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Inverness
Capital of the Scottish Highlands
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More info about Inverness
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City Sightseeing Guide
About the City - Historic Buildings - Shopping - Where to Eat - Books & Maps
General Info
Capital of the Highlands, Inverness is an excellent touring base with good road, rail and air connections (see transport details and map).
If you stay in the city you can do lots of Day Trips, Coach Tours & Boat Cruises.
With its suspension bridges across the River Ness and old stone
buildings, it is a pretty place which is well-known for its floral displays (frequently a winner of awards in the Bloom of Britain competitions). In December 2000, it was one of only 3 towns to be awarded city status by the Queen.
Walk down along the river banks (in the direction of the Caledonian Canal) and you'll find the Ness Islands where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the shops.
Cross the river on the little bridges and you can visit Bught Park. Close by you will find
the Floral Hall - a sub-tropical horticultural extravaganza with small waterfall, fish and alsorts of plants/trees (open all year round).
Small admission charge. I particularly like the cactus hall - quite a surprise!
Not far from here is the ice rink and the Inverness Leisure centre (with swimming pool, gym, climbing wall, etc.)
Walking up the river in the other direction (towards the harbour) you will see Ben Wyvis on the skyline (as seen in the photo below).
The Tourist Information Office is located on Bridge Street up some steps overlooking the road (ramp for disabled access). This includes a bureau de change, booking office for Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, gift shop, and accommodation booking service.
Plus Internet access on 2 PC terminals
Inverness has an excellent Museum and Art gallery between the castle and the tourist office. Open 10am-5pm, Monday-Saturday all year. Includes gift shop and coffee shop.
Inverness Public Library is situated near the bus station.
The Highlands and Islands Archivist Robert Steward and Genealogist Alistair MacLeod may be able to help you with historical or ancestry research but it is advisable to contact them in advance of your arrival - phone 01463 220 330 / fax 01463 711 128 - contacts and archive details.
If you are thinking of moving to Inverness or the Highland Region - visit the living/working in Scotland web page which provides links for finding jobs, houses, etc.
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Eden Court Theatre, situated near the cathedral, is the venue for shows, music and cinema.
Originally built in the 1970s, the building incorporates part of the old Bishop's Palace and is said to be haunted by the 'Green Lady' ghost of a wife of one of the bishop's who hanged herself there.
The other place to see films (movies) is at the Vue multi-screen cinema complex just outside city centre at the retail park off the main road heading to Aberdeen.
Lots of events take place every year throughout Inverness and the Highland region - click here for the Inverness events calendar.
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Internet access is available at:
- The Tourist Information Office on Bridge Street (which has access via 2 computers)
- Inverness Library (free 30-minute slots bookable in advance)
- 'Mailboxes' next to the railway station
- 'Fun Factory' (amusement arcade and Internet cafe) in the alley at the back of Woolworths
- The laundrette in Young Street (opposite Tesco) across the bridge from the Castle
- McDonalds (High Street) offers wi-fi access.
Sport and Outdoor Activities
There are plenty of opportunities for sports and outdoor activities in Inverness and the Highlands (see separate lists for specific regions such as the Cairngorm mountains).
OutdoorInverness is the web site of local activity providers in the Inverness Outdoor Network and includes details of activities available in the region including walking, watersports, paintballing, skiing, horse riding, etc.
Also see the outdoor activity operators list in The Internet Guide to Scotland for more companies in the area.
Tiso Inverness Outdoor Experience is a huge shop on the Longman estate which has an 18 ft climbing wall, plus large range of hire equipment and bikes.
The port of Inverness is mainly commercial, but has a small yacht haven. If you need equipment, then Caley Marina is the chandlery on Canal Road.
The Caledonian Canal is very popular with yachts and barges (see boat trip links). It stretches some 60 miles from Inverness via Loch Ness to Fort William. You can walk and cycle along the towpath in Inverness.
Historic Buildings
Inverness Castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress in 1835 and sits on a low cliff overlooking the river. Today it houses the Sherriff's Court. Take Castle Street which winds its way up around the rear of the castle
and past some pretty floral displays to get to the statue of Flora MacDonald.
Please note the castle is not open to the public as a tourist attraction (it is in fact the sheriff court).
It is thought that 11th-century castle which featured in Shakepeare's play Macbeth (even though there is no historical evidence to suggest that it was where Duncan I was murdered) was in fact located to the east of the present castle (in what is now Auldcastle Road). Originally built of wood, it was replaced by a fortress of stone on Castle Hill. Apparently there have been sightings of the ghost of King Duncan walking along the banks of the River Ness in full regalia.
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On the opposite bank of the river is Saint Andrew's Cathedral (minus its spires as
the funds ran out before they could be completed). The font is a copy of
Thorwalden's font in Copenhagen Cathedral. Look out for the Russian gold icons.
