STAYING IN INVERNESS FOR A BIT LONGER AND LOOKING FOR IDEAS?
Inverness Guide
Inverness restaurants
Rocpool Reserve: High end, luxurious dining experience in elegant surroundings. Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Enjoy a cocktail at the stylish bar in this 5 star establishment. https://rocpool.com/
Rocpool Restaurant: MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View A family owned and run restaurant on the banks of the River Ness; close to town and popular with the locals. Wide-ranging menus offer vibrant, colourful dishes that are full of flavour and have a distinct Mediterranean edge. https://www.rocpoolrestaurant.com/
Scotch & Rye: Casual gastropub menu & a wide range of cocktails and whisky offered in a dog-friendly, prohibition-chic setting. Can get busy so book ahead! https://www.scotchandrye.co.uk/
River House: One of the best eateries in the Highlands specialising in first-class fresh seafood dishes using seasonal, sustainable, local seafood and produce with river views. Advance booking essential. http://riverhouseinverness.co.uk/
Fig & Thistle: Popular bistro offers modern Scottish cuisine and a wide range of wine and cocktails in a cozy space with a relaxed vibe. https://www.facebook.com/FigandThistleBistro/
Culloden House Hotel: Fine dining in historic surroundings. Lunch, dinner & afternoon Tead. Dress code applies. “Here in the northernmost area of Britain is a grand Scottish country house which thankfully takes its food seriously. Chef Scott O’ Keefe draws on superb local and near-local produce: Loch Fyne salmon, sweet Orkney crab, Scotch beef fillet from the Highlands. Even the water here taste good although the whisky tastes better. What’s also nice about Culloden is that for a country house it isn’t too uptight, although prices reflect its style and standards. Children are welcome, and vegetarians too.” – THE TOP 60 INDEPENDENT UK RESTAURANTS, RESTAURANT GUIDE, THE GUARDIAN https://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/
The Mustard Seed: Modern, split-level setting in former church with wood burner, for carefully sourced European menu. A long established restaurant very popular with locals and tourists alike. https://www.mustardseedrestaurant.co.uk/
Number 27 Bar & Kitchen: An independent, lively bar and kitchen, situated in Inverness town centre opposite the Castle offering a selection of local ales, wines, spirits,draft beers and lagers. Emphasis is on fresh home cooked food with a difference. https://number27inverness.com/
Girvans: Girvans is a modern licensed family-run restaurant and patisserie with a global cafe menu, open daily, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Italian artisan coffee as well as delicious pâtisserie which is all hand-made, daily in house. The restaurant has a bustling atmosphere, the staff are professional and welcoming, and the food and drink has a strong focus on locally sourced, seasonal produce. https://girvansrestaurant.co.uk/
Velocity Cafe: Cool, cozy hangout featuring a creative cafe menu, espresso drinks & a workshop for bike repairs. Vegetarian & vegan friendly serving breakfast, brunch, daily specials and delicious salads. https://www.velocitylove.co.uk/
Aspendos: A Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant offering an authentic dining experience with freshly prepared Eastern Mediterranean & Turkish meze dishes as well as grilled kebabs, pasta and steaks. A lively restaurant located in the Victorian market. https://highlandaspendos.co.uk/
The White House: Breezy, well-appointed bistro for craft cocktails & elevated pub fare with local ingredients. Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks. Stylish but relaxed, city centre venue. https://thewhitehouse.uk.com/
Castle Tavern: An excellent spot to enjoy a bite to eat, a refreshing drink and a great atmosphere. Located across the street from Inverness Castle, the pub offers stunning views of the castle and the River Ness. Traditional real ale tavern serving a pub menu in classical decor, with beer garden and meal deals. https://www.castletavern.pub/
Out Of Town
Cawdor Tavern: Situated in the beautiful conservation village of Cawdor, close to the castle made famous by Shakespeare's Macbeth. Traditional and cosy oak-panelled pub with Jacobean chandeliers, open fire and pool table, serving excellent Modern Scottish food. Great for Sunday lunches. https://cawdortavern.co.uk/
Dores Inn: The Dores Inn sits on the north banks of Loch Ness, a few miles outside of Inverness. It has a fabulous beer garden that overlooks Loch Ness and Dores beach. A simple traditional pub and restaurant in a lovely location. Family-run with cosy indoor as well as outdoor tables, sweeping views and hearty home-baked produce. http://www.thedoresinn.co.uk/
The Anderson (Fortrose): located on the beautiful Black Idle The Anderson is known as the best whisky bar in the Highlands! An award winning American ‘smoke house’ style restaurant serves up a new menu of exotic Global Cuisine every day. The fire lit Whisky Bar stocks more than 200 single-malts, 100 Belgian beers and well-tendered real ales. Convenient to Inverness and perfect for golfing, walking and dolphin-watching. www.theanderson.co.uk
Nightlife
Hootanannys https://www.hootanannyinverness.co.uk/
Johnny Foxes https://johnnyfoxes.co.uk/
The Malt Room www.themaltroom.co.uk
MacCallums Bar https://www.facebook.com/MacCallumsbarinverness/
The Botanic House www.thebotanic.co.uk
Johnny Foxes https://johnnyfoxes.co.uk/
Revolution https://www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/inverness
Bar One https://www.baroneinverness.com/
Whisky & Piano Bar https://www.glenmoristontownhouse.com/whisky-piano-bar
Hotels
Kingsmills Hotel & Spa https://www.kingsmillshotel.com/
Culloden House Hotel https://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/
Rocpool Reserve https://rocpool.com/
Ness Walk https://www.nesswalk.com
Bunchrew House https://www.bunchrewhousehotel.com/
Glenmoriston Townhouse https://www.glenmoristontownhouse.com/
Premier Inn (City Centre) https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland/highland/inverness/inverness-centre-river-ness.html?CID=TRA_UK_BL_DESKTOP_INVRIV
Things to Do/Places to Visit
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland. A succession of castles have stood on this site since 1057, although the present structure dates from 1836. The present structure is a Category A listed building.
