Lady’s 11 Things to Do in Inverness, Scotland

If there’s an underrated city in Scotland, it’s Inverness. Most visitors are so busy seeing the nearby attractions that they don’t stop in the Capital of the Highlands. But I’ve found myself with a day in Inverness and have been pleasantly surprised by how much there is to love about it. Today I bring you A Lady in London’s guide to things to do in Inverness.

Things to Do in Inverness

I’m here en route to the Isle of Skye, where I’m going to speak about experiential travel and social media for business at a conference. I’ve flown into Inverness and have some time to explore while I wait for my transfer to the island.

Before arriving, I looked online for things to do in Inverness. What surprised me is that everything I found talked about things to do near Inverness, but almost none mentioned a single thing to do in it. It was as if the city were empty.

But I’m a fan of visiting Britain’s underdog destinations, and I have a feeling Inverness will reveal as much excitement as places like Leicester, which I consider the most underrated city in England.

Spoiler alert: it has. There are so many things to do in Inverness that I don’t even get to see as many as I want to in the time I have. If you’re planning to stop here, leave yourself extra time to take it all in.

1. Inverness Castle

I’ll start with the castle. Perched on a hill, Inverness Castle can be seen from all over the city.

The fortress dates back to the 11th century, but the current buildings were erected in 1836. The unique red sandstone makes them stand out in the city’s architectural landscape.

The castle is worth a trip for its views over Inverness. There are great panoramas of the river and city center from outside the main buildings. There’s also a special Castle Viewpoint on site that offers 360-degree views of the city.

2. Leakey’s Bookshop

Another of the best things to do in Inverness is head to Leakey’s Bookshop. One of Scotland’s largest secondhand bookstores, it’s not only packed with tomes from floor to ceiling, but also set in a historic Gaelic church constructed in 1793.

Everything from a spiral staircase to a blazing wood burner adds atmosphere to this place. With books stacked all the way up the walls, it’s a magical shop for literary types.

Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness is well worth a visit to take in the ambiance, browse the titles, and pick up something new to read.

3. Abertaff House

Not far from Leakey’s, I discover that the city has a lot of history to dive into. Taking it in is one of my favorite things to do in Inverness.

Church Street is home to Abertaff House, the oldest secular building in Inverness. Dating back to 1593, this beautiful home was once the town house of the Frasers of Lovat.

It’s an important example of 16th-century domestic Scottish architecture, and when it’s open in the warmer months visitors can see exhibitions and visit the garden.

Even though it’s closed while I’m in town, I still fall in love with its unique exterior and sweet windows.

4. Old High Church of Inverness

Near Abertaff House, I stumble upon the 18th-century Old High Church of Inverness and its atmospheric graveyard on St Michael’s Mount.

There’s been a place of worship on this site since St Columba’s time in the 6th century, and monasteries and other buildings have come and gone in the ensuing years.

The church was used by government forces to house prisoners from the tragic Battle of Culloden in 1746. Those condemned to death were executed in the graveyard and buried under the path leading to the west porch.

There are still bullet marks on one wall of the church where the executioners’ fire occasionally missed.

Across the River Ness, wounded government troops from the Battle of Culloden were hospitalized in Balnain House, a white building with two tall chimneys. They watched from the windows as the prisoners were executed in the churchyard.

Steeped in history, the graveyard of the Old High Church of Inverness is atmospheric. And it’s not just Culloden lore, either. There are eye-catching features everywhere.

The 17th-century Robertsons of Inshes mausoleum is particularly stunning with its Neoclassical pillars and decorative masonry details.

5. Look Down

And speaking of details, one of the most unique things to do in Inverness is look down. The sidewalks are full of quotes, art, and other small wonders that make exploring the Highland Capital an exciting treasure hunt.

I love the quote outside Leakey’s Bookshop, which states “in the river of words / ideas are eddies / spinning downstream”.

Part of a public art plan, a series of “Street Texts” has been engraved into the paving stones around Inverness.

The series is based on a water theme in a nod to the River Ness and Caledonian Canal, which starts in Inverness and goes all the way to the west coast of Scotland.

Elsewhere, I love the golden leaves in the ground outside Abertaff House and the words carved into the raised stone planter boxes near where Church Street meets High Street.

6. Look Up

If looking down is one of the great things to do in Inverness, looking up is even better. There are a lot of historic architectural highlights in this city, from church spires to clock towers.

A walk down High Street brings this theme to life, with the likes of Inverness Town House and Inverness Castle to see. Also worth looking up for is The Steeple, a tower designed by William Sibbald and built by Alexander Laing in 1791.

The River Ness offers equally good opportunities to look up, what with there being historic buildings on both sides that are worth gazing skyward to admire.

7. Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

While a lot of the city’s highlights are outdoors, one of the best things to do in Inverness is visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

It has two floors of exhibits on the history and culture of the city and the Scottish Highlands. There are also rotating exhibitions to keep things fresh.

I spend time going through the collection, learning about everyone from the early inhabitants to the Vikings and the Jacobites. There’s natural history here, too, and I take in information about the area’s flora and fauna as I go.

It’s a great place to get an overview of Inverness and its place in Scotland’s history. It’s also helpful for getting background information before visiting nearby sites like the Culloden Battlefield.

8. Ness Islands

Back outside, the Ness Islands offer a serene break from the urban center. This group of islands in the River Ness is connected by a series of 19th-century suspension bridges.

The natural surroundings make them feel like they’re a million miles from the city.

One of the most exciting things to do in Inverness is take a walk around the Ness Islands. A 3-mile path goes through nature and past highlights like the Inverness Botanic Gardens, Whin Park, and Inverness Cathedral.

9. Inverness Town House

Back in the city center, the 19th-century Inverness Town House is worth a visit. The exterior is stunning with its Baronial flair and whimsical turrets. The details are worth getting up close for, not least the stone wolves guarding the entrance.

The interior is also worth seeing, and can be viewed on a guided tour. It features a grand staircase and portraits by famous Scottish artists like Allan Ramsay and Henry Raeburn.

The Council Chamber has beautiful stained-glass windows and chandeliers, too.

10. Victoria Market

Another of the best things to do in Inverness is visit Victoria Market. This historic shopping arcade was built in 1890 after its predecessor was destroyed by a fire.

Today it’s a great place to explore the city’s independent shops, pick up a souvenir, or have a cup of tea at one of the cafes. There’s a warren of small shops in the back, so make sure to walk around the whole place when you visit.

11. Sunset on the River Ness

After a busy day of sightseeing, I head to the river to take in a beautiful Highland sunset on the River Ness. Witnessing it is one of my favorite things to do in Inverness, and I feel lucky my trip has coincided with such a spectacular sky.

If you’re in Inverness on a clear day, I recommend trying to catch the sunset from Ness Bridge or Bank Street. It’s a beautiful sight, and a great way to end a day in the Capital of the Highlands.

Things to Do in Inverness and Beyond

I hope this blog post has convinced you that there are enough things to do in Inverness to merit a visit. This city is full of little surprises, and the combination of them makes it worth a special trip.

Inverness often gets overlooked in favor of nearby Scottish Highlands tour highlights like the Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and Loch Ness, but it’s an attraction in its own right, and one deserving of your time.

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