Guidebook for Highland
Food Scene
Good chef cooked food at a good price. I recommend the early evening menu (order before 7) as it is a very similar menu at a better price.
141 locals recommend
The Mustard Seed Restaurant
16 Fraser StGood chef cooked food at a good price. I recommend the early evening menu (order before 7) as it is a very similar menu at a better price.
Rocpool
1 Ness WalkExcellent food and service.
The WaterFront
70 Huntly StGood sized portions of typical pub grub.
Velocity
1 Crown AveFor those interested in an eco café it is worth the walk up the hill.
Excellent carvery and salads. Worth the wait in the queue (and there is usually a queue because it is good).
55 locals recommend
The Storehouse
Excellent carvery and salads. Worth the wait in the queue (and there is usually a queue because it is good).
Cafe One
75 Castle StExcellent Food
River House
1 Greig StLovely restaurant. Specialising is fish.
My kids love it. Basically, no seating but its walkable from the B&B and on the route back from most of the eateries in town.
18 locals recommend
Miele's Gelateria Inverness
92 Church StMy kids love it. Basically, no seating but its walkable from the B&B and on the route back from most of the eateries in town.
Standard Pizza Express menu but I have always found it to be good service.
15 locals recommend
Pizza Express
Falcon SquareStandard Pizza Express menu but I have always found it to be good service.
Pepperoni Speciale
18 Tomnahurich StGood pizzas and a dedicated area for kids to amuse themselves
It has a good selection of chef cooked food at a good price. There is an early evening menu up to 7, the food is just as good but it is a bit cheaper.
75 locals recommend
The Kitchen Restaurant
15 Huntly StIt has a good selection of chef cooked food at a good price. There is an early evening menu up to 7, the food is just as good but it is a bit cheaper.
Drinks & Nightlife
Hootananny
67 Church StLive Scottish music every evening on the ground floor.
A wide selection of locally produced pints (from the Black Isle Brewery) and fantastic pizzas.
61 locals recommend
Black Isle Bar and Rooms
68 Church StA wide selection of locally produced pints (from the Black Isle Brewery) and fantastic pizzas.
Parks & Nature
A mini-mini Kew Gardens in the far north. An indoor tropical house, a cactus house, outdoor gardens planted in different styles. Good place for kids to run about. When finished you can get a drink etc from the adjacent cafe.
42 locals recommend
Inverness Botanic Gardens
Bught LaneA mini-mini Kew Gardens in the far north. An indoor tropical house, a cactus house, outdoor gardens planted in different styles. Good place for kids to run about. When finished you can get a drink etc from the adjacent cafe.
Dores is at the north end of Loch Ness. The Dores Inn beer garden (with an outside bar in season) has excellent views of the loch and is on the beach so kids can do their thing. Good food too.
74 locals recommend
The Dores Inn
Dores is at the north end of Loch Ness. The Dores Inn beer garden (with an outside bar in season) has excellent views of the loch and is on the beach so kids can do their thing. Good food too.
Lovely falls. Bit of a walk down (and worse going up) so good to burn off some energy but not good if mobility is an issue.
49 locals recommend
Rogie Falls
A835Lovely falls. Bit of a walk down (and worse going up) so good to burn off some energy but not good if mobility is an issue.
Nice falls (with not too much walking). Nice cafe adjacent to the car park. A nice drive in itself and a good spot to stop if driving all around the loch.
47 locals recommend
Falls of Foyers
45 B852Nice falls (with not too much walking). Nice cafe adjacent to the car park. A nice drive in itself and a good spot to stop if driving all around the loch.
The monument is a long and tiring walk but fantastic views on a clear day. Treat yourself to lunch at the Storehouse of Foulis afterwards, you will have earned it.
49 locals recommend
Fyrish Monument
The monument is a long and tiring walk but fantastic views on a clear day. Treat yourself to lunch at the Storehouse of Foulis afterwards, you will have earned it.
Eathie Beach is on the south coast of the Black Isle. It is a good 20-30 mins walk down a trail from the small parking area. As such it is ‘underutilised’ or if you prefer ‘unspoilt’. I’m recommending it as a half day out as you are on the Black Isle and the beach is popular with fossil hunters. Note: due to the walk you are not recommend to take the usual beach accoutrements and there is virtually nothing man made there, so go for the ice-cream treat once back in the car.
Eathie Hill
Eathie Beach is on the south coast of the Black Isle. It is a good 20-30 mins walk down a trail from the small parking area. As such it is ‘underutilised’ or if you prefer ‘unspoilt’. I’m recommending it as a half day out as you are on the Black Isle and the beach is popular with fossil hunters. Note: due to the walk you are not recommend to take the usual beach accoutrements and there is virtually nothing man made there, so go for the ice-cream treat once back in the car.
A nice drive through the Highlands takes you to a beautiful location. You could stop and take a picture but better to take a walk. A good half day or longer trip.
