Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
A welcome addition to the eating out scene in Inverness. Set in a wonderful position overlooking the river, it serves superb, fresh food prepared with skill and care. Choose from the lunch, dinner or Sunday lunch menu.
This highly regarded country manor restaurant has a 'Taste of Scotland' menu which includes haggis and smoked salmon among many other delights. Tony Blair has visited this manor house twice.
This small family run franchise is situated in the main building at the Great Glen Water Park. The Restaurant offers a choice of freshly prepared light snacks throughout the day as well as a wide range of freshly prepared evening meals using great local produce.
Fun Days Out
Awarded 5 Stars by VisitScotland.com, this fantastic, world famous Exhibition incorporates a 7 room automated walk through telling the story of Loch Ness from the beginning of the Ice Age through to the present day. using animations, lasers and special effects.
Trips depart from Inverness harbour out onto the Moray Firth, where you will have the best chance of seeing the most northerly group of bottlenose dolphins in the world, plus common seals, grey seals and porpoise.
The Dolphin and Seal centre is run by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and provides information about dolphins, seals and other wildlife you can see in this area.
At the site of the last battle fought on British soil, the visitors' centre has an interactive exhibition, 360º immersive film bringing the battle to life, battle field tour, licensed restaurant and shop. Culloden has always been a memorable place — and is now even more so.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
Inverfarigaig - Foyers - Loch Ness - Inverfarigaig - 7.4 Miles (11.8 KM)
A 6.4 mile walk overlooking Loch Ness. Taking about 4 hours, the route starts from the Information Centre at the Inverfarigaig car park and continues to Upper Foyers. The route then descends overlooking the falls.
From Achiltibuie, this estate reserve encompasses mountains, moorland, peatbog and a chain of lochs. lPtarmigan, great northern diver, Grey seal, otter and red deer are among the wildlife and the from Strathkannaird to Achiltibuie is a wonderful coastal walk.
Caledonian Canal: Fort Augustus - Kytra Lock - 13.3 Miles (21.3 KM)
A good 5 mile family walk along the canal. You can park in the village centre and set off from Fort Augustus. There is a picnic area at Kytra Lock.
Pattack Falls and Druim an Aird - 27 Miles (43.2 KM)
This easy to follow walk takes you through Pattack gorge waterfalls (used as a location in 'Monarch of the Glen') and the ruins of Druim an Aird, the deserted village.
Golf & Sports
A completely mobile outdoor activity company with headquarters near Inverness, they use venues throughout the Highlands for canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking, canyoning, archery, mountain biking, hill walking, weaselling, winter mountaineering, telemark and cross country skiing and snowboarding.
Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, water sports, target sports and clay pigeon shooting are just a few of the things on offer at this centre. There's something for everyone to enjoy particularly if you are an adrenaline junkie.
Eleven miles of purpose-built, all-weather challenging singletrack mountain bike routes graded red and black, including a blue-graded Fun Park. Hire a mountain bike and they'll even shuttle you to the start to save the climb. Or if you'd rather, take a pony trek or a quiet walk.
For an active day out, choose from an exciting range of sports: white water rafting, canoeing, gorge scrambling, rock climbing, abseiling and mountain biking as well as skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Activities are available to suit individuals, families and groups of all ages and abilities.
Nature Reserves
Renowned as one of Europe's most important wetlands, this nature reserve will undoubtedly charm bird watching enthusiasts. Around half of all British goldeneye ducks nest here in spring. You?re also likely to see lapwings, redshanks and curlews, as well as oystercatchers, snipe and wigeon. Easily accessible from Kingussie, this reserve is also the ideal place for a picnic.
Gardens & Woodlands
Who would have thought that in the Heart of the Highlands you would find a subtropical oasis, with greenhouses, cactus house, landscaped gardens, and tropical fish pond!
The reserve is located at one of the highest mountains in Easter Ross (1046m) and this attracts many people to the area. It is home to many interesting plants like dwarf birch, and a variety of wildlife including red deer and golden eagle.
Experience Scottish wildlife as well as international endangered animals of mountains and tundra in the spectacular setting of the Highland Park. Drive round the main reserve in your own car and investigate the walk-round areas on foot. (Facilities are available to leave dogs during visit)
Local Attractions
Loch Ness Cruises offer the opportunity to cruise around Loch Ness and join in the continuing search for the infamous Loch Ness Monster. The vessel is comfortable and offers plenty of shelter from the elements if needed, the cabin is heated and is surrounded by glass so you still get great views from inside, or you can sit outside on the decks and enjoy the views and abundance of fresh air. Tours operate from Easter to end of October, they are popular so booking during the summer months is essential. Tours last about an hour in total including the pick up and drop off at the harbour. Skippered by a local highlander who is really friendly and jovial, you are assured a first class trip with the best knowledge around of the loch, local history and the elusive Nessie and plenty of anecdotes and stories, tours are both interesting and informative. The vessel is fitted with full colour sonars, radar GPS, underwater cameras and satellite navigation that continually scans the loch for any suspicious movement. You get the best views of Urquhart Castle from onboard and the views of the loch are fabulous so make sure to take along a camera. Loch Ness Cruises are excellent value for money with great commentary and excellent customer service as well as some fabulous scenery, a definite if you are visiting this area, you won't be disappointed.
