Inverness is the gateway to the Highlands, and the days out from here are some of the most memorable you'll have. Loch Ness is a short drive away, with its castle ruins and lochside villages; the Black Isle across the water has dolphins, beaches and good food; and the battlefield at Culloden and the ancient Clava Cairns are just outside the city. Go a little further and the glens and mountains open up in every direction.
Every day is worked out stop by stop, with the drive or the boat between each place, where to stop for lunch, and what to book before you go, since the most popular cruises and sites fill up in summer. A few can be done without a car, using local buses and boats. Choose a day that suits you and enjoy the Highlands on your doorstep.
Your best match · In InvernessWhin Park, the Ness Islands and a hot chocolate at XOKOOn foot, about three and a half hours.See the day
In InvernessThe River Ness and a pint at the Castle TavernOn foot, about three hours
In InvernessInverness Museum and Art Gallery and lunch at RocpoolOn foot, about three hours
In InvernessInverness's old town: the Victorian Market, the Old High Church, Leakey's, the cathedral and the castle hillA day on foot, about 2 miles
In InvernessA wet day in InvernessA day by bus and on foot
In InvernessA Day in InvernessA day on foot, about 3 milesMembers
In InvernessInverness Leisure, the Botanic Gardens and Whin ParkOn foot, about six hours
In InvernessThe wave pool and lazy river at Inverness LeisureBy car, about three hours
In InvernessInverness Botanic Gardens and lunch at Café BotanicsOn foot, about two and a half hours
About 5 miles awayThe Black Isle Brewery and lunch at the Black Isle BarBy car, about three hours
About 5 miles awayCulloden Battlefield and afternoon tea at Culloden HouseBy car, about three and a half hours
About 4 miles awayLoch Ness from Inverness without a car: a cruise from Dochgarroch Lock and Urquhart Castle by busA day by bus and boat
About 5 miles awayCulloden, Cawdor and Nairn: a day east of InvernessA day by car, about 40 miles
About 5 miles awayThe Munlochy Clootie Well and its woodland walkBy car, about two hours with lunch; three quarters of an hour for the two paths
About 5 miles awayHunting for History on the Black IsleA few hours by car, about 9 milesMembers
About 6 miles awayClava Cairns at sunset and supper at the Cawdor TavernBy car, about three hours
About 7 miles awayThe Tall Trees Trail walk in Reelig GlenBy car, about three-quarters of an hour
About 8 miles awayCoffee at Bakhoos and Fortrose CathedralOn foot, about an hour and a half
About 8 miles awayChanonry Point and the Fairy Glen with the kids and the dogBy car, about five and a half hours
About 8 miles awayChanonry Point's dolphinsBy car, about two hours
About 9 miles awayThe Fairy Glen with the dog and lunch in RosemarkieBy car, about three hours
About 9 miles awayA barrel sauna on Rosemarkie beachOn foot, about two and a half hours
About 10 miles awayWhisky of the firthsA day by car, about 90 miles
About 13 miles awayUdale Bay's wigeon and wadersBy car, about an hour and a half
About 13 miles awayBlack Rock Gorge and lunch at the StorehouseBy car, about two and a half hours
About 14 miles awayA walk to the Touchstone Maze above StrathpefferBy car, about an hour and a half
About 14 miles awayKnockfarrel, the Touchstone Maze and lunch in StrathpefferBy car, about three and a half hours
About 15 miles awayThe Invergordon mural trail walkBy car, an hour to an hour and a half
About 15 miles awayNairn's East Beach, harbour and piers walkBy car, about an hour, or two to three hours for the 6.25 miles to Culbin and back
About 15 miles awayNairn beach, the harbour and lunch at Basil Harbour CaféOn foot, about two hours
About 16 miles awayDolphins and the Moray Firth: a day over the Kessock BridgeA day by car, about 53 miles
About 16 miles awayThe community sauna in CromartyOn foot, about three hours
About 16 miles awayStrathpeffer and Rogie FallsA day by car, about 49 miles
About 16 miles awayA walk up to the Fyrish Monument above EvantonBy car, about two and a half hours
About 19 miles awayThe winter geese at Nigg BayBy car, about three hours
About 20 miles awayCarrbridge's packhorse bridge and a pint at the Cairn HotelOn foot, about two hours
About 20 miles awayCarrbridge's packhorse bridge and the Carr Plantation walkBy car, about two and a half hours
