8 Amazing Day Trips from Inverness
Inverness is the most northern city in Scotland and is a great place to base yourself for exploring Scotland, especially the Highlands. This post lists the best tours and epic day trips from Inverness.
There are many things to do in Inverness, most of which can be seen in one day. I recommend travelling further to see what the Scottish Highlands have to offer.
Some of Scotland’s best and most famous attractions are within a two-hour drive from Inverness. Doing a few day trips from Inverness will make your Scottish trip a great one.
There are a few good tour operators who run small coach trips from Inverness. Also, friendly tour guides are always eager to share useful insights and local information.
Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle
Inverness is the closest city to the magical Isle of Skye. There are many wonderful attractions on the Isle of Skye including mountains, waterfalls and historical castles.
You can easily spend a few days on the Isle of Skye, however, the most popular highlights can be seen in one day. Some of the most famous sights on the Isle of Skye are Old Man of Storr, Lealt Waterfalls, Fairy Glen, Eas a’Bhradain and Kilt Rock.
Portree is the main settlement on the Isle of Skye and the are great accommodation options as well as places to go out and eat and drink.
In my opinion, the Isle of Skye is one of the best islands to visit in Scotland and it is great as you do not even need to get a ferry to get to the island.
There are a few attractions in the Highlands that you can stop at along the way to the Isle of Skye from Inverness. One of the most amaxing views is at Loch Carron Viewpoint.
Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. You will have seen it advertised everywhere from biscuit tins to postcards.
By Car
- Portree on the Isle of Skye is 114 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 2 hours 40 minutes.
- Eilean Donan Castle is 71 miles away and the total drive time is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Loch Carron Viewpoint is 63 miles away and the total drive time is 1 hour 23 minutes.
Public Transport
Loch Carron: Trains run by Scotrail are available from Inverness Train Station to Stromeferry. From Stromeferry, Loch Carron Viewpoint is a 22-minute walk.
Tour
You can experience the Isle of Skye on a day trip from Inverness. The tour is 12 hours long and is run by Timberbush Tours. The tour stops at Loch Ness and takes you to Portree, Lealt Falls, Old Man of Storr, Loch Carron and Eilean Donan Castle.
Book Now: From Inverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle
John o’Groats and the Far North
Travelling on the east coast of the north of Scotland is essentially one-half of the North Coast 500. John o’Groats is a small settlement that marks the most northerly point of mainland Britain.
On the way, you can stop at many attractions including Chanonry Point, Golspie Burn Waterfall and Gorge, Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, Whaligoe Steps, Keiss Castle and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe.
Dunrobin is a stately home which was the family seat of Clan Sutherland. There are brilliant views from the gardens across the Moray Firth and the castle resembles a French chateau with its towering spires.
Wick is the main town of the north and it was once a Viking settlement. There are plenty of great places to go to admire the coastal scenery along the way.
By Car
- Dunrobin Castle is 54 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 1 hour 9 minutes.
- Wick is 104 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 2 hours 10 minutes
- John o’Groats is 120 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 2 hours 3 minutes.
Tour
Explore the most northern part of Scotland on a day tour from Inverness. On route, you can see Loch Fleet, and Dunrobin Castle or enjoy the stunning scenery as you go along on the scenic excursion.
The tour is 11 hours long and is run by Timberbush Tours. On the tour, you can visit Golspie, Dunrobin Castle, the highland town of Wick and Wick Bay, John o’Groats and Brora.
Book Now: Inverness – John o’Groats and the Far North Tour
Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns
The Clava Cairns is an ancient Bronze Age burial site that has survived 4 millennia.
Also, you can visit Culloden Battlefield which is one of the most important sites in Scottish History. The famous battle of the Jacobite Uprising in 1745 ended a 60-year series of uprisings.
This battle saw the devastating defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Troops. At the visitor centre, you can pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last ever battle fought on British soil.
Glen Affric is a breathtaking area filled with Caledonian pine trees, waterfalls, stunning lake views and mountains.
By Car
- Clava Cairns is 7 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 16 minutes.
- Culloden Battlefield is 6 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 15 minutes.
- Glen Affric is 36 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 1 hour 6 minutes.
By Public Transport
Clava Cairns: The bus service 27 from Inverness Airport is available and Clava Cairns is a 20-minute walk from Culloden Moor Inn.
Culloden Battlefield: Accessible from bus 27 Inverness Airport you can get off at the Culloden Battlefield stop.
Tour
A tour from Inverness, run by Rabbie’s Small Group Tours will take you to Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns in a 9-hour day trip. The tour showcases the best of Loch Affric, surrounding mountains, waterfalls and pine trees.
Also, you can visit the historical Culloden Battlefield, the 13th-century ruins of Beauly Priory and Clava Cairns on the shores of Loch Ness.
Book Now: From Inverness: Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour
Applecross, Loch Carron & Kinlochewe
The southern stretch of the North Coast 500 can be explored in a day. A few of my favourite stops along the way are Black Isle, Rogie Falls and Lochcarron.
Along this route, you can discover the smaller villages and surrounding areas of Applecross and Torridon.
You can drive the 3rd highest road in Britain, the Bealach Na Ba (Scottish Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle) which stands over 2,000 feet. From the peak are some of the most breathtaking views over towards the Isle of Skye and Isle of Raasay.