River Affric
A nice drive through the Highlands takes you to a beautiful location. You could stop and take a picture but better to take a walk. A good half day or longer trip.
A variety of walks. There is a board in the car park so you can decide on which one to walk when you get there.
Culloden Forest
A variety of walks. There is a board in the car park so you can decide on which one to walk when you get there.
Basically a nice walk, on a well-maintained path with some rather large trees (with signage). My mother managed it in her 80s. Good way for youngsters to burn off some energy but not too long.
13 locals recommend
Reelig Glen
Basically a nice walk, on a well-maintained path with some rather large trees (with signage). My mother managed it in her 80s. Good way for youngsters to burn off some energy but not too long.
A good park for families. Equipment suitable for various ages including the younger ones. There is a boating pond with boats to rent. There is also (seasonal) a ride on train. It is close to the river so you can have a seat on the riverbank if you want. There is an ice cream shop adjacent to the car park (seasonal) or it is a short walk to the Floral hall which has a coffee shop year-round. Not suitable for ball games.
9 locals recommend
Whin Park Boating Pond
A good park for families. Equipment suitable for various ages including the younger ones. There is a boating pond with boats to rent. There is also (seasonal) a ride on train. It is close to the river so you can have a seat on the riverbank if you want. There is an ice cream shop adjacent to the car park (seasonal) or it is a short walk to the Floral hall which has a coffee shop year-round. Not suitable for ball games.
A good park with equipment suitable for various ages including the very young. Adjacent to a park so suitable for a frisbee or a kick about. No shops/ice cream nearby.
Fraser Park station
A good park with equipment suitable for various ages including the very young. Adjacent to a park so suitable for a frisbee or a kick about. No shops/ice cream nearby.
Lots of plants in this park and a play area good for the younger ones, not good for young teens. It has a very small paddling pool. Seasonal ice cream shop. The latter portion of the park has 6 tennis courts open to anyone.
23 locals recommend
Bellfield Park
Lots of plants in this park and a play area good for the younger ones, not good for young teens. It has a very small paddling pool. Seasonal ice cream shop. The latter portion of the park has 6 tennis courts open to anyone.
Not a spectacular destination but a nice walk. Go to the upstream end of the upstream island and have a seat to watch the river. I recommend a walk upstream from the castle, over the islands and downstream back to the B&B. Or go a bit further to the Floral hall for a look-see and/or a cuppa in their café.
42 locals recommend
Ness Islands
Great Glen WayNot a spectacular destination but a nice walk. Go to the upstream end of the upstream island and have a seat to watch the river. I recommend a walk upstream from the castle, over the islands and downstream back to the B&B. Or go a bit further to the Floral hall for a look-see and/or a cuppa in their café.
A ride on train (seasonal) takes you around a landscaped park. The young(ish) ones will love it
9 locals recommend
Ness Islands Railway
Bught RoadA ride on train (seasonal) takes you around a landscaped park. The young(ish) ones will love it
The UK tallest hill. You can set off first thing in the morning and ‘conquer’ The Ben and be back in Inverness for your evening meal. Definitely not for the unprepared. Do not do it on a whim, do not do it without the appropriate equipment. Depending on your start point - there is a track (of varying quality) all the way to the top. Fantastic views at the top (if not in cloud).
133 locals recommend
Ben Nevis
The UK tallest hill. You can set off first thing in the morning and ‘conquer’ The Ben and be back in Inverness for your evening meal. Definitely not for the unprepared. Do not do it on a whim, do not do it without the appropriate equipment. Depending on your start point - there is a track (of varying quality) all the way to the top. Fantastic views at the top (if not in cloud).
Sightseeing
The castle is mostly not there, but you get some great views of Loch Ness. See the movie in the visitor centre before you head outside.
191 locals recommend
Urquhart Castle
The castle is mostly not there, but you get some great views of Loch Ness. See the movie in the visitor centre before you head outside.
Who hasn't heard of Loch Ness? Even if you don’t see Nessie it's worth the drive. If you have the time do a circuit of the whole loch - easily a day trip if you stop along the way.
277 locals recommend
Loch Ness
Who hasn't heard of Loch Ness? Even if you don’t see Nessie it's worth the drive. If you have the time do a circuit of the whole loch - easily a day trip if you stop along the way.
Excellent, intact fort. Built after the Battle of Culloden, but not needed by the time of its completion, it is still an active army unit. Multiple things to see, good views of the Black Isle and the chance to see dolphins.
93 locals recommend
Fort George
Excellent, intact fort. Built after the Battle of Culloden, but not needed by the time of its completion, it is still an active army unit. Multiple things to see, good views of the Black Isle and the chance to see dolphins.
A significant point in the countries history. A good new visitors centre.
259 locals recommend
Culloden Battlefield station
A significant point in the countries history. A good new visitors centre.
The castle isn’t really a castle – it was built as a Court of Law and is still being used for this purpose. However, the viewpoint has good views of the area (on a clear day). If the weather is poor or you are on a tight budget just have a look around the outside.
