Inverness city guide and sightseeing         

Summary
Capital of the Highlands, this pretty, historic city spans the banks of the River Ness between Moray Firth and Loch Ness, ensuring a steady stream of monster-seeking tourists. It dates back to the 6th century and history buffs can visit sights such as the Old High Church which has a tower dating back to medieval times, riverside St Andrew’s Cathedral and the imposing 19th century Inverness Castle. So book a last minute hotel with a Scottish feel at LateBreakHotels.com.

Believers can tour Loch Ness in search of the elusive ‘Nessie’ while the more realistic can go bottle nose dolphin watching. Unsurprisingly more visitors see those!

Getting there/around Inverness
Inverness Airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre and is serviced by daily flights from most major cities in the UK, as well as the smaller airports of the Highlands and surrounding islands. Inverness is roughly three hours from Edinburgh by road and nine hours from London. There are direct sleeper train services from London and you can also take a scenic train to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye.

The city centre is compact enough to explore by foot, and there are local bus services to surrounding areas.

Sightseeing in Inverness
Whether or not you believe in the legend of the Loch Ness monster, there’s no way you can come all this way and not enjoy a tour around this picturesque lake. Or soak up the beauty of Inverness itself on the city’s circular walk which starts from the castle and takes you along the river bank past some of the city’s nine churches and through to the Ness Islands. Alternatively head up to Craig Phadrig above the city where there are some lovely forest walks.

Further afield you can take a day trip to the scenic Isle of Skye, explore the well-preserved 18th century Fort George or indulge in a drop of local wine at the Highland Wineries at Moniack Castle. Glen Affric is reputed to be the most beautiful glen in Scotland and it’s less than an hour’s drive from Inverness.

Inverness family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences         

Family activities in Inverness
Take the family out to see the dolphins: Inverness Dolphin Cruises offers boat trips to Inner Moray Firth in the summer months, departing from Shore Street Quay. Alternatively, head to Cromarty, half an hour outside of Inverness, and take a boat trip to see dolphins and seals in the Cromarty Firth.

Jacobite is just one tour company offering cruises around Loch Ness, with a day trip around this famous lake providing a great chance for the children to try to spot Nessie. Failing that, visit the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition at Drumnadrochit, or just enjoy the loch’s spectacular natural surroundings and the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Back on dry land, Kincraig Wildlife Park in the Highlands is one to visit while Landmark, in Carrbridge, 23 miles south of Inverness, is an adventure forest theme park with rope bridges and sky dives among many other attractions, that is destined to thrill the kids.

Day trips around Inverness
Head to Nairn, a seaside town about 16 miles east of Inverness on the Moray Firth whose long, sandy stretches have won awards from the Tidy Britain Group. With play areas, tea rooms and clean waters there is a choice of two beaches in particular; try the Blue Flag-awarded Central Beach.

As the Moray Firth is home to a colony of dolphins, bring a pair of binoculars and see if you can spot them from the shoreline. Culbin Sands Nature Reserve, further along the coastline, is home to migratory birds and has a huge shingle and sand-dune bar.

Shopping in Inverness
Souvenir hunters should start off in the city’s Old Town, where kilts and local arts and crafts works can be picked up. There is a variety of boutique-type stores here, all good for browsing around in.

James Pringle Weavers, in the High Street, is the place to head to for all your tartan and cashmere gear, while book lovers will be thrilled with Leakey’s second-hand bookshop at the end of Church Street. The shop is part of a huge Gaelic church and has a café and big, open fire, leaving you free to relax, read and soak up the warm atmosphere.

For big-name retail stores, venture to Eastgate Shopping Centre on the High Street, where there are 60 stores, restaurants, and parking spaces.

Inverness restaurants and nightlife        

Eating out in Inverness
Salmon and venison, Gaelic whisky and traditional Highland cheeses will be on the menu in many of the restaurants in Inverness. Among the stylish places to dine out here is the Mustard Seed Restaurant next to the River Ness, the Harlequin, and the Rocpool Rendezvous restaurant.

On the first Saturday of every month there is usually a farmer’s market on Inverness High Street, providing a great introduction to the best local produce of the area, including haggis, Cranachan and Arbroath smokies (smoked fish). For a local tipple pop into the city’s Castle Tavern or visit Moniack Castle for wines, liqueurs, various preserves and sauces, such as Inverness sauce. There is also a good range of bistros, bars and pubs around the city, as well as restaurants catering for international tastes with Indian and Mexican food on the menu.

Nightlife in Inverness
If clubbing is your thing, try Bakoo, Barbazza or G’s nightclub, the longest-running club in town. Motion is the major dance music venue here, while the Ironworks is a live music venue along Academy Street, where bands including Primal Scream and Kasabian have played.

The redevelopment of Eden Court Theatre in 2007 is due to see it become the biggest multi-arts centre across the region, offering music, drama, dance and comedy. It’s definitely worth checking listings guides to see what’s on at night here.

For a bit of traditional Scottish entertainment, try Hootananny, on the corner of Church and Bank Street, where live bands play and real ales are served up across three bars of this award-winning venue.