Inverness is a gorgeous city, nestled between the magnificent Moray Firth and River Ness. Being the largest city in the Scottish Highlands and a cultural center, Inverness is an excellent tourist destination and is usually frequented by people looking to explore its beautiful landscapes, prehistoric sites, and medieval ruins. Although there are many things in Inverness to fill up your itinerary, it is more rewarding to take a short trip to other renowned attractions in the vicinity. Scroll down to see our list of the best day trips from Inverness, UK, to discover destinations that hold fun, entertainment, and the utmost in relaxation for the whole family.
1. Keith
Keith, in Moray, although a relatively small town, has many attractions worth exploring. First, the town has four distilleries that produce top-quality whiskey and other spirits. What’s more, Keith provides access to the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail and Scotland’s oldest working distillery, which holds the ultimate whiskey blend experience. As an enthusiast of spirits and blended products, your day tour to Keith will a memorable experience that can only be described as fun and informative because you’ll get to taste and learn about different types of good scotch.
Before completing your Keith tour, browse through its traditional shops and restaurants for some souvenirs and great meals.
2. Glasgow (from USD 309.0)
On average, it takes approximately three hours to visit Glasgow when visiting from Inverness and so it is important to start your journey a bit early, so you will have ample time to explore all the popular spots in Glasgow. On this trip, ensure you stop by the People’s Palace and the Gallery of Modern Art to gain historical and cultural insight into the region from the huge collection of photographs, films, prints, and other pieces of art contained in their archives.
The streets of Glasgow also have a lot to offer. Make sure to check out the magnificent Glasgow Green and landmarks like the cathedral and the statue of the Duke of Wellington.
Half-Day Private Glasgow Must-Sees Tour
Duration: 5 hours
3. Edinburgh (from USD 19.0)
You need a whole day to explore the variety of tourist attractions in Edinburgh. The city is renowned for its sightseeing tours, which makes maneuvering the town and its beautiful countryside easy and enjoyable. Here, you will be driven through some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, including the National Museum, Royal Mile, and Edinburgh Castle, which holds the crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, among other important memories in the Scottish rich history.
With the bus tours, you won’t miss anything – most of them have open tops and their terms are flexible, so you can stop in any area of your interest and hop on another bus to your next destination.
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Duration: 1 hour
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4. St Andrews
Another amazing destination for a day trip is St Andrews, a popular seaside town that is famous for many things, among them ancient buildings like St Andrews Cathedral, which holds a comprehensive collection of beautiful relics, sculptures, and other medieval artwork. The city also boasts a Secret Bunker, which is hidden in one of the local farms – the bunker was meant to be a safe house of the Scottish government in case of a nuclear or another World War.
St Andrews Aquarium is another spot worth visiting, especially if you love sea animals. The facility is home to a variety of captivating sea animals, including seals and British sharks.
5. Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a hidden gem on the northeast coast of Scotland, not a long drive from Inverness. Many people who visit Aberdeen spend a significant amount of their time at the beach swimming, sunbathing, or strolling leisurely on the long stretch of soft sand. The Aberdeen Beachfront is packed with ice cream shops, cafés, and art galleries, where you can grab eat, drink, and shop for souvenirs before proceeding to your next destination at Slain Castle.
Here, if you are a fan of Dracula, you will have a lot of fun at the former gothic church, which has been transformed into a fantastic Dracula-inspired pub and restaurant.
6. Linlithgow
History and culture are the major highlights of the Old Town of Linlithgow. The town is home to many ancient structures that give tourists a view of how life used to be in Linlithgow centuries ago.
Here, a great place to start your day tour is at Linlithgow Palace, the former residence of Stewart royals and the birthplace of Queen Mary of Scots. At Linlithgow Palace, you can learn more about ancient Scottish administration and, with its numerous rooms and stairs, kids are guaranteed a great time playing pretend, among other games. From the castle, head to the Linlithgow Canal Centre for a sightseeing cruise with a range of state-of-the-art vessels.
7. Plockton
A significant number of tourists often skip Plockton for other attractions in the vicinity, disregarding it as a mere village. Well, it may be a small village, but its charms are unbeatable. First, the town has a great setting, as it is nestled in the bay of Loch Carron.
The views of this extensive lake from the village are breathtaking. A boat cruise would be an excellent way to explore its coral beaches, secluded bays, and a wide array of aquatics. Here you will be taken through an area where you can see many seals basking on floating rocks – take plenty of pictures because such views are not common to many places.
8. Isle of Skye (from USD 131.27)
A day trip from Inverness to the Isle of Skye is very rewarding, considering the countless attractions that await you on the way and destination of your tour. Among the other things that compel tourists to visit the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools and Portree top the list. But, before these spots, ensure that you stop along the way at Loch Ness to explore the freshwaters which are rumored to be habituated by a cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, dubbed Nessie.
At the Fairy Pools, you can take a relaxing deep in its crystal blue waters or a nature walk on the stunning trails surrounding the pools.
From Inverness: Isle of Skye Full-Day Trip
Duration: 12.0 hour
9. Loch Ness (from USD 27.0)
The Scottish Highland is a famous tourist destination among water enthusiasts because of its pristine lochs and exquisite boat cruise trips. There is a lot to explore in this area, hence the need to focus on a single spot at a time. In this light, you can start at Loch Ness, where you can take a boat cruise to Urquhart Castle to learn more about the role it held during the Wars of Independence.
At the castle, you can explore the ruins, take leisurely strolls around the compound and, if you packed a picnic, there is a beautiful lawn where you can sit and enjoy a nice meal with your family and friends.
Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle
Duration: 2 hour
10. Stirling (from USD 18.0)
A day trip from Inverness to Stirling offers tourists a unique opportunity to experience Scottish royalty at Stirling Castle. The castle is a former residence of significant Scottish royalty, like Mary Queen and James IV and, over the years, it has been graced by notable figures, including ambassadors, knights, and nobles. Those who visit today get to interact with costumed characters portraying different people of the time, including bodyguards, royal maids, and other officials who used to work in the castle.
The castle also features other important highlights, including the Great Hall, a museum, and a palace vault, which is a favorite among kids who like dressing up and playing different instruments.
Stirling Castle Entrance Ticket with Royal Palace Access
Duration: 3 hours
Most rewarding trips from Inverness
Are you in Inverness and want to make the most of your visit to the Scottish Highlands? Consider our list of the best day trips from Inverness, Scotland, for a fun-filled, entertaining, and fulfilling holiday.
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