My friend and I are going to be staying in Inverness for three nights which will give us two full days. We will be taking the train up from Edinburgh and I am wondering about Inverness itself. Is there much to see in the town itself? One of our days we will be renting a car and driving out to some of the Speyside whisky distilleries. While there we would also like to see Culloden, Clava Cairns, and Loch Ness. I'm trying to decide what order is best to do things in and am wondering what is a good amount of time to plan on spending seeing Inverness itself? I've heard a lot about the surrounding sites/area but not about the city.
Thanks!
Posted by
Las Vegas, NV, USA
190 posts
For nightlife, Inverness has a pedestrian area with a great place called Hootenanny's which has live music, much of it traditional. The area used to be very rough, causing the merchants to lose money. They got together with the city government and cleaned up the area, installing security and security guards (lots of it!) and making the place both safe and fun. My daughter had a really fun time there.
Posted by
Inverness, Highlands, UK
5 posts
Inverness is a pretty standard UK middle sized town It was granted city status for the Millenium (might have been the Queen's golden jubillee)but that doesn't make it any bigger or interesting. The River Ness outlets to the sea here (hence the name) and you take a boat along to Loch Ness. Inverness castle is the Law Courts so unless you throw a brick through a shop window you won't see the inside. Nothing else of note about Inverness.
Culloden is excellent and just down the road from Clava Cairns. If you have time (and the interest in that sort of thing of course) can I recommend Cawdor Castle. Closer than Speyside, just the other sidew of Clava Cairns. It's Macbeth's castle in Shakespeare, if you know the work he is known s the Thane of Cawdor. (Thane id an Olde Englishe court administrator/courtier)
Talking of Speyside, the main Highland Whisky distilleries are much closer to Inverness. Dalmore, Glenmorangie (prounced GleMORangy as in oranges not as Americans and English say it),Balblair etc. They are North of Inverness. Mind
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We also enjoyed Culloden and Cawdor Castle. There is a very nice garden behind the castle which we were unable to explore due to rain. Inverness did not appeal to us at all and I can't imagine staying there. We found a sheep farm B&B which was very charming and just a few miles from Culloden. Another castle is in Nairn which is in the same area. The town of Cawdor is very small and has a pub which is more of a restaurant and I recommend it--it is the only one in Cawdor so not hard to find. Have a great trip!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
There is a small city museum / gallery. Do try Hootananny's the music is great. There is also a theater which you might want to check on. You can take a boat trip out to the Moray Firth to look for Dolphins. A lot of things are near by as opposed to in the city. But, I love Inverness. I think I could live there and be very happy. The Black Isle is another logical excursion. Also, Fort George is interesting as well. If you're going down to Loch Ness, do check out Urquhart Castle. I had a great meal a the Mustard Seed. Also, there is a great little pub back behind the castle. You can sit outside, enjoy an ale and watch tourists.
Pam
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
We LOVE Inverness and the surrounding area. Across from the station is a neat shopping arcade. Cool shops. Nice walks down the river in both directions. Take a cruise on the firth- might see dolphins. You really don't have to rent a car- there are good 1/2 and full day trips you can do with companies like Puffin Express and Heavenly Highlands. Distillery tours, too. Inverness is my absolute UK favorite after London.