Make the Most of Your Luxury Girls Weekend

Make the most of your luxury girls’ weekend away with this newly updated 2026 guide to the Top 20 Girls Weekend Activities in Inverness. Whether you’re planning a sophisticated hen party or a relaxed catch-up with your besties, you’ll find ideas for cocktail making, pottery, pampering, outdoor adventures, and even flight simulators and virtual reality escape rooms.

There is so much to do in and around Inverness, making it the perfect choice for your luxury girls’ weekend away at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa.

Top Girls & Hen Weekend “Spirited” Ideas

Let’s get spirited. What better way to start your girls’ weekend than with some delicious libations? Learn how to whip up siptastic cocktails together and kick off your break in style with a cocktail masterclass.

Book a Cocktail Masterclass

These Inverness venues offer cocktail-making masterclass experiences for groups — choose the one that suits your style:

• The Wee Bar: Book a private cocktail masterclass or group session to learn how to mix and shake together.
• The Whitehouse: Chic cocktail experiences and signature drinks in a stylish setting.
• The Botanics House: A venue that runs cocktail classes alongside other events and gigs.

Distillery Experiences

The Highlands are famous for whisky, Scotland’s national tipple. Learn about the distilling process and, even better, enjoy a fabulous tasting. Check out the Singleton Distillery or Tomatin Distillery — both less than a 25-minute drive from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa.

Crafty Activities for Your Girls & Hen Weekend Away

Spend a few hours with your girls trying your hand at a new craft. If you’ve ever watched the film Ghost and fancied giving pottery a go, now’s your chance.

• The Clay Studio: The Clay Studio in Inverness is a fabulous local resource that welcomes groups and offers a variety of pottery parties. Your group can try throwing a pot on the wheel or painting a piece of bisque pottery. Sessions are typically 2 hours and cost around £25 per adult — a great activity with something to take home as a memento of your Inverness getaway or hen weekend.
• Nook: a fabulous welcoming creative craft space and hidden gem in the heart of Inverness. It’s perfect for your girls get together, a wee gem where creativity, fun, relaxation, community, and good biscuits come together. Nook has a super range of Autumn activities including Autumn wreath making, working with seasonal flowers and decorating jam jars. Get your girls round a craft table, it’s a great way to catchup, make new memories, learn something new that you can take home or discover a new interest. There’s nothing quite like a shared experience for connecting with your people. Find details at https://www.thisisnook.co.uk/services.

Top tip: You can usually bring your own cocktails or fizz and nibbles, and ask about decorating the space to suit your party theme.

Perfect Indoor Activities for the Adventurous

Wow — there are so many adventurous indoor activities to try in Inverness on your girls’ or hen weekend. Ideal for rainy days or evenings when you want a bit of adrenaline.

• Karting: Inverness Karting is number one in the Highlands, catering for all groups, with or without food. Packed with fun and thrills.
• VR Escape Rooms: Virtual reality escape rooms in Inverness promise to shatter your reality and take you “anywhere”. Perfect for tech-savvy hens.
• Flight Simulation: Always wanted to be a pilot? Take the controls of a 737 replica simulator or be daring and try the F-16. It feels very, very real!
• Infinity Trampoline Park After Dark: On Friday and Saturday nights from 19:00–20:30, the trampoline park turns into a neon, music-filled bounce party — child-free for the grown-ups.
• Laser Tag & VR Combat: Indoor laser tag and free-roaming VR combat in a dedicated arena. Battle it out in Cops vs Robbers or team challenges — a fab addition to your weekend.

Explore the Outdoors Together

Inverness is located in the Highlands, famed for its landscapes from loch to mountain, with wonderful glens in between, beautiful coastline and so much more. It’s no surprise there are endless outdoor activities to tempt you on your girls’ weekend away.

• Inverness Crazy Golf at Bught Park: A hilarious round of fun with your friends. Unleash your competitive side on this crazy course and you’re guaranteed plenty of laughs. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the Palace.
• Treasure Trails: Become detectives together with an Inverness Treasure Trail. The 2.2-mile route can be downloaded or posted to your home – a brilliant way to explore the city on foot.
• Paintball / Laser Tag / Archery / Nerf Wars: Thanks to local providers such as Wildwoodz and Tazball, you can pick everything from paintball to gentler laser tag or archery.
• Alpaca Walking: Get up close to these woolly giants at Loch Ness Alpacas. Sign up for Alpaca Trekking on the shores of Loch Ness for a unique group experience.
• Outdoor Adventures: On-the-water fun including SUP, kayak, canoeing, rowing, river tours, sailing, windsurfing, raft building and more.
• Land Adventures: Think mountain biking, tubing, gorge walking, laser clays and climbing – there’s so much you can try.

Explore Outdoor Providers

For both land and water adventures, check out:

• Cairngorms Activities:
• Loch Insh:
• Loch Morlich:
• Adventure Tubing:

Unique Shopping in Inverness

There is always time for a wander round the shops when you’re away with the girls. Inverness has lots of fabulous unique and boutique shops to explore.