About 20 miles awayLandmark and Loch Morlich with the kids and the dogBy car, about six hours
About 20 miles awayLandmark Forest Adventure Park and lunch in CarrbridgeOn foot, about three and a half hours
About 21 miles awayBrodie Castle and lunch in its Castle CaféOn foot, about three and a half hours
About 21 miles awayCoffee and cake at Logie Steading near ForresOn foot, about two hours
About 22 miles awayA walk to Plodda Falls by TomichBy car, about three hours
About 23 miles awayBalintore's play park and the mermaid, with the dogBy car, about three hours
About 23 miles awayThe Hill 99 Trail walk in Culbin ForestBy car, about two hours
About 23 miles awayPulpit Rock and Aldie Burn, two forest walks above TainBy car, about three and a half hours with both walks and lunch
About 23 miles awayA walk to Invermoriston Falls and Telford's old bridgeBy car, about half an hour
About 24 miles awayOspreys, Castle Roy and the old forest at Loch GartenA day by car, about 36 miles
About 24 miles awayThe Cairngorm Brewery and lunch at the Cairngorm HotelOn foot, about three hours
About 24 miles awayA walk round Sanquhar Loch in ForresOn foot, about two hours with lunch
About 25 miles awayA walk up Cluny Hill to Nelson's Tower in ForresOn foot, about two hours
About 25 miles awayThe steam train to Boat of Garten and a walk back to AviemoreOn foot, about four and a half hours
About 25 miles awayA walk up Craigellachie above AviemoreBy car, about two hours
About 25 miles awayThe Beachen Orange Trail walk at Grantown-on-SpeyBy car, about two hours
About 25 miles awaySpey Bank Studio and afternoon tea at the Boat Country InnBy car, about two and a half hours
About 25 miles awayThe Zip Trek at AlvieBy car, about three and a half hours
About 25 miles awayA floodlit night zip at AlvieBy car, about three and a half hours
About 25 miles awayA walk round Castle Roy and Abernethy Old KirkBy car, about two and a half hours
About 26 miles awayLoch Garten's red squirrels and old pinewoodBy car, about two and a half hours
About 26 miles awayBreakfast at Nethy House and the bridge at Nethy BridgeOn foot, about an hour and a half
About 26 miles awayThe Lettoch Trail walk up the River NethyOn foot, about three and a half hours
About 26 miles awayThe Broomhill Trail walk at Nethy BridgeOn foot, about three hours
About 26 miles awayAn evening by Findhorn Bay and a pint at the Kimberley InnOn foot, about two and a half hours
About 26 miles awayWinter birds on Findhorn BayBy car, about three hours
About 26 miles awayFindhorn Beach and lunch at the Captain's TableOn foot, about four hours
About 27 miles awayThe Lochside Loop walk at Kincraig on Loch InshBy car, about an hour
About 27 miles awayLoch an Eilein Castle and lunch at Ryvoan CaféBy car, about three and a half hours
About 27 miles awayThe Highland Wildlife Park's animalsBy car, about four hours
About 27 miles awayAviemore, Rothiemurchus and Glenmore: two lochs, the reindeer and Cairn GormA day by car, about 24 miles
About 27 miles awayA Day in the Cairngorms – Rothiemurchus & Glen MoreA day by car, about 11 miles
About 28 miles awayThe Allt na Criche Trail walk above Fort AugustusBy car, about an hour
About 28 miles awaySpending a Whole Day Around Loch NessA day by car, about 71 miles
About 28 miles awayThe Pictish stones of Easter RossA day by car, about 105 miles
About 28 miles awayThe Highland Folk Museum with the children and the dogBy car, about four hours
About 29 miles awayLoch Ness by RIB to Urquhart CastleOn foot, about three hours
About 29 miles awayA canal walk at Fort Augustus to Loch Ness and the PepperpotBy car, about an hour and 20 minutes
About 29 miles awayHot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain and Dornoch CathedralOn foot, about an hour and a half
About 29 miles awayA round at Royal DornochBy car, about five hours
About 29 miles awayThe Dornoch links and Embo walkOn foot, about four and a half hours
About 29 miles awayUath Lochans and Farleitter Crag walkBy car, an hour, or two and a half hours for both trails
About 29 miles awayThe Wildcat Trail walk round NewtonmoreBy car, about four hours
About 29 miles awayAn evening on Dornoch Beach and a dram at Dornoch CastleBy car, about three hours
About 29 miles awayDornoch Beach's play area and the Tarbat Discovery CentreBy car, about five hours
About 29 miles awayRuthven Barracks at sunset and supper in KingussieBy car, about two and a half hours
