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Top Things to Do in Inverness on Foot
Perhaps you are travelling by train, bus or just arrived by plane and are looking for car free activities and days out! Newly updated for 2025, here are our top things to in Inverness in Foot. There is so much to See and Do in Inverness and best of all you don’t need a car! Discover Inverness with a stay at Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. Ideally located on the banks of the River Ness opposite Inverness Castle.
As many of our guests don’t have a car, we have put our thinking caps on to come up with some top things to do that are within easy reach. We have filled this blog with the Top things to do in Inverness on foot plus lots of other top suggestions for you stay. Even better these activities are only a short walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa.
Explore Inverness Without a Car
Many of the city’s top attractions are located within walking distance of the train station and the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. Here are just a few of our favourites we think you will enjoy.
- Inverness Castle is directly opposite the Palace Hotel & Spa. This fabulous castle is undergoing an exciting major refurbishment and will open again 2025. However stay at the Palace and you can enjoy a River and castle view.
- Uile-Bheist brewer & Distillery, is the first distillery in Inverness for 130 years this NEW distillery opened earlier this year in February. Located on the banks of the River Ness, opposite the Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa Uile-Bheist also operates a small brewery producing a range of craft beers. Unsurprisingly for the connection to Loch Ness the Gaelic name means Monster! To book a tour and explore the history of whisky making and brewing click here.
- Inverness City Centre – Whether it is for shopping or for visiting the castle, museum or taking a walk round the gardens, it is well worth investigating.
- Victorian Market – full of unique owned shops from the local Chocolate Shop, Music Shop and Joke shop plus many more. This lovely, historic gem has just benefitted from a £1.5million refurbishment. Located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Palace. All the shops, cafes are independent and offer a wide variety of quality products. Enjoy a tasty treat from the Bad Girl Bakery or Moonshine for a siptastic beverage!
- Inverness Botanic Gardens – The Floral Hall, Gardens and Coffee Shop is a unique visitor attraction. It offers a tranquil break amidst beautiful floral displays. Opened in 1993 it has been inspiring local gardeners and visitors from all over the world ever since. Well worth a visit walking distance from the Palace Must visit Botanic Gardens & Floral Hall, Inverness
Car Free Adventures, Explore the Area with these Inverness Tours
You can visit Loch Ness, try Nessie hunting, see Urqhuart Castle and so much more without a car. We have a couple of suggestions for those visitors who don’t have a car or simply want someone else to do the driving. Lets be honest the driver always misses out on the best views.
- Happy Tours – We have worked with Happy Tours and the well known Cameron at Happy Tours for many years. Cameron is offering bespoke, small group tours a maximum of 6 per group to discover more see here. Tours include Isle of Skye, Outlander Tour, Loch Ness and Culloden, Whisky Tours, Cairngorm Tours and more. You can book online just check out Cameron’s website! Download your copy of our FREE Visitor Guide.
- WOW Tours – With Gordon Pearson at the helm you are guaranteed a 5 star Visit Scotland rated experience, number 1 rated on TripAdvisor in Inverness. Tours include Isle of Skye Day Tour, Skye Fairy Pools Tour, Whisky Tour and Castle Tour. WOW offer a fantastic selection of Tours and Private Tours from Inverness and the opportunity to fall in love with the place we call home. Book Online
- Treasure Trails – You and your group and can experience a detective mystery tour in Inverness courtesy of Treasure Trails. The trail is 2.2 miles long and can be downloaded or posted to your home. See here for all the details
- Jacobite Cruises – You can join a Jacobite cruises from Inverness Bus Station only a short walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. They they have a small office at the Bus Station, where tours can be arranged fand run every day except for Christmas Day! The Jacobite City Sightseeing tour only runs in the Summer Months. On the water is the finest way to see Loch Ness, nothing compares to a luxury cruise.
Discover the Unique Inverness Shops within Walking Distance
Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and has a wide array of shops. You will find all your high street favourites however there are quite a few unique choices. Below are a few of the shops unique to Inverness that may make your trip even more memorable. The shops are one of the top things to do in Inverness on Foot.
- Victorian Market Located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Palace. All the shops, cafes are independent and offer a wide variety of quality products. Enjoy a tasty treat from the Bad Girl Bakery or Moonshine for a siptastic beverage!
- Castle Gallery–one of the most successful small galleries you’ll find in Scotland. Described in the Independent newspaper as ‘one of the best reasons to visit Inverness’. Exhibits include landscape, figurative and abstract work by artists from Scotland and throughout Britain. With pieces by established artists and emerging talent. The gallery holds exhibitions of contemporary paintings, original prints, sculpture, crafts and designer jewellery. Open Monday – Saturday and just 5 minutes walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa.
- Scottish Flair Art Gallery was established in 2004, is a privately, family run gallery that specialises in Edwardian and Victorian Art. It is situated in Bank Street Inverness (located on the first floor within The Riverside Art Gallery). The gallery offers a varied and diverse range of original Scottish fine art in all media types & price ranges. It covers a wealth of talent in most genres, catering to all tastes and preferences.
- Riverside Gallery,is a family run art gallery with exhibitions all year. Set on the beautiful banks of the River Ness it has a location that matches some of its works.
- Kilts Highland House of Fraser– just a few minutes walk from the Palace along the river bank! A family business steeped in the tradition of Highland dress. Boasts a selection of the finest clothing, textiles and gifts. They have been making bespoke kilts within the premises for over 50 years, continuing the tradition of the finest hand sewn kilts. Shop Highland House of Fraser!
- Kilts– For all things kilt related see Chisholms Highland Dress a family run kilt business looking after all the details for generations 47-51 Castle St, Inverness.
