Cidade Turismo
the United Kingdom

Before you go

Your trip to Inverness.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Inverness – Escócia Destination Highlands and the Ilha de Skye about 250 km from Edimburgo

How to get there

  • Inverness Airport (INV) Dalcross · 15 km
  • Inverness railway station 1 km
  • Inverness Bus Station 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The airport, 15 km away, has flights from London and other UK cities. By train, Inverness is about 3h30 from Edinburgh and about 3h15 from Glasgow; the Caledonian Sleeper departs overnight from London Euston. The station is in the centre.

How many days

Two days: one for Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and another for Culloden, Fort George and the town centre. With three days you have time for a trip to the Spey valley distilleries or further north.

When to go

From May to September, with long days and lake cruises. In June daylight lasts until near 11pm. In winter it's cold, days are short and some attractions have reduced opening hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

You don't need a car for the town, which is walkable. For Loch Ness there are buses and cruises; for Fort George and touring the Highlands a car helps. Drive on the left, and many roads in the area are single-track with passing places.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Inverness
  1. Morning
    Loch Ness

    Follow the A82 to Urquhart Castle, or take a cruise departing from Inverness.

  2. Afternoon
    Culloden

    Return via Culloden to the visitor centre and the walk across the moor, with a stop at the Clava Cairns.

  3. Late afternoon
    River Ness

    Walk along the River Ness to the Ness Islands.

  4. Evening
    Traditional music

    Dine in the centre and look for a pub with traditional Scottish music.

2 days in Inverness

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cruise on the loch

    Cruise on Loch Ness with a stop at Urquhart Castle.

  2. Afternoon
    Drumnadrochit and Dores

    Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit and return along the south shore, with Dores beach.

  3. Late afternoon
    Ness Islands

    Walk around the Ness Islands along the river.

  4. Evening
    Centre

    Dinner in Inverness city centre.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Culloden and Clava

    Culloden at the start and the Clava Cairns.

  2. Afternoon
    Fort George

    Fort George, with the ramparts overlooking the Moray Firth.

  3. Late afternoon
    Castle

    Inverness Castle and the view from the tower.

  4. Evening
    Pub

    Last night in a city-centre pub before heading to Fort William or Skye.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Inverness a good base for Loch Ness?

Yes — the northern end of the loch is about 10 km away, and cruises and tours depart from the centre.

How to get from Edinburgh to Inverness?

By train, about 3h30; by coach or car, roughly 250 km via the A9.

Can you get to Skye from Inverness?

Yes — by car it's about 180 km, passing Eilean Donan Castle. There are also buses and organised tours.

Does Inverness have an airport?

Yes — about 15 km from the centre, with flights from London and other UK cities.

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