Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands and every year crowds of tourists flock to the city. Most visitors head to the famous attractions like Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield, or use it as a base for exploring the surrounding area. However, not many people realise just how many things there are to do in Inverness, including many hidden gems.
It is worth spending a few days in the city to fully explore what it has to offer. If you enjoy visiting lesser known places on your travels, you will want to check out this list.
Ness Islands
It is always nice to find a little bit of green space where you can escape the crowds in a city. Ness Islands are a group of islands that sit in the middle of the River Ness. They can easily be reached by a pleasant walk along the river from the city centre and you can cross from one to another on a series of pretty Victorian Bridges. The return walk from the city centre is around 3 miles if you complete the full route. The islands themselves have woodland pathways and benches where you can sit by the river and watch the world go by. On a sunny day they make for a great picnic spot.
The Victorian Market
The city centre of Inverness has a good variety of High Street stores, however the Victorian Market is a great place to find small, independent local businesses. The historic covered market dates back to 1870 and all the Victorian features have been retained including the centrepiece clock. There are over 40 shops selling everything from souvenirs to jewellery, there is even a bagpipe supplier. Cafes and restaurants offer a choice of cuisine and hand-baked cakes.
Castle Viewpoint
Inverness Castle isn’t actually open to the public, apart from one tower that you can climb for a view over the city. There is a small admission fee for the Castle Viewpoint and on a clear or sunny day it is absolutely worth it. There are several floors with exhibitions to explore on the way up. The video at the start explains some of the history of Inverness and points out landmarks of note that you can spot from the top of the tower. On another floor you can read about Brahan Seer, a famous local prophet in the 17th century. Once you reach the top, there is an open viewpoint with 360 degree vistas across Inverness and beyond. It is undoubtedly the best view in the city and on a clear day you can see for miles.
Clava Cairns
Thanks to Outlander, there has been a huge rise in people travelling to Scotland to view ancient standing stones. While many tourists head off to see the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis, or the Ring of Brodgar on Orkney, not as many realise that there is also a site next to Inverness. Clava Cairns dates back 4000 years and has three stone circles and four burial cairns. It is free to visit and there are several interpretation boards explaining the history of the site. Clava Cairns is not far from Culloden and it is easy to combine a visit to both while you are in the area.
Leakey’s Bookshop
If you love browsing second-hand books or visiting a store that could have featured in a Harry Potter movie, then don’t miss Leakey’s Bookshop. It is situated in an old church in the centre of Inverness, although it is tucked away on a quiet side street and easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there. You can find books on every subject, including a large Scottish section. There are also old maps, rare prints and even a wood-burning stove to keep you warm while you browse. Some of the original features like the pulpit have been retained and some say it if the most beautiful bookshop in Scotland.
