TOP 5 PLACES TO EAT & DRINK
“DORES INN
Situated along the banks of Loch Ness. Choose from a wide range of mouth-watering dishes and, with its traditional furnishings and wood-burning stove, it is sure to set the right ambience for the evening.
RIVER HOUSE RESTAURANT
You certainly won’t go hungry here with the restaurant’s extensive food & drink menu. Working with local suppliers, you can always expect high quality dishes that will certainly go down a treat. For starters, why not opt for the pan-seared Isle of Harris scallops or Orkney crab on toast and for mains, sink your teeth into a tasty 28-day matured Scottish ribeye – simply delicious! Enjoy a night on the town! Inverness is certainly the place to let your hair down!
BAR ONE
A great find if you are looking to try a delicious cocktail or two while you lap up its lively atmosphere.
RIVER HOUSE RESTAURANT
River House is situated on the banks of the River Ness, at the foot of the Victorian built Greig Street suspension bridge. Serving the finest seafood and shellfish, sourced locally and beyond. Oysters, crab, mussels, langoustine, clams, halibut, bass, to name a few.
BLACK ISLE BREWERY
Sample some of the best ales and meals on offer and when the weather is nice, make sure to soak up those rays in the beer garden. If you’re partial to sipping away on a craft beer. Why not sink your teeth into one of their delicious wood-fired pizzas to go along with your meal?”
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN INVERNESS FOR FAMILIES
“Frankie and Lolas is a multi-award-winning safari-themed indoor play space in Inverness. Suitable for young kids, the various play areas will keep kids of all ages entertained. This is a fantastic activity should the weather not be up to outdoor shenanigans. The café is a popular place for the adults to hang out and enjoy the local, healthy, homemade food and of course, a coffee or two!
NAIRN BEACH
Kids love a beach day! Nairn’s Central Beach is just a few miles from Inverness, but well worth a visit. The beach has beautiful pristine white sands and is backed by low dunes. And is one of the sunniest spots in the Highlands (on a good day). The soft sand is ideal for traditional beach days of paddling and sandcastle building.
The harbour is filled with pleasure boats and the water the beach is filled with sea life, and more specifically, a colony of dolphins that’s spottable from the shore! The beach’s abundance of facilities like local cafés and toilets makes it a beauty of a beach to visit with the family in the summer, and a top thing to do in Inverness with kids (even though it is outside Inverness!).
LANDMARK FOREST ADVENTURE PARK
For an action-packed family day out near Inverness, Landmark Forest Adventure Park has everything to keep the whole family entertained.
In the Dinosaur Kingdom, the kids will come face to face with a fearsome T-Rex, explore the ancient forest and submerge themselves in a lush nature trail. Kids of all ages will love the rope courses and the Wild Water Coaster!
Every adventure-loving kid loves a day out at Landmark! Top it off with a trip to the café to feed the hungry explorers. An easy choice of things to do in Inverness with kids!
HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK
Get up close and personal with Scottish wildlife and endangered animals! The Highland Wildlife Park has a wide and diverse range of animals that’ll have the kids transfixed!
You can see beautiful native species such as the Capercaillie and Scottish Wildcat, as well as more exotic animals like the Amur Tiger and their majestic Polar Bears.
There are several opportunities for learning at one of the many ranger talks and exhibitions. Make memories that’ll last forever with a visit to learn all about these animals. There’s nothing quite like seeing them with your own eyes!
Book tickets for your adventure ahead of time here to avoid disappointment.
WHIN PARK & NESS ISLANDS RAILWAY
Spend a day in glorious nature at the best park in Inverness – Whin Park. The park’s outdoor play areas will keep the kids entertained for hours whilst you enjoy the picturesque setting and nature trails that surround the park next to the River Ness. Crashed planes, zip rides, climbing slides, and many more exciting attractions make a trip to Whin Park a memorable one for the kids. The Park also boasts a terrific boating pond that is inhibited by all manner of local wildlife. Take turns to row around the idyllic surroundings and then enjoy an ice cream from the park’s wee but appropriately stocked shop. Whin Park is also home to Ness Islands Railway. This small-gauge train navigates through Whin Park and offers a whistle-stop tour of some of the fascinating natural sights that inhabit the popular family attraction in Inverness.
Just walking distance from the park you will find a skate park for the more sporty kids, a miniature golf course, multi-purpose pitches, and beautiful nature walks. Why not hire a bike in Inverness from Tartan Adventure and glide through the Ness Islands and over the gorgeous Victorian bridges in a setting that will blow away any stress you’ve clung to? Tartan Adventure offers kids trailers for their bikes too, so you can take the kids on your adventure around the Ness Islands and beyond.”
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN INVERNESS AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
“CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD
A prominent location during the Jacobite Rising in 1745. Head to the Battle of Culloden Visitor Centre and feel like you are right at the very heart of the action as you immerse yourself in the 360-degree immersive theatre experience. Discover the unfolding story of the Jacobite Rising as you learn more about the Jacobite and Government perspectives with unique artifacts on display around the museum on the series of events that occurred. Make sure to pop into the gift shop and take a small piece of history home with you ranging from the flowers of the Battlefield to Culloden whisky.
INVERNESS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
History buffs are in for a treat when they step inside the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Spend a few hours taking a look round its fascinating range of artifacts and collections that celebrate the very best of Highland life and its heritage.
CLAVA CAIRNS
Stop en-route to Clava Cairns. Take a wander around this Bronze Age cemetery where you will come across graves dating back as far as 2000 BC where you will have a fantastic insight to the Highlands remarkable history.
RIVER NESS & NESS ISLANDS
Make the most of your one day in Inverness by heading to the River Ness and Islands. Make sure to pack your hiking boots as the area offers a range of challenging walking routes, perfect for the keen adventurer! If you don’t want to walk for miles and want to take things at an easier pace, there are many short walks to be enjoyed including the Inverness City Centre to the Ness Islands, a group of islands located in the middle of the River Ness each connected with suspension bridges to get from A to B. Fancy making the most out of your time here? The Ness Islands is a key spot for runners with its endless pathways and natural surroundings.
INVERNESS BOTANIC GARDENS
You might want to escape the busy bustle of the city centre but peace and tranquillity can never be found too far away at the Inverness Botanic Gardens. From exotic plants and trees to cactus houses, the gardens create the perfect little oasis for you to chill out!”