About 29 miles awayUath Lochans and lunch in KincraigBy car, about three hours
About 29 miles awayThe Invertromie Trail walk at Insh MarshesBy car, about two hours
About 29 miles awayLoch Morlich beach and lunch at the Allt Mor CaféOn foot, about two and a half hours
About 29 miles awayA walk to the Green Lochan on the Ryvoan TrailBy car, about two and a half hours
About 29 miles awayMeall a' Bhuachaille and lunch at the Winking OwlBy car, about six hours
About 29 miles awayThe Green Lochan with the dog and lunch at Route 7By car, about four hours
About 29 miles awayThe reindeer hill trip and lunch at the Pine Marten BarOn foot, about three and a half hours
About 30 miles awayA walk in Roseisle Forest and along its beachBy car, about an hour, or two for the Wildlife Walk
About 31 miles awayThe Burghead and Clarkly Hill walkBy car, about two and a half hours
About 31 miles awayThe Cairngorm Mountain Railway and Loch MorlichBy car, about five hours
About 32 miles awayDornoch and Loch FleetA day by car, about 94 miles
About 32 miles awayLoch Fleet's seals and wadersBy car, about two and a half hours
About 33 miles awayA walk to the Falls of Truim and the Centre of Scotland stoneBy car, about two and a half hours
About 33 miles awayHopeman beach walk to the Pagoda, with Clashach Cove beyondBy car, about an hour
About 33 miles awayHopeman and Clashach Cove with the dogOn foot, about three hours
About 34 miles awayA wild sauna on Hopeman East BeachOn foot, about three hours
About 34 miles awayA woodland walk at the Falls of Shin in Achany GlenBy car, about two hours
About 35 miles awayCorrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of MeasachBy car, about an hour and a half
About 35 miles awayDuffus Castle and a coffee at the Kula hutOn foot, about an hour and a half
About 35 miles awayThe Tomintoul Country Walk to Queen Victoria's ViewBy car, about three hours
About 35 miles awayThe flume and soft play at Moray Leisure CentreBy car, about three and a half hours
About 36 miles awayBen Bhraggie, above GolspieBy car, about four hours
About 36 miles awayA family swim at the Sutherland pool in GolspieBy car, about two hours
About 36 miles awayThe Big Burn walk at GolspieBy car, about two hours with lunch
About 36 miles awayElgin Cathedral and afternoon tea at Johnstons of ElginOn foot, about three and a half hours
About 36 miles awayElgin and Pluscarden: cathedral, mill and abbeyA day by car, about 13 miles
About 36 miles awayRaven's Rock Gorge walk at RosehallBy car, about an hour for both trails
About 36 miles awayDunrobin Castle and lunch in GolspieBy car, about three and a half hours
About 37 miles awayThe Gorge Trail walk at Lael Forest GardenBy car, about an hour
About 37 miles awayThe Glenmulliach Viewpoint walk near TomintoulBy car, about two hours
About 37 miles awayLinn Falls and lunch in AberlourBy car, about two and a half hoursNot every day out needs to be a big one. A castle and a café, a walk and lunch, a museum when it rains: one place, somewhere good to eat close by, and the time between worked out.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By train and on foot, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about five hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By bus and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By train and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two hours with lunch.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By Subway and train and on foot, about five hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By boat and on foot, about four hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By bus and on foot, about five hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By train and on foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By tram and on foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about four hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about five and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By bike, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about three hours with Nardini's.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about five hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By train and on foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.
By car, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about four hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