Castle Cruises Loch Ness operates boat trips around Loch Ness. You are collected from the Loch Ness visitor centre where you can buy tickets and are returned here by minibus. The tour lasts about three quarters of an hour you get to see the loch and Great Glen from a different perspective, as well as getting great views of Urquhart Castle. The cruiser is comfortable and accommodates about twelve people, so groups are small. It does have a covered area in case of rain as you are out in the open. Onboard are underwater scanning equipment and GPS that are continually scanning the waters, you might not find the elusive Nessie but will certainly find plenty of fish. There is as an audio and visual presentation system that plays as you travel around the loch and narrates the history of the loch and the local area together with local stories, folklore and facts. The cruises are operated by skippers Gordon or Dick who have vast knowledge of the area and are happy to share this with you and answer any questions that you might have. They are friendly, knowledgeable and passionate and the tours are fun and interesting and cater to all ages on board. Trips are accompanied by ducks who come to be fed and a loaf of bread is kept on board to feed them. Tours run from Easter through to the end of October and are dependent on the weather and numbers. Make sure to take along a camera as there are plenty of photo opportunities. Castle Cruises Loch Ness provide an indepth and fascinating insight into the loch, the infamous Nessie and the local area, cruises cater to all ages and it is a fabulous tour with lots to see and learn and is excellent value too, and the skippers ensure that everyone has a memorable trip, highly recommended.
At Iceberg Glass, Douglas Wilson and his staff produce a large range of free worked glass pieces, including contemporary jewellery for sale to the public. Formerly at Drummnadrochit, the studio has now relocated to Fort Augustus by Loch-Ness.
New spacious, welcoming Highland Gallery. Hundreds of paintings from Scotland's best artists: contemporary, landscape, wildlife and so on, plus interesting sculpture, cards, prints and in-house silversmith.
Discover 'The Story of Tartan' and join in the weaving exhibition at this working factory site. The Mill shop offers a superb range of tartans, knitwear, gifts and souvenirs. Situated in the City Centre.
A remote distillery with routes as far back as the 15th century. Set in spectacular scenery, Tomatin is one of the highest distilleries in the country at over 315 metres above sea level. It is also a family affair with 25 families housed on the 140 acres the site encompasses. Take the tour of this unique, four star attraction, hear about whisky-loving angels and try a drop yourself.
Since, 1839 Dalmore's Award Winning Malts have been distilled on the picturesque shores of the Cromarty Firth. Enjoy a free tour, and a wee dram. There's a visitor centre and shop.
Historical & Heritage Sites
Now you can take the official guide and explore those murky waters for yourself. Examine the evidence and find out some important facts about Scottish history.
A stunning and romantic ruin on an unusual perch overlooking Loch Ness. Steeped in history, this castle is also deeply embedded in local folklore and legend as it sits at the site of the infamous Loch Ness Monster! In more proven history, it has played a significant role in both Edward I's reign and Robert the Bruce's.
Recently refurbished, this museum collects and displays images, objects and memories that relate to the Highlands. Explore haunting stories of the past, the people and the traditions of the Highlands.
A different attraction where the visitor is asked to step back in time in a truly fascinating experience. A much loved Victorian past-time, recreating Strathpeffer Spa. Great interactive displays, models and displays offering insights into the history of the spa and the reasons behind its popularity as high society's favoured place to visit for 'the season'.
Explore the history of childhood in the Highlands, amongst crofters and townsfolk, through recorded by oral testimony, displays, photographs and video. There is also a fascinating doll and toy collection, Gift and Bookshop and Coffee Shop.
Fort George - 18.5 Miles (29.6 KM)
This vast Artillery Fortification was built following the Battle of Culloden. The fort includes reconstruction of barrack rooms in different periods and a display of muskets and pikes. The cafe is open during the summer only.
The museum boasts a superb military museum, a reconstructed kitchen and a wonderful outdoor area which is great for picnics!
An extremely well preserved set of prehistoric burial cairns are an intriguing attraction to pay a visit to. Dating from about 4000 years ago, the cemetery has a collection of kerb cairns, ring cairns, passage graves and some chapel remains. This Bronze Age cemetery was first excavated in the 1990s.
A great museum, with some original artwork which explores Pictish history and provides a forum for current research in that area. It also features the impressive Rosemarkie cross-slab, decorated with its mysterious Pictish symbols.
This major social history museum gives a fascinating insight into the way life was lived in the Highlands over the past three centuries.
Cawdor will be forever linked with Macbeth. This fairy-tale castle dates from the 14th century and is still home to the Cawdor family. Along with the castle there are three gardens, the Cawdor Big Wood, and a 9 hole golf course.
