Legends and mythical creatures, unique landscapes of natural beauty and stories from the depths of the ages, came to life before our eyes in picturesque Inverness.
In the northern part of Scotland, on the banks of the River Ness, the enchanting Inverness stands. This small, picturesque town with its distinct atmosphere, rich history and unique natural scenery is regarded as the capital of the Highlands and is one of the most beloved destinations for those who want to discover the authentic side of Scotland. Although much smaller than Edinburgh and Glasgow, Inverness blends tranquility with tourism, is entirely walkable, and feels as if it has stepped out of a fairytale. The area is linked to pivotal periods in Scotlands history, to legends like that of Macbeth, and of course to myths such as the Loch Ness Monster.
Although many include it in their plans for no more than a few hours, we travelled and stayed there for two days to get to know its story. After all, it is the ideal base for exploring the the Highlands, discovering castles, lakes and historic landscapes, and enjoying the warm hospitality of northern Scotlands locals.
Attractions
Inverness Castle
The citys most iconic landmark is Inverness Castle (Inverness Castle), which crowns the hill beside the River Ness. It is an impressive building from the 1800s, built of red sandstone which gives it its distinctive hue. From there you can enjoy panoramic views over lush green expanses, as well as across the whole city.
St Andrews Cathedral
Directly opposite the castle on the rivers far bank stands the Inverness Cathedral dedicated to St Andrew, with more than 150 years of history. It is a church of the Scottish Episcopal Church, with Gothic architecture and distinctive square bell towers.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
The Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG) stands next to the castle. It houses finds from the earliest era of life in the area, around three million years ago. The history of the Highlands comes to life through interactive exhibits, as well as a valuable photographic archive and artworks displayed on loan from the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Uilebheist distillery - brewery
One of the citys newest attractions is the Uilebheist distillery - brewery located on the banks of the Ness, in the centre of Inverness. It is an impressive building that opened its doors in 2023 and is a multi-experience venue centred on the local Lager Uile-bheist beer and Colpach Blended Whisky. You can sit down for food and drinks, and also book a tour of the facilities to learn all about the distillation methods.
What impressed us on our tour was how much we learned about Scotlands legends and the countrys mythical monsters beyond the famous Loch Ness creature. In addition, our guide spoke at length about the Scots legendary language, Gaelic, and the locals efforts to preserve and promote it.
City walks
River Ness and Ness Islands
The River Ness flows through the city and is the most beautiful place for a stroll in every season. In winter the scene is misty and atmospheric, while in summer everything is lush green. Walking along the river you will admire the towns picturesque buildings, as well as the Ness Islands, the small verdant islets linked by bridges, offering a peaceful escape into nature.
Opposite the islets are the northernmost botanic gardens in the United Kingdom. The Inverness Botanic Gardens are a living oasis that changes every season, as well as a quiet place to relax and enjoy your coffee.
High Street and The Victorian Market
In the heart of the city youll find High Street, Invernesss main shopping street. All around youll find shops for purchases and souvenirs, as well as many local products such as wool scarves, suits and wool-lined bags. In just three minutes on foot youll reach the The Victorian Market.
This is a historic building dating from 1890 with an ornate vaulted roof of cast iron and wood. It is home to 30 independent businesses, many of which have been operating in the same spot for generations. In the markets central hall youll find a variety of restaurants and cafés with local cuisine and more.
Church Street and Leakeys Bookshop
Walking along Church Street youll come across a variety of restaurants and pubs to sample local beers and the flavours of Scotland. Among the traditional dishes youll find, standouts include Haggis, the most traditional Scottish dish, Scotch eggs, Scotch beef, salmon, fish and chips and local cheeses. At the end of the street youll reach the Old High Church, an impressive church overlooking the river and the city. It is the oldest church in Inverness, with a clock tower dating from medieval times that still chimes to this day.