Once completing the Bealach Na Ba you will arrive in Applecross. You can enjoy the secluded area where you will see the best of Scottish wildlife up close.
The next stop on the list is the small village of Torridon. You can drive along the banks of Loch Torridon and view the hills of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve as well as relax at Loch Maree and the Victoria Falls.
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is one of the oldest nature reserves in Britain and is home to plenty of wildlife including the golden eagle. From Sheildaig you can drive back to Inverness via Kinlochewe.
By Car
- Rogie Falls is 22 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 30 minutes.
- Bealach Na Ba is 75 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 1 hour 55 minutes.
- Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is 54 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 1 hour 7 minutes.
Tour
Timberbush Tours runs a 10-hour day tour from Inverness to Applecross, Loch Carron and Torridon. Travel along the south part of the North Coast 500, admire the views from the Applecross Peninsula and soak in the mountainous landscapes of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.
Book Now: Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch and it is known to be the home to Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. Also, Loch Ness is the second-largest and second-deepest loch in Scotland and it is considered to be the largest volume of water in the UK.
There are plenty of walking trails and things to do around Loch Ness where you can get the bus views across the glen.
Also, there are waterfalls, castles and abandoned sites dotted around the loch. In Drumnadrochit, you will find the Loch Ness Museum and the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
To the south of the loch are the Caledonian Canals and Fort Augustus which is a lovely town with amenities and places to eat. On the west of the loch at Foyers, you will find the Falls of Foyers.
Loch Ness is part of the Great Glen, a geological rift that runs from Inverness to Fort William. The Great Glen Way is a long-distance walking path that explores this.
In addition, you can get a boat tour to explore the loch, stop at Urquhart Castle and spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster.
By Car
- Loch Ness is generally a 30-minute drive from Inverness
- Drumadrochit is 18 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 30 minutes.
- Fort Augustus is 35 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 50 minutes.
- Foyers is 20 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 40 minutes.
By Public Transport
Drumnadrochit: From Inverness, you can get the bus service 17 to Dumnadrochit. There are a few regular bus options from Inverness.
Fort Augustus: You can get the 919 bus service to Fort William from Inverness
Foyers: Accessible by bus (302) from Inverness
Tour
You can enjoy a boat cruise where a boat takes you from Clansman Harbour and to the ruins of Urquhart Castle. It is an enjoyable boat ride with a bar onboard as you are transported across one of Scotland’s most famous lakes.
Book Now: Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle
Speyside Whisky & Moray Firth Tour
A trip to Scotland will not be complete without a tour of one of Scotland’s famous Whisky Distilleries. Speyside is an area where most of Scotland Whiskey Distilleries are located and they are not too far from Inverness.
So many distilleries including Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glen Moray and Tomatin are all within a 90-minute drive from Inverness.
As the drinking and driving rules in Scotland are quite strict therefore you should consider having a designated driver, getting a private driver or joining a day tour.
Tours
On a tour, you can marvel at Scotland’s whiskey region, explore Elgin’s gorgeous cathedral and enjoy a tour of the Glen Moray Distillery and Tomatin Distillery. This is the perfect way to taste the national drink and learn about its history, process and flavours.
Book Now: Speyside Whisky Tour
Fort William and Glen Coe
Fort William is considered the Outdoor Capital of Scotland. The small town is situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles.
Fort William has many nice places to eat and historical landmarks and it is surrounded by some of the most amazing landscapes. You can head to nearby Glencoe Valley where you will see some of the most impressive mountains in the country.
Alternatively, you can to go Glenfinnan to see the ‘Harry Potter bridge’ or relax on some of the most gorgeous beaches on the west coast of Scotland at Morar.
Fort Wiliam is the finishing point for the famed West Highland Way and the starting point for the Great Glen Way. There are many hidden gems in Fort William including the Corpach Shipwreck.
By Car
- Fort William is 66 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Glen Coe is 82 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 2 hours.
- Morar is 103 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
By Public Transport
Fort William: From King Street in Inverness you can get the 919 bus to Fort William’s Bus Station.
Tours
Timberbush Tours runs day trips from Inverness to see the iconic Hogwarts Express, to the seaside town of Mallaig and to the banks of Loch Ness where you can see the Falls of Foyers, Dores Beach and the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Book Now: Jacobite Steam Train and Highlands Tour
Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park
Aviemore is the adventure capital of the Cairngorms National Park. There are many attractions near Aviemore including Munros, a ski centre, historic buildings, lochs and woodland trails.
The Cairngorms National Park is one of Scotland’s two National Parks. This natural area is home to some of the UK’s highest mountain peaks and there are plenty of hiking opportunities.
By Car
- Aviemore is 30 miles away from Inverness and the total drive time is 40 minutes.
By Public Transport
Aviemore: Megabus runs bus routes from Inverness to Aviemore. The route takes approximately 45 minutes.
Final Note
Inverness is known as the “gateway to the Highlands” and it is perfect for exploring this incredible region. Enjoy a great Highland adventure on one of the routes listed above.
The Highlands of Scotland are completely remote and rural so it can be difficult at times to rely on public transport. Therefore, driving a car or getting on a tour is your best bet to explore off-the-beaten-path attractions.
If you drive I recommend hiring a car. If you can book one of the tours listed above to explore the Highlands.