{"id":4625,"date":"2026-10-16T11:37:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T09:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/guides\/que-faire-a-inverness\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:43:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T11:43:53","slug":"things-to-do-in-inverness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/things-to-do-in-inverness\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Inverness: sightseeing, Culloden and Loch Ness"},"content":{"rendered":"

You are wondering What to do in Inverness<\/strong> The capital of the Highlands, the city is the gateway to Loch Ness, the Culloden battlefield, and the famous North Coast 500. Small and charming, it can be explored in a day and then serves as a base for further excursions. Here are our favorite sights and tips from a travel agency based in Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short:<\/strong> In Inverness, start with a stroll along the River Ness to the Ness Islands, then browse the Victorian Market and Leakey's bookshop. Next, visit the Culloden Battlefield and the Clava Cairns, about 10 kilometers away. Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle are approximately 30 minutes away. Inverness is about a 3.5-hour train journey from Edinburgh; allow 2 to 3 days to explore the city and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Things to do in Inverness: city sightseeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The banks of the River Ness and the Ness Islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most beautiful walk in the city follows the river from the center to the Ness Islands, small wooded islands connected by footbridges. Allow about an hour for the round trip, a peaceful stroll right in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The castle and the cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The red sandstone castle overlooks the river. It is currently being converted into a visitor centre dedicated to Highland history, so check its opening times before visiting. On the opposite bank, the neo-Gothic St Andrew's Cathedral is also worth a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Victorian Market and Leakey's Bookshop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Victorian Market is a 19th-century covered shopping arcade with shops and small restaurants. Nearby, Leakey's, one of Scotland's largest second-hand bookshops, occupies a former church with a wood-burning stove at its center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must-see attractions around the city<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Culloden Battlefield<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was crushed there by government troops: it was the last pitched battle on British soil. The visitor center of National Trust for Scotland<\/a> It tells the story of the battle in an immersive way. Outlander fans will also recognize a key location from the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clava Cairns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just a few minutes from Culloden, these Bronze Age tombs, surrounded by stone circles, are said to have inspired the Craigh na Dun stones in Outlander. The site is open to the public. Also discover our Outlander filming locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About 30 minutes southwest, Urquhart Castle overlooks Loch Ness. A boat trip from Dochgarroch or Drumnadrochit then offers a chance to see the loch from the water. Our guide What to do around Loch Ness<\/a> details all the steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort George, Cawdor and the dolphins of Chanonry Point<\/h3>\n\n\n\n