Concerts and organ recitals are held.
The teashop in the old schoolhouse is
open Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 3.30pm in the summer months.
From here you
can walk down the river banks and explore the Ness Islands.
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There are many old houses in the city centre dating from the 16th and 17th
centuries. Built in 1791, the Steeple on the corner of Bridge Street and Church
Street used to be the steeple of the old jail. Opposite, on the corner of Bridge
Street and Castle Street is the Town House, an interesting 19th century
Gothic-style building
(click here for a photo of the Town House at Christmas). Although it is used as local government offices, you can have a little look around - go inside and admire the fancy staircase.
Cromwell's Clock Tower in Shore Street is all that remains of the large citadel
built between 1652 and 1657 by Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth Army. Now part of the ever expanding industrial estate.
Shopping
The Eastgate Shopping Centre right in the heart of the city includes Marks and Spencer's department store, The Body Shop, Next,
Thorntons (chocolates & toffees), HMV (music & videos), Boots (pharmacy, photography), Starbucks Coffee shop, Argos, card shops, clothes stores, jewellers, etc. On the upper floor there's a large ornamental clock with lots of animated animals to keep the children amused when it chimes. Outside the shopping centre you can find a branch of the health food chain Holland and Barrett.
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Eastgate II (the new part of the shopping centre) opened in 2003. It includes Debenhams, Laura Ashley, Monsoon, other clothes shops, fast food outlets, Waterstones bookshop, etc.
Entertainment often takes place in Falcon Square on Saturdays during the summer.
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On Academy Street, take a look at the indoor Victorian Market which has shops selling Belgian chocolates, jewellery, needlework, toys, clothes, Scottish souvenirs, and Heraldic Art & Design which offers coats of arms, family crests, etc.
If you are interested in old/second-hand books, old maps and antique prints,
then check out Leakeys in the old Greyfriars Hall. When you stand
on the steps of the Tourist Office, opposite you will see Church Street (running
parallel to the river). Walk down the left-hand side and keep going to the end of the street. There at the
junction with Friar's Lane is the second largest collection of second-hand and rare
books in Scotland. Well worth a visit. Nice cafe in the top level (up the spiral staircase).
Telephone 01463 239 947.
Also in Church Street is The Riverdale Centre which has an organic cafe and organic shop, and also offers complementary therapies.
At number 20 Baron Taylor's Street you'll find a good health food shop.
For new books, visit Waterstones in the Eastgate shopping centre.
And don't forget W.H. Smith in High Street - go into the basement for books and music.
For Scottish music, also check out the music shop and Hootananny which are both in Church Street.
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If you walk down Bridge Street (past the steps to the tourist office) towards the river, you will find
Judith Glue's shop which has great gifts, foodstuffs, cards, crafts and clothes from Orkney. Nearby is The Whisky Shop and some tartan shops too.
Cross the bridge over the river, and you will see the Highland House of Fraser (formerly known as Hector Russell Kiltmakers) - a great shop for kilts and tartan with a bureau de change. There's also
a video and history exhibition plus kilt making demonstrations in the visitor centre. The shop includes the Inverness webcam.
In Young Street (which continues straight on from the bridge), there's a laundrette (with Internet terminal) on the left and a small branch of the Tesco supermarket on the right.
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Balnain House at 40 Huntly Street (further up from the kilt shop) used to be the Home of Highland Music but was forced to close some years ago.
To visit the James Pringle Weavers Clan Tartan Centre you need to be back on the castle side of the river.
Follow the river past the Ness Islands until you reach Dores Road (just to give you an idea of distance - on the opposite side of the river is the ice rink - so quite a long way to walk). Follow the signs to the 'Holm Mills Shopping Village'. There is a shop with knitwear, kilts, tartans, cashmere, whisky, etc. plus a restaurant. Weaving exhibition and demonstrations. Open daily. Telephone 01463 22 33 11. Part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill chain. If you don't wish to walk, you can take the CitySightseeing bus (summer only).
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At the rear of Inverness Castle, in Castle Street, visit John Graham & Co for outdoor clothing, fishing & shooting equipment and such like. Also in the same street is Chisholms which have a large selection of kilts and other tartan goods.
In the Crown area (just up from Stephen's Brae) you will find The Drawing Room in Kingsmills Road. The shop has a wide range of gifts for adults and children including jewellery, toys, table linen, soaps, glass gifts, Harris Tweed bags and accessories.
Out of town shopping includes the retail park on the A96 to Nairn/Aberdeen. This features a 24-hour Tesco supermarket, Borders bookshop / music store, Boots, etc. Other major stores (furniture, electrical goods, clothes, etc.) can be found in 3 other locations around the city: Carsegate, Inshes and the Longman estate.