- Leakey’s Second Hand Bookshop is Scotland’s largest second hand bookshop with 100,000 selected volumes. The shop is actually a converted church, the huge old Gaelic Church at the end of Church Street, one street back from the river, about 7-9 minutes’ walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel. This is THE place to try in Inverness if you like books and or a great bistro style café with home cooking.
- The Drawing Room is a super addition to this list for gorgeous unique gifts and home furnishings you must visit this lovely boutique shop on Kingsmills road. It is the exclusive Inverness stockist of Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater, Rosie Brown, Sheila Fleet, Alex Monroe and many others.
- If you need something from one of your typical high street stores you will more than likely find what you need at the Eastgate Centre –includes M&S, Next and all the High street retail brands you know well.
Inverness Walkable Activities
Looking for something to keep kids happy on your day out then Inverness has a lot to offer. There are lots of activities: Swimming Pool & Ice Rink at Aqua Dome or for Soft Play visit Frankie & Lola’sabout 10 mins from the Palace. There is also Ten Bowling if you want something for all to enjoy at Roller Bowl. Perhaps the kids want to burn off some energy after visiting the castle then they might want to try the Trampoline Park at Infinity Inverness or the Inverness Skate & Bike Park– Bught Road purchase cards from Inverness Leisure Centre.
Your day out with the kids doesn’t have to be expensive! Try Whins Boating Park and Ness Islands Walk only 15 minutes’ walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. Belfield Park with Tennis Courts, Mini Golf and a paddling pool in the summer a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Inverness Crazy Golf. You could spend a whole day out without the car as all these adventures are only a short walk from Inverness city centre!
Delicious Treats in Inverness only A Short Walk Away
It’s a well known fact that Scottish people have a sweet tooth! The Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa serves a yummy range of cakes & tasty coffee plus the fabulous Intoxicating Tea Party! Here are a few alternative suggestions in Inverness:
Coffee Shops & Ice Cream in Inverness
All these fab coffee spots and yummy cakes are within walking distance on Inverness centre.
- Girvans Restaurant– a family run restaurant serving lovely meals and cakes.
- Coffee Affair located on Church Street. A fresh and friendly local Coffee shop with a great selection of cakes and freshly made sandwiches.
- Rendezvous Cafe on Church Street a smaller more quirky cafe serving homemade and local produce with about 10 tables it’s busy and has friendly staff.
- Miele’s Gelateria Inverness Ice Cream Shop on Church Street
- Perk Coffee & Donuts, on church street next to the Victorian Market. Savour a handmade donut
- Ness Walk Kiosk the perfect spot for a fresh waffle, yummy ice cream, warming crepe or coffee as you stroll along the river banks!
Top Things to Do at Night In Inverness on Foot
In the land of Whisky Galore try these Bars!
Inverness has a few great bars, where you can discuss your adventures and plan your next activities. If you enjoy Scottish music then take a trip to Hootananay. This Inverness icon has 3 levels catering to all music tastes. It’s definitely one to seek out at Hogmanay! Most of these wee gems are within the city centre, easy access by rail or foot.
Inverness Whisky Bars
- Whisky Gigs at The Malt Room: The Malt Room is Inverness’s first Whisky Bar, with a premimum selection of other spirits and wines. Every Thursday, enjoy whisky tasting and Scottish music at The Malt Room with folk singer Davy Holt.
- Highland Malt Whisky Experience at Macgregors: From April to October, from Monday to Friday at 7pm, experience whisky tasting, history, and Scottish Highlands’ music at Macgregors.
Inverness Bars
- Hootananay – 01463 233 651 an Inverness Institution, pop in and experience a Traditional Scottish Night Out
- The Malt Room – Inverness’s first Malt Whisky Bar, tucked away in an alleyway leading to the Victorian Market.
- The Auctioneers – 01463 713 005 Bar & Eatery
- Lauders– 01463 235 909 A local bar
- Gellions – 01463 233 648 Oldest Bar in Inverness, features live music daily.
- Black Isle Brewery – 01463 229920 Real Ales
- The Pheonix Ale House – 01463 245 990 Real Ales
- The Castle Tavern– 01463 718 178 Real Ales Bar
- McCallums – 01463 234 805 local bar in Inverness city centre
Top Inverness Cocktail Bars – Sip & Savour the Delights of the Highlands!
- The Den – 01463 236577
- The Botanic – Live Music, DJ’s, Bingo Locco, regualr events
- Bar One – 01463 236577
- White House Bistro – 01463 226767, boozy brunch, lush cocktails
- Scotch & Rye 01463 715 374, craft beers, vintage cocktails
More Top Tips for a Night Out, more than just the Pub!
Perhaps a trip to the Pub is not high on your agenda, then only a short walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa:
- Eden Court Theater & Cinema, if you are looking for a little culture then you may want to check out Eden Court Theatre & Cinema, Ness Walk Inverness. This wonderful venue hosts many International Music Acts, Ballet, Opera, Comic Acts, & Pantomime. Eden Court is also home to many popular annual exhibitions and shows. Only a 15 minute walk along the riverbank from the hotel.
- Vue Cinema Inverness, this is a fabulous venue for live music and comedy!
- Don’t want to miss out on any festivals or craft exhibitions then make sure to look at check out the Inverness Summer and Winter Festivals.
Stay With Us, A Perfect Place for Your Car Free Escape
Book your Escape and enjoy your Days Out In Inverness make sure you experience as many of the Top 15 Things To Do as possible. Stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, a family owned hotel with a reputation for a warm welcome. As our guest you will enjoy free Wi-fi and free access to the luxury leisure club and swimming pool. Make sure that you check out our Seasonal Specials for your very best offers, plus see the explore section we created to help our guests get the most out of their stay in Inverness. Remember #bookdirect for your best offers. Just call our reservations team on 01463223243 or email us at [email protected] and let your adventure begin.
