Exploring the Highlands is a must when visiting Scotland! From the gorgeous lochs and majestic mountains, its scenery is unbeatable! Spead a weekend in Inverness, soaking in its beauty. Seriously, Scotland is such an underrated country. You will not be disappointed when you visit…
If you only have a few days in this beautiful country, you must visit Inverness! It is a city full of life and rich with history! From mysterious stones to stunning overlooks Inverness is the best destination! Here is a guide for the perfect weekend getaway!
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Day 1:
Where to stay: We stayed in the Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments – and we could not have asked for a better room! We were right on River Ness and were a short walk to amazing restaurants! It was a great price and if you pay a little more, you can have a river view, it also includes a delicious breakfast. There is a nice path that leads around the river and a few suspension bridges to walk over. We took a walk on the second morning and it was just perfect the way the sun hit the water and made it sparkle.
**If you are thinking of traveling to Inverness, we highly recommend staying in this hotel! Click here to book, using our link!**
Inverness Castle
Although not open to the public, the Inverness Castle is a beautiful spot to explore! You can visit the castle grounds and the north tower. The north tower has a great viewpoint for around $5 to see a 360 view of Inverness!
Clava Cairns
Our first stop on day 1 was Clava Cairns. (free to get in!) Throughout the British Isles, there are many ‘standing stones’ (e.g. Stonehenge). The Clava Cairns have standing stones as well as massive tombs, or cairns.
This place is full of mystery and speculation as to why they are there. To some, it is just a burial ground, to others, a place to study the sun or a way to travel in time.
Yes, for any of you that are wondering, this is where Diana Gabaldon got her inspiration from the Craigh Na Dun standing stones in her book, Outlander. Although the filming location for Craigh Na Dun was in a different place, it was still cool to see these mysterious stones!
There is a small parking lot, but we recommend going early, as it does get crowded later in the day. And you want to get those photos before the tour buses show up.
Culloden Battlefield
This is one of Scotland’s most famous sites. The Battle of Culloden was a turning point in Scottish history. After a long and hard-fought rebellion, the Battle of Culloden marked the defeat of the Jacobites. It marked the end of the clan system, the end of the Highland culture, and even the ban on the Gaelic language.
It is 11 euros to explore the battlegrounds and there is a museum to walk around inside. A memorial stands in the middle of the battleground as well as many ‘clan stones’. Most clan stones are in the very middle, but some are scattered throughout the grounds. I was able to find my family’s clan name, the ‘MacLarens’, on one of the memorial stones!
The battleground walk is very easy, there are paths all the way around to the left side of the battlefield. However, it does not make the full loop to the right side, so keep that in mind.
The Storehouse
We stopped for lunch at The Storehouse. Sitting on the Cromarty Firth, The Storehouse is a fantastic spot! We would recommend booking a table in advance or just planning on having a picnic. There are plenty of seats outside, as well as shops, and a place to watch for seals! We spotted one while we were there in May. They also have some lovely shops to look around and ice cream for dessert!
Day 2
On day two, head outside the city and into the country part of Inverness. From castles to waterfalls day, two will bring you closer to Scotland’s wildlife!
Castle Leod
This first stop is Castle Leod. It is a single road to get down, and a residential area, so please be respectful. You cannot park all the way up to the front of the house, as there is a barricade that will prevent you. We were told, when the owner is home, he is known to come out and talk to the guest and even invite them into his home!
This has been the home to the Clan Mackenzie Chieftains for over 500 years! This would have been the home to the fictional character Colum Mackenzie in the book, Outlander.
On the castle grounds, there is an awesome tree walk you can explore (free to walk through). There were so many unique trees! We found a tree that dates to the 1500s!
We were very excited to learn we had been featured on
Rogie Falls
Not far from Castle Leod is Rogie Falls! Another gorgeous spot to explore more of Scotland’s beauty is by hiking down to a waterfall. Now don’t let the word ‘hike’ scare you, it was only about a 15-minute walk down to the falls. And a very moderate walk. This is also free, so it was worth the small walk!
There are a couple of different overlooks you can view the falls from, along with a ‘bouncy bridge’. During peak season, you can see salmon jumping upstream! There are facilities near the parking lot, however, they don’t seem to get too much attention along the lines of cleanliness.
Clootie Well
Clootie Well is a place of ancient ritual; dating back to the time of the Celts. The belief is, if you or a loved one is sick, you bring a cloth (or clootie) from their clothes and wash it in the well. You then hang it up on a branch and leave it and the sickness there.
There are plenty of spots for parking and it is free to walk through. People still believe in this ritual today, so please be respectful.
Beauly Priory
If old churches are your thing, then be sure to visit Beauly Priory. The final resting place of clan Fraser chieftain, Lord Lovet Fraser. It has very limited parking, but it is free to walk around so bonus points! Beauly is a lovely town to walk around in, it has shops as well as ice cream parlors.
Day 3:
On the last day be sure to pack and wear your hiking gear and maybe even a picnic lunch! Today you may even spot the legendary Loch Ness Monster, Nessie!
Glen Affric
Our first stop of day three was Glen Affric – a beautiful overlook! There is a parking lot and facilities, but getting there the road can be quite winding, so be careful. The path that leads to the overlook, is across the street. It was a bit muddy when we went, so wear shoes you do not care about! The walk-up is about 15 minutes, very moderate, but it can get slippery.
You are rewarded with the most gorgeous views! I will let the pictures speak for themselves! We were there in the springtime, but I would love to come back when the heather is in bloom!
Loch Ness
Scotland and Loch Ness just go together. We had the amazing opportunity to take a cruise down Loch Ness to Urquart Castle. We went through a company called Loch Ness by Jacobite. Tickets are available online or at the Loch Ness visitor center and are 22 euros per person (adult).
We have to say we had the most perfect weather, but it does get windy when you are on the boat, so we recommend a jacket or some type of windbreaker. There is an option to go inside as well.
We highly recommend this, it is such a beautiful way to see the Loch. Also, you get amazing views and quick access to the castle! Exploring Urqhart Castle was the perfect way to end the day.
Restaurants To Try:
If you are looking for the best places to eat in Inverness; I have made a list of a few to try! Keep in mind most places fill up, especially on the weekends, so be sure to make those reservations!
- Mustard Seed – We found this restaurant through Lonely Planet and had to check it out! It is an extremely popular restaurant and we highly recommend making a reservation! Their food is absolutely amazing! Scotland is known for its fantastic fish and the seafood here was so delicious! Give this place a try when you are in Inverness!
- The Kitchen Restaurant – Another great place to eat with a gorgeous view of the water! It is well worth the wait for their fantastic food!
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