A Day in Inverness
A day on foot, from Inverness Castle to Hootananny.
Written by Graeme Johncock
Inverness is the “Capital of the Scottish Highlands”, and it’s sat at an important junction of roads and routes for centuries. From here you can travel in a number of directions, but there’s a lot to be said for staying right where you are. It’s one of the most historic spots in Scotland, and I love getting the chance to spend a whole day in Inverness.
Pick your dates, and who is coming, and every stop will say whether it is open that day, and what it is like with children, a dog or a wheelchair.
- How
- A day on foot
- Distance
- About 3 miles
- Starts
- Inverness Castle
- Ends
- Hootananny
- Good for
- Food and drink, Castles, History, A rainy day
Book before you go
0 of 1 booked
Accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Newhall Mains in Balblair, 13 miles away.
Worth booking aheadInverness Castle: it's the day's last stop, so book a timed slot for about 3pm (last entry is 4pm from October to March and 5pm from April to September). Online is the best price and a sure place; at the door you may wait for the next free slot, and a missed slot needs a new ticket.
The day
Inverness Castle
An attraction
Starting the day at the city’s high point, Inverness Castle’s history stretches back around 1000 years! Built by Malcolm Canmore to stamp his authority on the Highlands, it’s seen its fair share of conflict. In the 1400s, King James I invited the Highland Chiefs to a parliament before having them all arrested. In the 1500s, the castle was stormed by Mary Queen of Scots’ men against rebels who had locked the gates. The later fort was then destroyed by the Jacobites! The castle we have today is a Victorian reconstruction and is currently being transformed into a visitor attraction. While you might not be able to get inside the building, the vantage point still offers the perfect view across the River Ness to start the day.
The rest of this day is for members.
8 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
An attraction
Ness Islands
An attraction
Inverness Cathedral
An attraction
The Mustard Seed
Food and drink
Old High Church
An attraction
Leakey's Bookshop
An attraction
The Victorian Market
An attraction
Hootananny
An attraction
Places to stay near where the day ends, and when each is next free.
Make it a weekend
Days that start near Hootananny.
More days by Graeme
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