Curator’s statement
Known as "the Capital of the Highlands," Inverness is a charming city and the perfect base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. From Inverness, you can visit ancient castles, experience Scottish whisky culture, discover Outlander filming sites, ride the "Harry Potter" Jacobite steam train, meet Highland cows and Nessie and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and boating. With direct trains from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's easy to spend a few days in Inverness. Better yet, fly into the Inverness airport and spend your entire vacation living your Highland dreams!
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Day 1: Arrive in Inverness
Check into your hotel (or drop off your luggage) and start exploring on foot. Join a 90-minute walking tour of Inverness led by a professional guide to get the lay of the land. At the end of the tour, be sure to ask your guide for the best pub recommendation for your evening meal.
Day 2: Explore on two wheels
Rent an eBike and cruise along the River Ness! During your ride, visit the Inverness Botanical Gardens and the Merkinch Nature Reserve (the only nature reserve in the Highlands!). Pick up grab-and-go snacks and enjoy a picnic lunch along the route. Prefer to explore with a group? Bike tours are available. End your day with a "slow food" experience featuring local delicacies and listening to intriguing tales of local history.
Day 3: Day trip to the far North
Join an organized day trip to John O'Groats, the northern-most point of mainland Scotland, and sneak a peek across the water to the Orkney Islands. During your trip, you'll stop at charming spots along the northeastern Scottish coast, such as the famous Whaligoe Steps or Dunrobin Castle, perhaps with a lunch stop in the adorable town of Wick. If you visit during the summer, you might even see puffins, the cutest birds in the UK! After a fabulous all-day tour, return to Inverness in time for a late dinner.
Day 4: Castles and museums and whisky, oh my!
Spend the first half of the day exploring Inverness: start at Inverness Castle and enjoy the gorgeous views from its cliffside perch. Then head to the nearby Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. After lunch, meet your private guide for an afternoon tour of the best Speyside whisky distilleries. You'll definitely appreciate having a driver after sampling Scotland's finest elixirs!
Day 5: Meet Nessie and a few Highland coos
No trip to the Highlands is complete without a visit to Loch Ness. Begin your day by visiting a croft where Highland Coos summer along the shore of Loch Ness (reservations required). Visit historic Urquhart Castle, then head to the nearby dock to join a cruise along Loch Ness. Let me know if you see Nessie!
Additional days
Inverness is a great base for an extended vacation! Spend a day riding the Jacobite steam train and pretend like you're headed to Hogwarts. Explore Applecross or Ullapool on the western coast. Visit the Isle of Skye for a taste of the beauty it offers. Or stay local and take a deep dive into all that the city of Inverness itself has to offer!
Travel Advisor
Karla Coreil
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Scotland page.