Kerstine's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Full of history. Amazing views. Centre of Inverness.
Great pub, the castle pub, next door.
127 locals recommend
Inverness Castle
Full of history. Amazing views. Centre of Inverness.
Great pub, the castle pub, next door.
Caledonian Canal
Canal SideBeauitful walks, lovely views and otters too!
Bught Park Pitches
Bught RoadBeautiful green park, next to the river
Free to enter. Lovely cafe. Walking distance.
34 locals recommend
Inverness Cathedral, dedicated to St Andrew
Ardross StreetFree to enter. Lovely cafe. Walking distance.
Culloden Battlefield station
Close Inverness history and haunting site.
Floor to ceiling books. Wood fire. Harry Potter style library.
39 locals recommend
Leakey's Second-hand Bookshop
Church StreetFloor to ceiling books. Wood fire. Harry Potter style library.
Cobbs At Inverness Botanic Gardens
Bught LaneDonation to enter. Highlands history and art gallery. Many Highlands stories and facts.
87 locals recommend
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Castle WyndDonation to enter. Highlands history and art gallery. Many Highlands stories and facts.
Neighbourhoods
Ness Islands
Great Glen WayStunning walk into town.
Inverness Leisure
Bught LaneFabulous pool, gym, family friendly. Cafe, flume, wave machine.
Ballifeary
Quiet, by the river. Little shop.
Food scene
Live music and good food. Check the Facebook for live events. Free entry. Open late.
130 locals recommend
Hootananny
67 Church StLive music and good food. Check the Facebook for live events. Free entry. Open late.
Rose Street Foundry
96 Academy StreetHistoric building. Great food and hospitality. International owners.
Beefeater Loch Ness House
Glenurquhart RoadVery close to the property. Good food, bar, beer garden. Discounts.
Leisure
National parkrun. Free event. Every Saturday. 0930. Walking distance. Walk, jog, run. Free to register on line.
Torvean parkrun
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh is the highest hill around Loch Ness. At 699 m high, its prominent shape and position make it a landmark of the area. It is a great hike for those with experience of walking on rough trails. On a clear day the views from the summit are, without question, the best views in the whole area! You can see down the full length of Loch Ness, south to Ben Nevis and Fort William and north to Inverness and the Moray Firth.
For directions to the start of the trail and a short walk description, see WalkHighlands. Park in the car park, and from there it is about a 3-hour walk to the summit and back. Just one word of warning, the route does get very boggy after heavy rain!
Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh is the highest hill around Loch Ness. At 699 m high, its prominent shape and position make it a landmark of the area. It is a great hike for those with experience of walking on rough trails. On a clear day the views from the summit are, without question, the best views in the whole area! You can see down the full length of Loch Ness, south to Ben Nevis and Fort William and north to Inverness and the Moray Firth.
For directions to the start of the trail and a short walk description, see WalkHighlands. Park in the car park, and from there it is about a 3-hour walk to the summit and back. Just one word of warning, the route does get very boggy after heavy rain!
Often referred to as ‘the most beautiful glen in Scotland’, no visit to the area is complete without at least driving up to the Glen Affric car park and walking up to the lodge. However, for the keen walker there is a 10 mile circuit (4-6 hours) of Loch Affric which lets you experience the true splendour of the area, with towering snow-capped mountains, and along the side of the path, the remnants of the ancient Caledonian forest dating back thousands of years. Take a packed lunch and stop at Strawberry Cottage to admire the views.
80 locals recommend
Glen Affric
Often referred to as ‘the most beautiful glen in Scotland’, no visit to the area is complete without at least driving up to the Glen Affric car park and walking up to the lodge. However, for the keen walker there is a 10 mile circuit (4-6 hours) of Loch Affric which lets you experience the true splendour of the area, with towering snow-capped mountains, and along the side of the path, the remnants of the ancient Caledonian forest dating back thousands of years. Take a packed lunch and stop at Strawberry Cottage to admire the views.
We couldn’t not talk about the South Loch Ness Trail, given that we have been responsible for its development! Parts of this trail afford amazing views over Loch Ness (from the Fair Haired Lads Pass) that are ‘off the beaten track’ (the route up the ‘Corkscrew’), that meander through woodland (Farigaig Forest) and that pass by places for sustenance in Dores and Foyers! To walk the length can easily be done in 2 to 3 days. With unbelievable views of some of the most remote parts of the Scottish Highlands, it’s easy to see why the South Loch Ness Trail is one of our favourite hiking trails around Inverness and Loch Ness. For more route information visit the Loch Ness 360 website
South Loch Ness trail start/end
We couldn’t not talk about the South Loch Ness Trail, given that we have been responsible for its development! Parts of this trail afford amazing views over Loch Ness (from the Fair Haired Lads Pass) that are ‘off the beaten track’ (the route up the ‘Corkscrew’), that meander through woodland (Farigaig Forest) and that pass by places for sustenance in Dores and Foyers! To walk the length can easily be done in 2 to 3 days. With unbelievable views of some of the most remote parts of the Scottish Highlands, it’s easy to see why the South Loch Ness Trail is one of our favourite hiking trails around Inverness and Loch Ness. For more route information visit the Loch Ness 360 website
Traveler advice
Getting around
Bus stop. Public bus.
Five minute walk from the house. Bus number 2 into Inverness.
Don't miss
Ness islands
Beautiful bridges over the famous river Ness. 30 minute walk to town over the bridges.
What to pack
Walking shoes, dress code informal. Layers. Sun tan lotion.
Four seasons in a day most days. Bring sunnies and hats.
Customs and culture
Highlanders are very friendly and extremely proud of history
Try to meet some highlanders. They love their rich history and proud heritage of clans and being the outpost of Scotland and the UK.