https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Highlands/castles/inverness-castle.htm
Walk along the banks of the River Ness & Ness Islands
The Ness islands are a collection of natural islands that sit in the middle of the River Ness, connected from the river banks and throughout by beautiful Victorian footbridges. Just a short stroll away from Inverness city centre it is a place of natural beauty to take a breath, get some exercise or just watch the world go by.
https://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/listings/ness-islands
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Boat Tour
The Ness islands are a collection of natural islands that sit in the middle of the River Ness, connected from the river banks and throughout by beautiful Victorian footbridges. Just a short stroll away from Inverness city centre it is a place of natural beauty to take a breath, get some exercise or just watch the world go by. Urquhart Castle's ruins, one of the largest in Scotland, are situated on a headland with panoramic views overlooking Loch Ness - it's iconic and there is simply nothing quite like it.
https://www.lochness-cruises.com/
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Discover more about the unique history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Explore our fascinating range of artefacts and collections that celebrate Highland life and heritage.
https://www.highlifehighland.com/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/
Inverness Cathedral
Inverness Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church situated in the city of Inverness in Scotland close to the banks of the River Ness.
https://invernesscathedral.org/
Eden Court Theatre & Cinema
Set on the banks of the River Ness in the heart of Inverness, and offering drama, dance, shows, opera, musicals, comedy and music, Eden Court is the largest entertainment venue in the Highlands. There is also an art gallery with permanent and temporary displays along with a cinema and restaurant.
Hop on Hop Off Bus
Enjoy one of the popular open-top double-decker bus tours which give an insight into the history of Inverness, known as the Capital of the Highlands.
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/93/inverness
Cawdor Castle (of Shakespeare's Macbeth fame)
No visit to the Highlands would be complete without seeing the stunning Cawdor Castle and Gardens, located just east of Inverness outside the picturesque village of Cawdor. Cawdor Castle is famous for its connection to the Shakespeare play Macbeth and holds many secrets that visitors will want to discover.
Dolphin watching in the Moray Firth
Why not do some dolphins spotting! A number of your operators will take you out in the Moray Firth to see if you can spot some of the resident bottlenose dolphins. The largest and most northerly colony in the UK.
For Outlander fans
Culloden Battle field & Visitor Centre
Powerfully emotive and atmospheric battlefield with interactive visitor centre where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. The last hand-to-hand battle fought on British soil. Located 5 miles out of the city centre.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/culloden-battlefield-p247471
Culloden House Hotel
At the time of the Jacobite uprising in 1745-46, Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as his lodging and battle headquarters prior to the fateful battle on Culloden Moor. Today this elegant building is an award winning luxury hotel set in 40 acres of ground.
https://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/
Clava Cairns
One of the most sacred historic sites in Scotland, the mystical Clava Cairns is a Bronze Age cemetery complex. Tucked away in a beautiful woodland setting near Inverness, the captivating complex has become a bucket list tourist site for fans of the TV series Outlander
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/clava-cairns-p245611
Further afield
Dunrobin Castle, near Dornoch http://www.dunrobincastle.co.uk/
Fort George, Ardersier https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/fort-george/
Brodie Castle, near Forres https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle
Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochness/Fairyglen.shtml
Eilean Donan Castle, by Kyle of Lochalsh https://www.eileandonancastle.com/
Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye https://www.dunvegancastle.com/
Fairy Pool, Isle of Skye https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/fairy-pools
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/
Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/
Shopping in /near inverness
Eastgate Shopping centre https://eastgateshopping.co.uk/
Victorian Market https://www.thevictorianmarket.com/
Inverness Retail Park
& Vue Cinema https://www.invernessshoppingpark.co.uk/
Harris Tweed shop (Inglis Street) https://harristweedisleofharris.co.uk/store/
Leakey's Bookshop (Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop) https://leakeysbookshop.com/
Brodie Countryfare, near Forres https://www.brodiecountryfare.com/