Inverness Tours

About Inverness

Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands and the natural base for exploring the north of Scotland. Compact, walkable, and set where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth, it combines city comforts with immediate access to some of Scotland's most significant historical sites and finest landscapes. The Inverness Castle Experience is the city's newest major attraction, opened in 2026 following a £47 million transformation. Located above the River Ness in the heart of the city, the restored castle offers an immersive introduction to Highland history, culture, and landscapes. It is the natural starting point for any visit to Inverness. The Victorian Market, dating to 1890, occupies the city centre with over 30 independent businesses under an ornate cast-iron and wooden domed roof. The Market Hall, Market Arcade, and Queensgate Arcade host food producers, craft shops, and Highland specialists. A walk along the River Ness leads to the Ness Islands — a peaceful chain of wooded islands connected by Victorian footbridges, perfect for a morning stroll. Culloden Battlefield lies 6 miles east of the city. On 16 April 1746, the last pitched battle on British soil was fought here — the Jacobite defeat ended the Stuart claim to the throne and changed Highland culture forever. The National Trust for Scotland visitor centre tells the story with moving displays, and an audio-guided walk across the moor locates the clan positions. Nearby, the Clava Cairns are a Bronze Age cemetery over 4,000 years old — standing stones and burial cairns in a beautiful wooded setting, thought to have inspired Craigh na Dun in the Outlander series. Chanonry Point on the Black Isle, a 30-minute drive from Inverness, is one of the best places in Europe to see bottlenose dolphins from the shore. Inverness is also the starting and finishing point for the North Coast 500.