Lately, I’ve had some extra free time on my hands (due to the pandemic) and I’ve been looking through photos from last year and wanted to write a post about things to do around Inverness. Partly because I thought it could be useful for future trips back, but also because there were a couple photos I never posted the first time that I wanted to share.
Inverness is known as the capital of the Highlands, and it really is the perfect place to stay if you’re visiting. I might do another post featuring things to do in Inverness, but for now, these are my favourite places that you can visit on a day trip from Inverness or that you can go to if you’re travelling the North Coast 500. I’ll link the blog posts that go with each stop if I’ve written about them before.
So, let’s get down to it!
If you’re staying in Inverness, the first stop that you can’t miss is a trip to the Tomatin Distillery. It’s no secret that whisky is a big draw to Scotland for tourists, so this is the perfect place to start. The tour isn’t too long, and you get to taste some samples at the end. I remember the distillery being cold, however, so grab a sweater if you’re visiting!
The Tomatin Distillery isn’t too far from Aviemore (about a 25 minute drive). Aviemore is a cute little mountain town that reminded me a lot of Jasper or Canmore in Alberta. From the town you can drive to Loch Morlich, which has some stunning views of the Cairngorms mountain range around. There are water sports you can do in the summer, and skiing in the winter, but we just walked around when we went.
If you’re travelling with kids, the next stop you can’t miss is Landmark Forest Adventure Park. Even if you’re a kid at heart, like Marvin and me, this amusement park was hella fun! The park is perfect for a summer’s day, with a water coaster, high wire challenge, and lot’s of themed attractions. My favourite part was the forest tower where you can see above the trees all the way back to the mountain range.
Off in the opposite direction from Inverness, the next place not to miss is the Fyrish Monument about an hour north of the city. This is an easy hike to do, and will only take an hour or two to complete. I did this hike as it’s own trip from the city, but it would be the perfect place to stretch your legs if you’re headed on the North Coast 500!
An hour further on the North Coast 500 route, is Dunrobin Castle. The castle grounds are gorgeous here. We didn’t go in, but we walked around, down to the sea, and admired the castle from afar. This could easily be a day trip from Inverness, or the perfect stop on your way through the NC500.
Around this time last year, my good friend, Steven, took me on the most perfect day trip around Ullapool and Achnasheen. We drove to Ullapool first and had brunch followed by ice cream. We then walked into a few shops before getting back into the car. We drove to Achnasheen for the views before heading back to Inverness. That was a good length for a day trip on it’s own, however, there is a lot more you can do near Achnasheen if you continue on.
On another trip to Achnasheen, I hiked around Beinn Eighe nature reserve. I actually did this with my Primary 5 class at the time, so another activity you can easily do with kids! A separate trip, my friend, Zara, and I passed through Achnasheen on our way to Eilean Donan Castle. That time, we just pulled over for a quick walk off the highway.
Eilean Donan castle is about an hour and a half from Inverness if you don’t stop for a walk in Achnasheen. Another non-secret about tourists in Scotland is that they go for the castles, so this is one you cannot miss. This castle is one of the most fairy-tale looking places in Scotland. After exploring the castle grounds, head across the street to the small town beside for a bite to eat! On this particular trip, Zara and I continued on the road to the Isle of Skye, but at this point you could head back to Inverness, or you could drive an hour north to Shieldaig.
Shieldaig is another small village close by known for it’s fishing industry. It is a gorgeous place for a walk, and it has a restaurant and a cafe or two for those of you travelling Scotland for the eats!
Back around Inverness, the Munlochy Clootie Well is a sight to see! Clootie Wells are a place of traditional healing for the Pilgrims, and although there are others to find, this seems to be the most popular around Inverness. It does look at bit junky, now there are modern cloths hanging, but it’s worth seeing on your way from Inverness.
Another day trip Zara and I did was to Cromarty. After seeing the Clootie Well, we stopped in Fortrose. From there we headed to Rosemarkie where we walked to the Fairy Glen to see the water falls there.
Once we got to Cromarty, we had pizza at the Sutor Creek restaurant there. This place is a Michelin rated restaurant, however, pizza was the only thing they were serving when we stopped in. We walked by the water before jumping back in the car on our way back to Inverness.
From Cromarty, you can also drive to Beauly before heading back to Inverness. Between Cromarty and Beauly there is a beautiful eco-cafe in Mountgerald called the Highland Farm Cafe. There’s outdoor seating that overlooks the water, and the food was delicious. After eating, continue on to Beauly for a cute walk and more ice cream!
One of my favourite places around Inverness, is Nairn. Nairn is so easy to get to by train, it only take 15 minutes station to station. Once you’re there, you can walk on the beach next to the sea, although it will be hella windy so wear some eye protection! Then stop for James’s ice cream (probably should have called this ice cream shops around Inverness, but whatever) at the putting green close by. Trust me, it’s the best you will have. If you’re there in the evening, check out the local pubs for food and music, and obviously crack open an Irn Bru!
Finally, you can’t go to Inverness and then not go to Loch Ness. There are a few ways you can visit Loch Ness. First, you can take a little cruise with Jacobite Cruise and visit Urquhart Castle at the same time (honestly recommend this way the most if you only have a day to do it!). You can also drive to Urquhart Castle, explore the grounds, see the Loch from the shore, and visit Drumnadrochit on your way back (cutest town award, might even see a Highland Cow). Or you can head to Dores, a village on the shore of Loch Ness, and bring a picnic or eat at the Dores Inn. I’m sure there are a million other ways to see Loch Ness, but these are my recommendations.
Whatever way you do it, these are the most picturesque places around Inverness that I visited during my year there. You can fit them into your puzzle of a trip in whatever way works best for you, I tried to group them together in stops that were near each other, but you can do them in whatever way you want! And, if you do go, grab an Irn Bru or two for me!