By car, about six hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours, with lunch.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about four hours.
Days out within an hour of where you are staying, nearest first.
Our writers’ own days out, from the places they know best.

A day by car, about 26 miles.

A day by car, about 110 miles.
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A few hours by car.
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A day by car, about 58 miles.
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A day on foot, about 3 miles.
The people we have met along the way, the makers, owners and writers, on the places they love most, in their own words.

“…stroll up to The Birks of Aberfeldy from The Memorial Arch, soaking up the woods and waterfalls that once inspired Rabbie Burns.”
Zanna Wilson, artist and gallerist who runs The Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, Perthshire

“My absolute favourite café with the best coffee in town.”
Lorna Freytag, artist and illustrator based in Oban, with a studio overlooking Oban Bay

“The best veggie and vegan breakfast around. Epic cakes and great coffee.”
Shelley Richmond, freelance photographer and creative based in Dervaig, Isle of Mull, who publishes The Isle of Mull Journal

“The breakfasts here are incredible.”
Karen Harvey, owner of Hoos and InHoos, two homeware shops on Great Western Road in Glasgow's West End

“We particularly love doing sections of the Fife Coastal Path, especially through the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie.”
Joy and Nick, own Airdit, a woodland treehouse stay above St Andrews, Fife

“A visit to the Falls of Foyers is a must.”
Anna Low, co-owns and runs Foyers Lodge, a small boutique hotel overlooking Loch Ness

“I’m a big fan of the Isle of Raasay Distillery.”
Katy Fennema, whisky Ambassador at the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, and runs Braemar Highland Experience with her husband Julian

“…amazing panoramas all the way up to the Old Man of Storr.”
Calum Gillies and Leonie, artist Calum Gillies and his wife Leonie run The Exchange, a gallery and coffee spot in the old telephone exchange at Clachan, Isle of Raasay

“The Nethy House Café is a regular spot for lunch or coffee.”
Sarah and Phil, run The Lazy Duck, an off-grid eco-holiday site with cabins, a bunkhouse and a campsite in Nethybridge, Cairngorms National Park

“I would definitely recommend Arthur’s seat in Holyrood Park.”
Kirsty Campbell, knitwear designer from Banchory, Deeside, behind RYVOAN, who knits in her Edinburgh studio

“…the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and Fairy Pools etc are all incredible natural wonders to see.”
Jennifer Pearson, jewellery designer and founder of ÒR, two creative retail stores in Portree, Isle of Skye

“Exploring the incredible beaches of Oldshoremore, Polin, Achmelvich, Sandwood Bay all within 30-40 minutes drive, all with their unique character.”
Catherine Sinclair, textile designer behind Cove*, who also runs Kylesku Lodges on the north-west coast

“Both are incredible ruined castles on the coastal cliffs and have such interesting history alongside spectacular views.”
Laura (Fernweh), designer and maker of waxed-canvas bags and accessories at Fernweh UK, with a studio at Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen

“Leith hall, Drum Castle and Crathes Castle gardens are all personal favourites.”
Hollie Berries, sustainable florist running Hollie Berries Flower Studio and Cutting Garden in Aberdeenshire

“Blackford Hill is my very favourite spot in Edinburgh.”
Emily Hogarth, papercut artist and illustrator who lives in East Lothian and works for Edinburgh clients, including Hidden Scotland's folklore illustrations

“…head down to the Harbour for Lobster & chips at either ‘The Rocketeer’ or ‘The Lobster Shack’.”
Stephanie Lothian, co-owns The Barn at Williamstone Farm Steadings, a holiday cottage in North Berwick
Two days and more: the days joined up, with somewhere to sleep between.








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Every day out has a Customise button: give it your own name and date, say where you are staying, move or drop a stop, and keep it in your account to share with whoever is coming.