Inverness is sprinkled with delicious places to eat and drink. Fill up your stomach and your mugs at one of the many eateries, pubs, and cafés in the city.

Cup & Cone | Delicious coffee, fantastic vegan lunch options (don’t sleep on the tikka masala “chicken” sandwich with “cheese”— they’ll make it nice and toasty for you so the vegan cheese melts and you’ll be dreaming about it for months to come)
Milk Bar | Great coffee, yummy milkshakes, and tray bakes for the sweet tooth in everyone
Black Isle | Some of the best woodfire pizza I’ve ever had and local craft beer on tap
La Tortilla | authentic Spanish tapas and super friendly wait staff
The Walrus + Corkscrew | outdoor seating available and an awesome vegan cheese platter that was highly enjoyable on a stiflingly hot day
Fig & Thistle | We didn’t actually eat at Fig & Thistle, as we weren’t too excited by the vegan/vegetarian options, but if you’re looking for venison, haggis, or panko-breaded fish, then this may be the highly-rated dining experience for you

dolphin spotting near Inverness, Scotland

what to see + do in Inverness ↴

pay your respect at Culloden Battlefield

History buffs and fans of the hit television series Outlander will know that on the 16th of April, there was a terribly bloody battle on Culloden Moor. This would be the final battle of the Jacobite Rebellion on British soil before Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to France, abandoning this Highlander army. Over 1,500 Jacobite soldiers lost their lives on Culloden Moor, and today it remains a place of reverence. You can also visit the educational Culloden Visitor Centre. Featuring a 360-degree battle immersion theatre, and battle artifacts.

GETTING THERE | You can opt to visit Culloden Battlefield on your own or as part of a tour. The battlefield is always open, but the visitor’s center has daily operating hours between 10 AM - 4 PM. We settled on visiting independently for the sake of budget and time constraints. If you’re driving, follow the brown signs for roughly 5 miles and park in the designated lot. You must pay for parking before you visit the battlefield or head into the visitor center. Alternatively, you can grab the #2 bus outside of Marks and Spencers in Inverness city center.

step back in time at Clava Cairns

When I first went to Scotland, I remember seeing mounds of rock and stone along hillsides and in open fields, but not having any context for them. It wasn’t until our tour with Highland Explorer Tours that I finally understood what I had been seeing are called cairns. A cairn is a stack of stones that were built as burial monuments among other purposes in early Highlander culture. Commonly, soldiers would add a stone to the pile before battle and then collect the stone if they survived, leaving the remaining stones as a tribute to those who had not. Clava Cairns, however, were built to house the dead nearly 4,000 years ago in the Bronze Age.

GETTING THERE | This sacred site is not far from Culloden and parking is free to visitors, so make sure to add it to your itinerary if you’re in the area. If you are without a vehicle, you may take the same #2 bus as mentioned above and walk from Culloden Moor, though it is approximately a 20-minute walk.

“sing me a song”…as you follow the Outlander Trail

^Okay, that was really cringe-y, but I absolutely had to do it. As a major Outlander fan, I have to say that Inverness was high on my list of stops to make for no other reason than its frequent mention in the hit television show. Call me basic, but give me Jamie Fraser on screen forever, please. You can “DIY” a tour of the Outlander Trail by visiting Culloden, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, and Clava Cairns. Alternatively, you could book an actual Outlander tour. Outlander tours of the Highlands and Inverness area can be quite spendy if you are traveling alone, but if you are looking to join one, I recommend checking out this full-day tour to get the most bang for your buck.

go dolphin watching at Chanory Point

A quick 20-minute drive outside of the city center lies Chanory Point, which almost guarantees you the opportunity to spot a bottlenose dolphin. We pulled up and saw two within minutes of parking. is a short drive outside of Inverness city center.

GETTING THERE | It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from the city center to Chanory Point. Unfortunately, there are no bus routes that I found.

visit Leakey’s Bookshop

This one is pretty self-explanatory— it’s a beautiful bookshop that feels very Harry Potter-esque despite having exactly zero connection to the series. Leakey’s is tucked away at the end of Church Street and is a true gem for bookworms.

explore Inverness Castle

On the hillside of the city, sits Inverness Castle. The fortress overlooking the River Ness is actually a replica of the original medieval structure that was destroyed by the Jacobites. It’s not currently open for visitors, as it’s being renovated, but you are free to roam around the castle grounds and take in views of the city from this central high point. This is a great spot for a photo overlooking Inverness.

take a day trip to Loch Ness

Scotland is a country of mountains and lochs (lakes). None of them, however, is more famous than Loch Ness and its alleged water monster. Documentaries have been made about it, songs have been written about it, and loch cruises have been created for open-minded tourists.

see Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is a 13th-century ruin that makes it a wonder of medieval construction. Despite its semi-dilapidated state, it is one of the most famous and recognizable castles in Scotland. The real perk of stopping by Urquhart is its views of Loch Ness.

GETTING THERE | #513 and #919 buses both run from Inverness to Urquhart Castle.

shop at the Victorian Market

Inverness’ Victorian Market was originally built in the 1800s and remains a semi-hidden away treasure in the city. It has the most incredible red arches that stand out against the white interior of the covered market, so keep your eyes and cameras ready. The Victorian Market sells everything from jewelry and souvenirs to bagpipes and sweets.

GETTING THERE | The market is free to enter and can be found with access points on Academy Street, Union Street, and Church Street.