127 locals recommend
Inverness Castle
The castle isn’t really a castle – it was built as a Court of Law and is still being used for this purpose. However, the viewpoint has good views of the area (on a clear day). If the weather is poor or you are on a tight budget just have a look around the outside.
Fantastic castle. Lovely gardens (going through a transition) with a croquet lawn. The Bird of Prey display is a MUST SEE. Take your camera – sit at the front opposite the perch or front row at the very end.
80 locals recommend
Dunrobin Castle
Fantastic castle. Lovely gardens (going through a transition) with a croquet lawn. The Bird of Prey display is a MUST SEE. Take your camera – sit at the front opposite the perch or front row at the very end.
The viaduct is scenic in itself (best from a distance as the construction is concrete) but iconic as the viaduct seen in the Harry Potter movies. From the same car park, you can visit the Glenfinnan Monument, marking the point the Bonnie Prince Charlie came ashore in 1745. If you continue on to Mallaig it is a lovely drive and you might notice the island that Dumbledore was buried on.
131 locals recommend
Glenfinnan Viaduct View Point
A830 RdThe viaduct is scenic in itself (best from a distance as the construction is concrete) but iconic as the viaduct seen in the Harry Potter movies. From the same car park, you can visit the Glenfinnan Monument, marking the point the Bonnie Prince Charlie came ashore in 1745. If you continue on to Mallaig it is a lovely drive and you might notice the island that Dumbledore was buried on.
Fantastic castle. Been in many a movie, including: Highlander, The World Is Not Enough (James Bond), Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Rob Roy, Entrapment. Worth the drive from Inverness. Could tie in a visit to Skye which is about another 10 miles further.
102 locals recommend
Eilean Donan Castle
Fantastic castle. Been in many a movie, including: Highlander, The World Is Not Enough (James Bond), Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Rob Roy, Entrapment. Worth the drive from Inverness. Could tie in a visit to Skye which is about another 10 miles further.
A nice drive along the south coast of the Black Isle will take you to Chanonry Point. I good place to view the Moray Firth and a chance to see dolphins.
87 locals recommend
Chanonry Point Holiday Cottage
Ness RoadA nice drive along the south coast of the Black Isle will take you to Chanonry Point. I good place to view the Moray Firth and a chance to see dolphins.
I love old stuff and I love built stuff. Orkney is unbelievable. You might just end up passing a 12 century cathedral and a site of Viking significance, then around a Neolithic village enroute to your destination – a UNESCO Word Heritage site 1,000 years older than the pyrimds at Giza. Days trips start at the bus station (in season) or you can drive/ferry or fly.
6 locals recommend
Orkney
I love old stuff and I love built stuff. Orkney is unbelievable. You might just end up passing a 12 century cathedral and a site of Viking significance, then around a Neolithic village enroute to your destination – a UNESCO Word Heritage site 1,000 years older than the pyrimds at Giza. Days trips start at the bus station (in season) or you can drive/ferry or fly.
A local company offering a variety of tours (boat, boat/bus, bus/boat) centred on the world renowned Loch Ness, so perhaps your best chance to see Nessie. There is a variety of tour lengths and a number of different pick up and drop off points.
57 locals recommend
Jacobite Cruises
Margaret StreetA local company offering a variety of tours (boat, boat/bus, bus/boat) centred on the world renowned Loch Ness, so perhaps your best chance to see Nessie. There is a variety of tour lengths and a number of different pick up and drop off points.
Entertainment & Activities
A nice sized indoor kart track. Good option on a rainy day.
25 locals recommend
Inverness Kart Raceway
Sir Walter Scott DriveA nice sized indoor kart track. Good option on a rainy day.
Its not Disneyland but it is local. Set in the midst of a forest there are lots of activities for all ages – waterslides, climbing, jumps, treetop trails and a small rollercoaster. There is a tree top walk with an extremely high chance you will see red squirrels. There is a fire tower with good views of the area at the top. The Bamboozeleum is full of optical illusions. There is a butterfly house, a maze, a shooting gallery etc. The food is well priced for a tourist attraction. I use the burger bar rather than the restaurant as the service is much quicker.
161 locals recommend
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
B9153Its not Disneyland but it is local. Set in the midst of a forest there are lots of activities for all ages – waterslides, climbing, jumps, treetop trails and a small rollercoaster. There is a tree top walk with an extremely high chance you will see red squirrels. There is a fire tower with good views of the area at the top. The Bamboozeleum is full of optical illusions. There is a butterfly house, a maze, a shooting gallery etc. The food is well priced for a tourist attraction. I use the burger bar rather than the restaurant as the service is much quicker.
Arts & Culture
Eden Court is the main theatre and entertainment venue for the Highlands. It is alongside the river and there is always a packed agenda of performances. See box office for details.
161 locals recommend
Eden Court Inverness
Bishops RoadEden Court is the main theatre and entertainment venue for the Highlands. It is alongside the river and there is always a packed agenda of performances. See box office for details.