Simon’s guidebook. No shortage of things to do in the local area!
Places to eat and drink
These are places we would personally recommend for some good food and drink.
Good pub food served all day and a friendly little bar for a drink located at the back
31 locals recommend
The Loch Ness Inn
Good pub food served all day and a friendly little bar for a drink located at the back
Excellent Indian food. This place is always busy so you may need to book. After living in Asia for 16 years this is definitely the most authentic Indian restaurant in Inverness.
17 locals recommend
Rajah
2 Post Office AveExcellent Indian food. This place is always busy so you may need to book. After living in Asia for 16 years this is definitely the most authentic Indian restaurant in Inverness.
Great authentic Thai food in the centre of Inverness. Its a small restaurant and usually busy so make sure that you book.
10 locals recommend
Thai Dining
87 Academy StGreat authentic Thai food in the centre of Inverness. Its a small restaurant and usually busy so make sure that you book.
Nice pub by the river in Inverness. They have a good selection of beers and serve good pub food at reasonable prices.
19 locals recommend
The WaterFront
70 Huntly StNice pub by the river in Inverness. They have a good selection of beers and serve good pub food at reasonable prices.
Brewers of a great range of organic craft beer. You can have a brewery tour and then buy your favourite beers in the shop. Something good to do on a rainy day. They also have their own pub in Inverness which has a huge range of craft beers, good pizzas and usually some adhoc live music.
33 locals recommend
Black Isle Brewing Co
Brewers of a great range of organic craft beer. You can have a brewery tour and then buy your favourite beers in the shop. Something good to do on a rainy day. They also have their own pub in Inverness which has a huge range of craft beers, good pizzas and usually some adhoc live music.
Good pub food and located on the shore of Loch Ness. Some really nice walks along the shores and through the woodland nearby. Highly recommended.
74 locals recommend
The Dores Inn
Good pub food and located on the shore of Loch Ness. Some really nice walks along the shores and through the woodland nearby. Highly recommended.
The Mustard Seed Restaurant
16 Fraser StGood fine dinning in the heart of Inverness.
Sightseeing
There is no shortage of sightseeing in Scotland but here are some of our local favourites to get you started!
Historic Castle on the side of Loch Ness with great views across the loch. A must see for first time visitors to the area.
191 locals recommend
Urquhart Castle
Historic Castle on the side of Loch Ness with great views across the loch. A must see for first time visitors to the area.
Great place to find out about the legend and the history of Loch Ness
61 locals recommend
Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition
Great place to find out about the legend and the history of Loch Ness
Located close to Tomich not far from Glen Affric. This is a must see high waterfall with a viewing platform over the top. A really nice little walk with some impressive trees and views. Highly recommended. When the weather is bad its even more worthwhile as the falls become far more impressive.
33 locals recommend
Plodda Falls
Located close to Tomich not far from Glen Affric. This is a must see high waterfall with a viewing platform over the top. A really nice little walk with some impressive trees and views. Highly recommended. When the weather is bad its even more worthwhile as the falls become far more impressive.
A really nice glen which is great for hiking with natural Scots Pine forest, waterfalls and views along lochs. A great spot to discover the real Scotland.
80 locals recommend
Glen Affric
A really nice glen which is great for hiking with natural Scots Pine forest, waterfalls and views along lochs. A great spot to discover the real Scotland.
A must see for all first time visitors to Scotland. A great loch with fine views and then there is the monster!
277 locals recommend
Loch Ness
A must see for all first time visitors to Scotland. A great loch with fine views and then there is the monster!
A short walk from West Lewiston this is a very impressive high waterfall especially after heavy rain. There is a well cordoned off viewing area so it is safe for families.
8 locals recommend
Falls of Divach
A short walk from West Lewiston this is a very impressive high waterfall especially after heavy rain. There is a well cordoned off viewing area so it is safe for families.
Some nice forest walks with good views half way between Drumnadrochit and Inverness. A good spot for kids to explore and play in the woods. If youre there in Winter it usually has snow too because of the elevation.
20 locals recommend
Abriachan Forest Trust
Some nice forest walks with good views half way between Drumnadrochit and Inverness. A good spot for kids to explore and play in the woods. If youre there in Winter it usually has snow too because of the elevation.