For a list of shops in the main shopping streets of Inverness, visit www.high.st/inverness/
Where to eat and drink
There is a full range of cuisine available in Inverness from award-winning restaurants (including French, Italian and Indian) to the ubiquitous MacDonalds.
Also try La Tortilla Asesina - a Spanish restaurant / tapas bar on Castle Street
For something to suit all, try Girvan's Restaurant which is near the Holland and Barrett health food shop opposite the shopping centre in Eastgate. It has a varied lunch and dinner menu with excellent food and is good value for money. They also serve tea and cakes. Open 9am - 10pm.
Next door to Girvans, is Les Délices de Bretagne French crêperie and restaurant on Stephen's Brae. The daytime menu includes sandwiches, salads, pastries and authentic crêpes, etc.
Also try Pazzo's for pizza and pasta by the bridge opposite the castle - it is combined with Riva the Italian bistro where it is best to book a table as it is quite popular in the evenings.
Almost next door is John Macnabs Bar & Bistro in The Columba Hotel.
Just slightly further down the river from there, The Palace Hotel serves nice bar meals (no need to book) and also has a restaurant (it's preferable to book a table in advance).
Step into the tranquil haven provided by the Royal Highland Hotel (formerly known as The Station Hotel, next to the train station). They have excellent lunch and dinner menus in the adjacent new ASH bar (formerly Sleepers).
Overlooking the river by the main bridge near the corner of Bridge Street is Johnny Foxes - this pub offers live entertainment in the evenings and serves good bar meals all day.
Above it in the same building is Jimmy Chung's - a Chinese buffet style restaurant overlooking the river.
And on the corner a new stylish restaurant venture is which is part of
the Peat By the Bridge luxury apartments complex.
Shapla is an Indian restaurant on the other corner (almost under the castle) overlooking the river - so get yourself a window table.
For pasta & pizza, try Bella Italia on Bridge Street near the tourist office.
The River Cafe and Restaurant at 10 Bank Street has river views as it is situated near the pedestrian bridge leading to Balnain House.
The Rajah (behind the post office) is a popular Indian restaurant.
The Mustard Seed restaurant is on Bank Street overlooking the river - and can be very busy especially on summer evenings. Almost directly opposite over the river is their sister restaurant - a new glass-fronted building called The Kitchen Restaurant (15 Huntly Street).
Rocpool Rendezvous (on the corner by the main bridge opposite the castle) is highly stylish.
Abstract is the award-winning restaurant at the Glenmoriston Town House hotel on Ness Bank, which also owns the excellent Contrast Brasserie on the riverside.
Close by is The Waterside Hotel which has a nice conservatory restaurant overlooking the river, plus a bar.
In Church Street, the Arts Bar - billed as a bar with food - offers excellent salads and bar meals. It is located inside the Ramada Jarvis Hotel - walk into the reception area and turn right through the wooden doors - it overlooks the river.
In the same street is Madisons Diner which offers nice meals all day long.
Hootananny is also in Church Street, next to Abertarff House
(the oldest building in the city). Good food in pub surroundings. Regular live music and concerts.
At the far end of Church Street, there is a nice cafe in the top level of Leakeys bookshop in the old church hall.
Opposite is a Polish deli.
Blackfriars Pub on Academy Street serves home cooked meals from 12 noon - 9pm. Good selection of real ales including local Black Isle beers. Live music most nights and Monday night is traditional session night (open until midnight). Also on Academy Street, try Phoenix & Morgans Bar & Restaurant.
The Castle Tavern is recommended for real ales.
In the Crown district of Inverness (just a couple of minutes walk up from Stephen's Brae, then continue past the college, church and school) take a look at the menus for the restaurant at the Heathmount Hotel and the next door Corriegarth Hotel with its Taboo Restaurant.
There are also lots of other places throughout city for meals.
For a quick sandwich or soup to take out, try Subway, Costas or O'Briens in Inglis Street (between the railway station and the High Street). In the same street, there's also The Lemon Tree which is a nice little place for coffee and a snack. Inside the Eastgate shopping centre you will also find a variety of eateries.
For something a little different try The Barge 'Loch Ness' - the new seafood restaurant moored at Muirtown Basin. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Booking recommended. Eat all you can eat Seafood Buffet available on Sunday nights (July - August - September) and Sunday & Wednesday nights (rest of the year).
For pub and club reviews in Inverness, visit urBarred.com
Accommodation
More info about Inverness online:
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Local Sightseeing from Inverness
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More info about Inverness
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Request brochures from the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board - click here
Official Tourist Map: Loch Ness, Inverness & Aviemore - to buy online from Amazon.co.uk
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Walk Loch Ness and the Spey Valley
64 pages of walks by Richard Hallewell in this popular area of the Highlands.
The Great Glen Way
An excellent companion book to Scotland's new long distance trail between Fort William and Inverness. Waterproof and compact, this book gives route details, photos, maps, etc. for everything you need to know.
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