Official Sightseeing
Tours of Scotland since 1907

Tours from Inverness

The capital of the Highlands and one of the best bases for exploring northern Scotland.

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Discover Inverness – Capital of the Highlands

Sitting astride the River Ness, Inverness is the cultural and commercial heart of the Scottish Highlands and one of the best bases for exploring northern Scotland.

The compact city centre is easy to explore on foot. Take a walk beside the River Ness, see some of the city’s historic buildings, or spend time browsing the shops.

Inverness is also a useful base for exploring the Highlands. Loch Ness is just a short journey away, while Culloden Battlefield, the ancient Clava Cairns, the Cairngorms and some of Scotland’s most spectacular Highland landscapes are all within easy reach.

Our tours from Inverness travel even further, offering opportunities to discover the Isle of Skye, Glenfinnan, the Jacobite Steam Train and the dramatic landscapes of Scotland’s Far North.

For visitors who want to spend less time travelling to the Highlands and more time exploring them, Inverness makes an outstanding base.

Top 10 Attractions in Inverness

01

Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle overlooks the River Ness in the heart of the city and has long been a city landmark. Although the present red sandstone building dates from the 19th century, castles have occupied the site for hundreds of years.

Its elevated position provides wonderful views over the River Ness, the city and surrounding area. The castle is now a visitor attraction which tells the history and legends of the Scottish Highlands.

Inverness Castle
02

River Ness

Flowing through the centre of Inverness, the River Ness is an essential part of Inverness and one of the best places to enjoy a leisurely walk while exploring the Highland capital.

Attractive riverside pathways lead past historic buildings, churches and leafy parkland, while several bridges provide excellent views along the river. Follow the water upstream to explore the peaceful Ness Islands.

River Ness
03

Ness Islands

Connected to the riverbanks by elegant Victorian footbridges, the Ness Islands are a collection of peaceful wooded islands in the middle of the River Ness.

Despite being just a short walk from Inverness city centre, they offer a surprisingly tranquil escape. Follow the pathways beneath mature trees, cross the suspension bridges and enjoy attractive views of the river as it flows towards the Moray Firth.

04

Inverness Cathedral

Inverness Cathedral is also known as St Andrew’s Cathedral. It stands beside the River Ness on the opposite bank from the castle.

Completed in 1869, it was built in the Gothic Revival style and is noted for its twin towers, stone arches and stained-glass windows.

It is a pleasant stop when walking along the riverside.

05

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

Located in the heart of the city, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery provides an excellent introduction to the history, archaeology and culture of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands.

Its wide-ranging collection covers Highland geology and history, wildlife and traditional crafts. The museum is famed for its Jacobite history exhibits.

06

Victorian Market

Step inside the Victorian Market to discover one of Inverness’s most characterful shopping destinations. The covered market has been part of city-centre life since the 19th century.

Today, its historic arcades are home to independent shops, cafés and local businesses selling everything from gifts and jewellery to food and drink. Its convenient central location makes it an easy addition to a day exploring Inverness.

07

Loch Ness

Just a short journey from Inverness lies Loch Ness, one of Scotland’s most famous natural attractions and one of the four lochs in the Great Glen.

According to legend, it's home to the mysterious Loch Ness Monster, Nessie.

The loch stretches around 23 miles (36 km) and plummets to depths of up to 788 ft (240 m) and is surrounded by magnificent Highland scenery.

Take a cruise across its dark waters, visit historic attractions, such as Urquhart Castle, all the while keeping a watch for a glimpse of Nessie.

08

Culloden Battlefield

A few miles outside Inverness, Culloden Battlefield was the scene of the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and one of the most significant locations in Scottish history.

Here, on 16 April 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was defeated by Government forces. The outcome of the battle changed life in the Highlands for centuries. Today, visitors can explore the battlefield, see memorials marking the opposing lines and discover the story of the battle at the visitor centre.

Culloden Battlefield
09

Clava Cairns

Located close to Culloden, Clava Cairns is a remarkably well-preserved prehistoric site dating back around 4,000 years to the Bronze Age.

Explore ancient burial cairns, passage graves and standing stones surrounded by peaceful woodland and countryside. The arrangement of the stones and their relationship with the midwinter sun make this an especially fascinating archaeological site and a popular addition to a visit to nearby Culloden Battlefield.

Clava Cairns
10

Urquhart Castle

Overlooking the banks of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle has had a long and often violent history.

A fortress has stood on this site since the Iron Age. Urquhart was once one of Scotland’s largest castles and played an important role during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

The British Government blew up the castle in 1692 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jacobites.  

Today, you can explore the ruins, climb Grant Tower and look out across Loch Ness. With uninterrupted views over the water, the castle is also a good place to keep watch for Nessie.

Tours from Inverness - FAQs

Explore the banks of the River Ness, stroll through the Ness Islands and discover the city centre’s shops, restaurants and historic buildings. Popular attractions include Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Botanical Garden, the Victorian Market and the Inverness Castle Experience. You can also take an open-top city tour, while nearby attractions include Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and, of course, Loch Ness.

Yes. Known as the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness is an attractive and compact city with a scenic setting on the River Ness. It is worth visiting in its own right, but its location is another major attraction. Inverness makes an excellent base for exploring Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, Culloden, the Northern Highlands and other famous Highland destinations.

Loch Ness is a short drive from Inverness, making the city a great base for exploring Scotland’s most famous loch.

Choose from a selection of tours that will let you explore the loch and its surroundings, with some including a scenic cruise and the opportunity of visiting Urquhart Castle.

Yes. Inverness is in the Scottish Highlands and is widely known as the “Capital of the Highlands”. Its location at the northern end of the Great Glen makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding region, including Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, the Isle of Skye, the Northern Highlands and Scotland’s spectacular west coast.

Yes. Inverness is an excellent starting point for a day tour to the Isle of Skye. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you could see famous Skye attractions, including Portree, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Cuillin Hills, and the Fairy Pools. Some tours also visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle on the journey to or from Skye.

We have a selection of 3-day tours from Inverness to the Orkney Islands.

A 2-night stay on Orkney is included, and sightseeing includes famous prehistoric sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. You’ll also discover more about the Viking heritage of these islands.

A scenic drive along part of the famous North Coast 500 route through the Northern Highlands is also a feature, as is Orkney’s wonderful coastal scenery.