A historic priory. Nice for a walk around and in the centre of Beauly with pubs and cafes nearby. Made famous by the recent Outlander series.
17 locals recommend
Beauly Priory
A historic priory. Nice for a walk around and in the centre of Beauly with pubs and cafes nearby. Made famous by the recent Outlander series.
A great place for walks along the shores of Loch Ness and through local woodland. After walking there is the Dores Inn which serves great pub food.
21 locals recommend
Dores
A great place for walks along the shores of Loch Ness and through local woodland. After walking there is the Dores Inn which serves great pub food.
A short walk with some very impressive waterfalls to the south of Loch Ness. A worthwile stop especially on a rainy day when the waterfall is in full force. Be warned there are alot of steps!
47 locals recommend
Falls of Foyers
45 B852A short walk with some very impressive waterfalls to the south of Loch Ness. A worthwile stop especially on a rainy day when the waterfall is in full force. Be warned there are alot of steps!
One of the best places to see Dolphins from the shore in the UK. Also has great views along the Moray Firth. There is also a nice beach.
87 locals recommend
Chanonry Point Holiday Cottage
Ness RoadOne of the best places to see Dolphins from the shore in the UK. Also has great views along the Moray Firth. There is also a nice beach.
A lovely little village on the Black Isle. Has a lovely beach with some great local walks.
32 locals recommend
Rosemarkie
A lovely little village on the Black Isle. Has a lovely beach with some great local walks.
Things that are really worth a visit in the local area. A historic Victorian Spa town. Interesting museum, nice cafes and some great walks and cycling nearby. In January the local woods play host to the Strathpuffer; one of the craziest 24 hour mountain bike races in the world.
20 locals recommend
Strathpeffer
Things that are really worth a visit in the local area. A historic Victorian Spa town. Interesting museum, nice cafes and some great walks and cycling nearby. In January the local woods play host to the Strathpuffer; one of the craziest 24 hour mountain bike races in the world.
A distillery close to Muir of Ord. The visitors centre is well worth a visit and its worth trying a drop on a cold day too!
43 locals recommend
Glen Ord Distillery Visitor Centre & Whisky Shop
A832A distillery close to Muir of Ord. The visitors centre is well worth a visit and its worth trying a drop on a cold day too!
Great place to hire bikes to get around Inverness and the surrounding area.
Ticket To Ride - Bike Hire
Great place to hire bikes to get around Inverness and the surrounding area.
Entertainment
Great theatre located in Inverness. They have a lot of shows and occasionally show old films. They also host a film festival.
161 locals recommend
Eden Court Inverness
Bishops RoadGreat theatre located in Inverness. They have a lot of shows and occasionally show old films. They also host a film festival.
Vue Cinema
Eastfield WayThe local multiscreen cinema located on the outskirts of Inverness.
Just over an hours drive from Drumnadrochit. They have reasonable skiing (Weather permitting) in Winter. In Summer you can still access the gondola for walks and the café at the top. IT also plays host to the world Cup downhill MTB race. there are also mountain bike trails for all from beginners up to expert.
139 locals recommend
Nevis Range Mountain Resort
Just over an hours drive from Drumnadrochit. They have reasonable skiing (Weather permitting) in Winter. In Summer you can still access the gondola for walks and the café at the top. IT also plays host to the world Cup downhill MTB race. there are also mountain bike trails for all from beginners up to expert.
Located about 40 mins south of Inverness. Weather permitting have skiing in Winter and some great views and hiking in the summer.
112 locals recommend
Cairngorm Mountain Carpark
Located about 40 mins south of Inverness. Weather permitting have skiing in Winter and some great views and hiking in the summer.
Rollerbowl
167 Culduthel RdSomething to do with kids on a rainy day!
Another option for a rainy day. A great indoor go kart track. Rally well run and fun for all the family.
25 locals recommend
Inverness Kart Raceway
Sir Walter Scott DriveAnother option for a rainy day. A great indoor go kart track. Rally well run and fun for all the family.
Dolphin Trips Avoch Ltd
A great way to get up close to dolphins and other nature.