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If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, you should really spend some time in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. And a perfect place to start is the unofficial capital of the Highlands: Inverness. It’s a much smaller city than Glasgow or Edinburgh, perfect for a few days of exploring. Some of the best things to do in Inverness are classic Scotland: watching traditional music, drinking Scotch whisky, and learning a bit of Highland history at Culloden. Here are all my favorites.
Traditional Music
From toe-tapping dances to heartfelt ballads, seeing traditional music is one of coolest experiences you can have in Scotland. Scottish traditional folk music features instruments like fiddle, flute, and yes sometimes bagpipes. This music is best enjoyed in a crowded pub with a pint of beer, so that’s where you should go.
In Inverness, there are a few excellent pubs along Church Street. My favorite place to visit is Hootananny, a pub with a tremendous schedule of traditional music. Some nights you’ll find touring artists, others with local musicians, and some nights are reserved for a semi-organized group called a “session.”
Also great is MacGregor’s Bar down the street. They host a regular Sunday session, and they are the venue for an excellent whisky/folk music evening (see below).
Scotch Whisky
“O thou, my muse! Guid auld Scotch drink!” said the poet Robert Burns. Scotch whisky is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years, and it’s recognized as some of the best in the world.
As the de facto capital of the Highlands, Inverness is an important center for Scotland’s national drink. There are several distilleries within a short drive, including Glen Ord and Tomatin. And a bit further east is the legendary whisky producing area called Speyside with more than 50 distilleries!
For a great introduction to Scotch whisky, check out the Highland Malt Whisky Experience. I absolutely loved this! You’ll head down to the basement of MacGregor’s Bar to enjoy an evening of whisky tasting accompanied by stories and music. It’s a fun way to learn about the area and, of course, the whisky.
For whisky aficionados, make sure to stop by The Malt Room for their fantastic collection of malts in a cozy setting. Slàinte mhath! (That’s cheers in Gaelic.)
Inverness Bike Tours
Picture this: you’re pedaling a bike through the cool air with sounds of the River Ness flowing and the birds singing around you. Beyond the brick buildings you see green hills rising from the banks of the Moray Firth. Inverness is an ideal city to see by bike, and luckily there’s a local company that offers tours of the area.
Inverness Bike Tours leads beginner-friendly bike tours that pack a ton of sightseeing into an easy loop around the waterways of Inverness. You’ll get to bike through the beautiful Ness Islands, stop at Inverness Botanic Gardens, and check out the lock system on the Caledonian Canal. You might even spot some wildlife out by the Moray Firth. To me, this tour is a must-see and one of the best things to do in Inverness!
Inverness Botanic Gardens
Inverness Botanic Gardens is a leafy refuge just outside the city center. There you’ll find a lush tropical greenhouse filled with climbing vines and palms–it might literally be the hottest place in the Highlands! Next door there’s a cactus house showcasing those spiky desert plants in a rocky display, while outside the gardens are perfect for a stroll or enjoying a cup of coffee. And there’s a cafe for all your caffeine/snack needs.
I visited the gardens as part of the Inverness Bike Tour mentioned above, but you can easily drive or take the bus to get there also.
Culloden Battlefield
The Battle of Culloden changed Scotland forever. The battlefield is one of those powerful places that evoke what happened there: a rebellious Jacobite army fought with muskets and swords but suffered a terrible defeat. Even if you’re not a huge history fan (or Outlander fan), it’s worth the time to visit Culloden and hear the story.
Here’s the short version: in 1746, the Jacobite Rebellion was an attempt to put a Scottish king on the throne, namely Prince Charles Edward Stuart (AKA Bonnie Prince Charlie). His supporters known as “Jacobites” launched a few calculated attacks, but they finally met the full force of the Government army at Culloden. And they were crushed. This victory led the British government to enact a systematic oppression of Highland culture and Scottish identity, even banning the wearing of tartan. It was the last pitched battle ever fought on British soil.
Today Culloden features an excellent museum that tells the story of the Jacobite Rebellion and the battle fought there. Expert guides take groups around the battlefield itself to point out where the bloody fighting took place. It’s a moving story, and one well worth learning while you’re visiting Scotland.
Inverness Cathedral
If there’s an old church in town, you can bet I’m going to look at it! Located right on the bank of the River Ness, Inverness Cathedral is an imposing Gothic Revival church built from pink sandstone. Inside, the interior feels Scottish: decorated tastefully but topped with a practical wooden roof. My favorite detail is the intricately carved oak choir screen. The cathedral also has a nice collection of stained glass windows and other art.
Leakey’s Bookshop
Leakey’s Bookshop is the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland. Oh…do I need to say more? Ok, it’s housed in a former church building with a big fireplace in the middle and a spiral staircase up to a mezzanine level. You’ll find books on many subjects there, as well as a neat collection of old maps. (I love maps!)
Whether you’re searching for a used copy of Robert Louis Stevenson, a 1970s mountaineering map, or hundred-year-old cookery book, Leakey’s Bookshop is the place to go. It might just be the coolest place to buy a souvenir in all of Inverness.
Inverness Castle
Is Inverness Castle a castle? Well, yes and no. There’s been a castle on the site since 1057, but the whole thing was destroyed after the 1746 Jacobite Rebellion. In the 1830s, a new courthouse and prison was constructed in a castle-like style. That’s the structure that looms over the city from its hilltop perch today.
Disclaimer: I did not visit Inverness Castle because it was under renovation when I visited. But the castle’s brand new interactive experiences and gardens are set to open in 2025! Judging from the previews, it looks pretty cool.
Victorian Market
The Victorian Market is a covered market right in the center of Inverness that’s home to a variety of shops and eateries. It’s really a mix of old and new. You can visit an old-school butcher shop on one side. Walk to the other side and you’ll find a modern food court where you can grab a sushi roll and a craft beer. It’s an ideal spot for lunch, especially if you need to escape Scottish food cliches.
There are a few tourist-oriented shops if you’re looking for a tartan-patterned T-shirt on a coffee mug with the Loch Ness monster on it, but overall the vibe is local and independent.
Tips for Visiting Inverness
- When to visit – Summer is great with long daylight hours and moderate temps. Spring and fall can be cool but less crowded. It’s chilly and dark in the winter, and some places close seasonally.
- Getting to Inverness – Inverness has an airport if that’s your primary destination. It’s easy to reach by train from Glasgow or Edinburgh too. Renting a car and driving is also a great option if you’re planning to see more of the Highlands (which you should be).
- Where to Stay – Your best bet is to stay around the walkable city center. There are lots of smaller hotels and traditional B&B’s.
- Highland Side Trips – Visiting Culloden is a must, and you can easily add the standing stones at Clava Cairns (featured in the Outlander TV series) to your trip. Another popular side trip a visit to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. It’s also possible to reach the Isle of Skye as a day trip, but I’d prefer to stay a couple nights on Skye instead.
