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Things to do in Inverness

Inverness is a cathedral city in the Scottish highlands. Approximately 5 hours away from Cairnryan port, it is considered to be the capital of the highlands. There are loads of things to do in Inverness.

This beautiful city is brimming with history. The city is between two historical battle sites; the 11th Century battle of Bair Nam Feinne and the 18th Century Battle of Culloden. And for those Shakespeare lovers among you Inverness was the home of King Duncan who was immortalised in the fictional play of Macbeth.

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Larne

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Cairnryan

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Things to do in Inverness
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Historical castles of Inverness
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Dolphin spotting
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Outdoor activities

Things to do in Inverness

Historic castles of Inverness

There are some great castles for you to explore in the highlands including Inverness Castle. Its stunning red sandstone building overlooks the River Ness. The current castle was built in 1836, with the original castle being built in 1057. The castle view point is a great place to go if you want a 360 view of the city and its surrounding highlands.

Urquahart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness is another popular location and is close to Inverness. Once upon a time it was one of Scotland’s largest castles and is known for holding a range of events throughout the year.

Dolphin spotting

Head to Inverness Marina for your chance to see dolphins in their natural environment. Take a trip out to Beauly, Inverness and Moray firths on a guided tour for your best chance to see dolphins.

If you love nature then this is definitely something that should be on your list of things to do in Inverness with the opportunity to also see seals, otters and a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Outdoor activities

Based in the highlands Inverness lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities from walking, bike rides or canoeing. It is also a great place to go if you want to take your dog on holiday with you. Inverness has a range of pet-friendly accommodation options.

Whether you’re interested in taking a walk around Dorres beach or getting a little further field to Nairn beach there are plenty of places you can let your dog of the lead to explore. Cairngorms National Park is also popular with dog owners and is only a 45 minute drive from Inverness. There are even dog-friendly restaurants close by.

Plan your trip to Inverness

Inverness is a five hour drive from Cairnryan port, but there are loads of great places you can stop of along the way, perhaps you want to spend a night in Glasgow, Perth or take the slight detour and spend an evening exploring the beautiful city of Edinburgh.

There are loads of benefits of travelling by ferry, such as being able to take your car, giving you the freedom to explore Scotland with no luggage limits! Our standard flexi tickets are also a great option for people that are looking for little bit of extra flexibility around the time that they sail. Or the opportunity to amend their travel dates if they need to.

On board you will find restaurants, shops and our Club Lounge if you wanted to add some luxury to your trip. There is plenty to keep you occupied during your two hour crossing, even if it is just as simple as sitting down and enjoying a nice meal as a family.