However, what will steal your heart if youre a book lover is Leakey’s Bookshop next to the church. A jewel of the city, it was founded in 1979 by Charles Leaky and originally spread across two shops. In the 1990s it moved into an old Gaelic Church with stone walls and arched windows and is perhaps the largest bookshop in Scotland with second-hand books.
Stepping through its door youll feel as if youve walked onto a Harry Potter set, as every corner of the bookshop is covered in shelves of books. Beyond the roughly 100,000 titles - some of which are 100 years old -, youll find maps and antiques. In the middle stands a staircase leading to the mezzanine. From there youll enjoy a view over the whole bookstore and the central wood-burning stove that warms the space.
Discover the Highlands
Inverness is the ideal base for getting to know the Scottish Highlands. This is the north-western part of Scotland that encompasses the regions and mountain ranges that were the homeland of the Gaels, as their Gaelic name A’ Ghàidhealtachd attests. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, with abundant nature, villages and mountains that are well worth exploring if you have days to spare.
Loch Ness and the legendary Monster
No trip to the Highlands is complete without a visit to Loch Ness. The lakes most famous resident is the legendary Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, the mythical creature that stars in Scotlands most famous tales. Loch Ness (Loch Ness) is a large, deep lake — the countrys second largest and second deepest — about 37 kilometres (23 miles) southwest of Inverness. There are many ways to get to know the area, such as by car, or organised excursions from Inverness as well as from Edinburgh.
Our search for Nessie began with a cruise departing from Dochgarroch Lock on the River Ness, which flows through Loch Dochfour and ends at Loch Ness. In an icy scene with melting snow, we glided across the calm waters of the lochs sipping hot chocolate with whisky to warm up, admiring the areas nature and the few traditional houses along the lakes, set against tranquil blue waters.
We made a stop at the emblematic Urquhart Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. The well-preserved castle boasts more than 1,000 years of history and has witnessed some of the nations most dramatic chapters. Its iconic ruins offer a glimpse into the medieval world and the lives of its noble residents.
Another important stop on the lakeshore was the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (Loch Ness Exhibition Centre), founded in 1980 and consistently ranked as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland. It is the hotel from which the Monsters fame is said to have begun, which today has been shaped into an interactive centre where you can explore the myth of Nessie and other legendary creatures of the country. After the tour, its up to you whether youll believe that Nessie truly exists. It is even said that anyone who manages to spot her in the lake and prove she is real will be awarded a significant sum of money.
The famous Highland cows
We returned from the cruise by road, which gave us the chance to meet these adorable Highland cows. The Highland coos, as the locals call them, sport shaggy ginger coats that fall over their eyes and are one of the most recognisable Scottish symbols. Youll find them behind fences on the areas farms, where you can visit, photograph them and in many cases be allowed to feed them.
Culloden Battlefield
Just a quarter of an hours drive from Inverness we reach the famed Culloden Battlefield, the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre. This is the site where, on 16 April 1746, the legendary battle that lasted only one hour took place, changing the Highlands way of life forever. Here youll hear accounts from people who took part and learn everything about the events that led to the battle, as well as all that happened after it.
How and when to go to Inverness
Inverness has an airport connected to several British cities and a few European ones. However, the easiest way to reach it when travelling from Greece is Edinburgh Airport. Many choose to follow an organised day trip from Edinburgh, but if you want to stay there, you can either rent a car and get there in about 3.5 hours, take a bus, or a train from Edinburgh Haymarket station with a terminal stop at Inverness railway station, which lies right in the city centre.
If you plan to travel over a weekend, its best to book tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. The best period to visit Inverness is considered to be from late spring to autumn, when the weather is warmer and the landscapes in bloom. We, however, went in winter, when it was very cold and there was fog at certain times of day. If you can handle the cold, its worth visiting Scotland at this time, as youll have the opportunity to enjoy your strolls without crowds, and to find accommodation at lower prices since it is not the tourist season.