• Victorian Market: A lovely historic gem in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Palace. Independent shops and cafés offer a wide variety of quality products. Enjoy a tasty treat from Bad Girl Bakery or a siptastic beverage at Moonshine.
• Castle Gallery: Described in the Independent newspaper as “one of the best reasons to visit Inverness”, with landscape, figurative and abstract work by artists from Scotland and across Britain.
• Leakey’s Bookshop: An Inverness institution — Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop with 100,000 selected volumes in a converted church.
• Riverside Gallery: A family-run gallery with exhibitions all year, set on the beautiful banks of the River Ness.
• Highland House of Fraser& Chisholms Highland Dress: Ideal for traditional Highland dress, tartan and tweed, both just a short walk from the Palace.
• Judith Glue & The Drawing Room: Perfect for unique gifts, Orkney knitwear, homeware and special pieces you won’t find on the high street.
• Eastgate Centre: For high street favourites such as H&M, M&S and more.

Calling All Nature Lovers

Where better to explore nature and the landscape than the Highlands? Take it easy and soak up the scenery — or add a dash of adventure.

• Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle: Explore Loch Ness with a Jacobite Cruise or, for thrill-seekers, an exhilarating Beastie Boat RIB trip. Add a stop at the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle perched on the loch’s edge.
• Dolphin Spotting: The Highlands are blessed with a beautiful coastline. Head to Chanonry Point or Nairn Beach for a chance to spot dolphins from the shore, or book a Dolphin Spirit or similar cruise to head out to sea in search of dolphins, seals and maybe even whales.

First Morning – Arrive in Inverness & Get Settled

Once you’ve arrived in Inverness, head straight to the Palace. The team can store your luggage until check-in at 3pm so you can start your weekend right away.

All the sights of Inverness are within easy walking distance, so once you’ve dropped your bags and had a quick catch-up, head out with your girlfriends for a bit of sightseeing. Take a stroll up to Inverness Castle to admire the newly restored building and the views over the River Ness.

Then wander through the Old Town, admiring Victorian architecture along Church Street and beyond. Visit Inverness Cathedral and pop into Inverness Museum & Art Gallery for a dose of local Highland history and art.

First Afternoon – Lunch, Shopping & Alternatives

After a morning of exploring, it’s time to refuel.

Try The Original Rocpool for Scottish fine dining with a carefully crafted lunch menu and lovely river views. Or enjoy lunch at the chic Brasserie at the Palace, with classic Scottish favourites, gourmet burgers and sharing platters — plus cocktails on the Palace Terraces with castle views when the sun shines.

Alternatively, stroll to the Victorian Market and graze your way around the Market Hall, filled with local restaurants and food producers (don’t miss Bad Girl Bakery and its “La Liste”-recognised cakes).

Once you’ve refuelled, it’s time to hit the shops. Explore Eastgate Shopping Centre for high-street favourites, then dive into independent boutiques, the Victorian Market and Leakey’s Bookshop for unique finds.

Alternative Afternoon Ideas

If shopping isn’t quite the bride’s thing, swap in some alternative activities instead:

• Distillery Visit: Singleton or Tomatin Distillery for a whisky tasting and tour.
• Cocktail Masterclass: Book your own private session at The Wee Bar, The Whitehouse or The Botanics House.
• Pottery Party at The Clay Studio: Throw a pot or paint bisque pottery with fizz and nibbles.
• Inverness Botanic Gardens: A gentle wander through glasshouses and gardens, just a short walk from the Palace.
• Karting, Laser Tag & Escape Rooms: For high-energy groups, there’s plenty of indoor fun to choose from.

First Night – Dinner, Shows, Cocktails & Dancing

After a busy first day, it’s time to swap trainers for heels, get glam and hit the town.

Enjoy a delectable pre-theatre menu and cocktails at the Palace Brasserie, or dine with river views at Eight on the River. Afterwards, catch a West End hit, play, comedy or dance performance at Eden Court Theatre — just a riverside walk away.

For live music, head to Hootananny on Church Street. Later, sip signature cocktails at The Whitehouse or party into the wee small hours at The Den at Johnny Foxes. The Botanic House also hosts gigs, Bingo Loco nights and club events — plenty of options for every style of celebration.

Second Morning – Breakfast in Bed & Ness Islands

The perfect start to your second morning? Breakfast in bed. Order a full Scottish breakfast through room service and enjoy eggs, sausages and haggis while lounging in comfort and re-living last night’s highlights.

When you’re ready, head out for a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Ness, wandering towards Ness Islands. Swap funny stories, take group shots on the suspension bridges, or simply enjoy the tranquillity of a Highland Sunday morning.

Second Afternoon – Spa Treats & Girly Afternoon Tea

Continue your lazy Sunday with some perfectly pampering spa time. If you’re staying at the Palace, simply wander down to the spa and leisure club for a swim, steam and sauna before choosing from the treatments on offer at the spa.

Enjoy a facial, massage or manicure for ultimate indulgence, then curl up in the lounge with a drink.

No luxury girls’ weekend is complete without afternoon tea afternoon tea. Book a classic afternoon tea or the famous Intoxicating Tea Party with vintage china, finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, plus cocktails served in teapots for extra glamour.

Stay With Us – Luxury Girls & Hen Weekends in Inverness

We hope this guide to the Top 20 Girls Weekend Activities in Inverness has sparked plenty of ideas. Book your luxury girls’ break away at the 4 Star Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, one of the top choices for sophisticated hen weekends and girly escapes in the Highlands.

The Palace offers stylish accommodation in the heart of Inverness, on the banks of the River Ness opposite Inverness Castle, with all the little extra touches that make you feel special. Choose from a range of packages including shopping breaks, spa weekends, or the indulgent Girls Night In.

Call us on 01463 223243 or visit our Luxury Girls Breaks Away page to #bookdirect and start planning.