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The most northerly.
Inverness's are the most northerly botanic gardens in the UK.
Inverness
Inverness Botanic Gardens
The most northerly botanic gardens in the UK, by the River Ness in Inverness, with a tropical house, a cactus house, outdoor gardens and a café.
Welcome
On the edge of Inverness, by the River Ness and a short walk from the Ness Islands, are the most northerly botanic gardens in Britain.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
Outside there are colourful borders and planting chosen to show how different plants cope with different conditions; inside are two glasshouses.
The tropical house is lush and warm, a jungle of palms, banana leaves and climbers around a tiered stone fountain, with a small stair and a white statue half hidden in the green, and a pond where goldfish drift under the leaves. Next door, the cactus house is dry and bright, full of tall, woolly-white cacti, spiky agaves and aloes among the rocks.
It is a lovely place on a grey day, and good for children. Afterwards, Café Botanics serves cakes and coffee among the plants. The gardens are run by High Life Highland.
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Before you go
The gardens and café are run by High Life Highland; check their site for the season's opening times.
- Where
- Bught Lane, Inverness, IV3 5SS.
- Inside
- A tropical house and a cactus house.
- Café
- Café Botanics.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Tuesday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Wednesday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Thursday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Friday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Saturday
- 9.30am–4pm
- Sunday
- 9.30am–4pm
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Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
Goldfish in the jungle.
A pond in the tropical house is home to goldfish.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Inverness-shire
These are the most northerly botanic gardens in Britain, close to the Ness Islands on the edge of the city, and they are a treat on a grey day. The tropical house is warm and green, a jungle of palms and banana leaves around a tiered stone fountain, with goldfish drifting in the pond. Next door, the cactus house is dry and bright, full of tall, woolly cacti, spiky agaves and aloes. Outside there are colourful borders, and Café Botanics serves coffee and cake among the plants. Children love it.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Inverness, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in InvernessWhere it is
On Bught Lane by the River Ness, near the Ness Islands, IV3 5SS.
Close byInverness.
Jacobite Loch Ness CruisesUnder a mile 2 min by road
Whin ParkA family park by the River Ness in Inverness, with a boating pond, a big adventure playpark, a miniature railway and a café.Under a mile 2 min by road
Eden Court Theatre and CinemaTheatre and film along the river.Under a mile 4 min by road
Inverness CathedralThe red sandstone cathedral on the riverbank.1 mile 5 min by road
St Andrew's CathedralSt Andrew's, a Scottish Episcopal cathedral, was the first Protestant cathedral built in Great Britain after the Reformation1 mile 5 min by road
River Ness WalkThe riverside walk and the Ness Islands nearby.1 mile 6 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the gardens, and when each is next free.
Garden Cottage- Sleeps 6
- In Dores
- 5 miles from the Botanic Gardens
Ivy Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Dores
- 5 miles from the Botanic Gardens
South Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Inverness
- 5 miles from the Botanic Gardens
Gatehouse Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Dores
- 5 miles from the Botanic Gardens
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .