Inverness-7-day-itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Inverness

Places to Go:

  • Inverness Castle: A 19th-century castle with stunning views of the city and Moray Firth. Admission free.
  • Eastgate Shopping Centre: A convenient place to pick up any essentials or grab a snack.

Activities:

  • Take a stroll along the River Ness and enjoy the scenic views.
  • Visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (admission free) to learn about the city’s history and culture.

Where to Eat:

  • The Mustard Seed: A cozy restaurant serving seasonal Scottish cuisine. Try their famous venison burgers! (£15-£25 per meal)
  • Cafe 1: A great spot for coffee and cake, with a lovely atmosphere.

Where to Stay:

  • Inverness Youth Hostel: A budget-friendly option with dorms and private rooms from £20-£60 per night.
  • The Kingsmills Hotel: A stylish hotel with comfortable rooms from £80-£150 per night.

Things to Know:

  • Inverness is a small city, so walking or cycling are great ways to get around.
  • Be prepared for unpredictable Scottish weather!

Day 2: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

Places to Go:

  • Loch Ness: Take a scenic drive along the shores of Scotland’s most famous loch. Keep an eye out for the legendary Loch Ness Monster!
  • Urquhart Castle: A ruined castle with stunning views of Loch Ness (admission £6-£8 per person).

Activities:

  • Take a boat tour of Loch Ness (£15-£25 per person) to get up close and personal with the loch.
  • Visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (£5-£7 per person) to learn more about the loch’s history and mythology.

Where to Eat:

  • The Drumnadrochit Hotel: A cozy pub serving delicious food, including their famous fish and chips! (£10-£20 per meal)
  • The Loch Ness Cafe: A great spot for coffee and cake, with lovely views of the loch.

Where to Stay:

  • The Glenmoriston Town House: A stylish B&B with comfortable rooms from £80-£120 per night.
  • The Loch Ness Inn: A family-run hotel with cozy rooms from £50-£100 per night.

Day 3: Inverness Shores and Clachan

Places to Go:

  • Inverness Beach: A scenic beach with lovely views of the Moray Firth.
  • Clachan Inn: A historic pub serving traditional Scottish food (admission free).

Activities:

  • Take a stroll along the beach and enjoy the sea air.
  • Visit the nearby Clach an Cinn Gille, a prehistoric stone circle.

Where to Eat:

  • The Beach Restaurant: A great spot for seafood and stunning views of the Moray Firth (£15-£25 per meal).
  • The Clachan Inn: Try their famous Scottish breakfast! (£10-£20 per meal).

Where to Stay:

  • The Inverness Travelodge: A convenient hotel with comfortable rooms from £50-£100 per night.
  • The Clachan Cottage B&B: A cozy B&B with private rooms from £60-£120 per night.

Day 4: Culloden Battlefield

Places to Go:

  • Culloden Battlefield: The site of the final Jacobite Rising in 1746 (admission £8-£10 per person).
  • The Highlanders’ Museum: A museum showcasing the history and culture of Scotland’s Highlanders.

Activities:

  • Take a guided tour of the battlefield (£5-£7 per person) to learn more about this pivotal moment in Scottish history.
  • Visit the nearby National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Battlefield Centre (admission £8-£10 per person).

Where to Eat:

  • The Culloden Hotel: A stylish hotel with a restaurant serving modern Scottish cuisine (£15-£25 per meal).
  • The Highlanders’ Cafe: A cozy spot for coffee and cake, with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

Where to Stay:

  • The Culloden House B&B: A family-run B&B with comfortable rooms from £60-£120 per night.
  • The National Trust’s Culloden Battlefield Centre: Camping options available (£5-£10 per person).

Day 5: Inverness Shores and Moray Firth

Places to Go:

  • Inverness Beach: A scenic beach with lovely views of the Moray Firth.
  • The Moray Firth: Take a boat tour or stroll along the shore to enjoy the sea air.

Activities:

  • Visit the nearby Invergordon Distillery for a whisky tasting (£10-£20 per person).
  • Take a hike through the nearby Glenmoriston Country Park (free admission).

Where to Eat:

  • The Beach Restaurant: A great spot for seafood and stunning views of the Moray Firth (£15-£25 per meal).
  • The Invergordon Hotel: Try their famous Scottish breakfast! (£10-£20 per meal).

Where to Stay:

  • The Inverness Travelodge: A convenient hotel with comfortable rooms from £50-£100 per night.
  • The Glenmoriston Country Park B&B: A cozy B&B with private rooms from £60-£120 per night.

Day 6: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

Places to Go:

  • Loch Ness: Take a scenic drive along the shores of Scotland’s most famous loch. Keep an eye out for the legendary Loch Ness Monster!
  • Urquhart Castle: A ruined castle with stunning views of Loch Ness (admission £6-£8 per person).

Activities:

  • Take a boat tour of Loch Ness (£15-£25 per person) to get up close and personal with the loch.
  • Visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (£5-£7 per person) to learn more about the loch’s history and mythology.

Where to Eat:

  • The Drumnadrochit Hotel: A cozy pub serving delicious food, including their famous fish and chips! (£10-£20 per meal).
  • The Loch Ness Cafe: A great spot for coffee and cake, with lovely views of the loch.

Where to Stay:

  • The Glenmoriston Town House: A stylish B&B with comfortable rooms from £80-£120 per night.
  • The Loch Ness Inn: A family-run hotel with cozy rooms from £50-£100 per night.

Day 7: Departure

Places to Go:

  • Inverness Castle: Visit the castle one last time and take in the views of the city and Moray Firth.
  • Eastgate Shopping Centre: Pick up any last-minute essentials or grab a snack before departing.

Activities:

  • Take a stroll along the River Ness for some last-minute sightseeing.
  • Visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (admission free) to learn about the city’s history and culture one last time.

Where to Eat:

  • The Mustard Seed: A cozy restaurant serving seasonal Scottish cuisine. Try their famous venison burgers! (£15-£25 per meal).
  • Cafe 1: A great spot for coffee and cake, with a lovely atmosphere.

Transportation:

  • If you’re flying out of Inverness Airport (INV), take a taxi or bus from the city centre.
  • If you’re driving to another destination, be sure to fill up on petrol before departing.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Be prepared for unpredictable Scottish weather!
  • Try some traditional Scottish cuisine, such as haggis or Cullen skink (smoked haddock chowder).
  • Take a moment to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of Inverness-shire.
  • Don’t forget to say hello to the locals and ask them about their favourite spots in the area!

I hope this 7-day itinerary helps you plan your trip to Inverness, Scotland!