United Kingdom / Scottish Highlands & Skye / Inverness & Loch NessInverness & Loch Ness
Capital of the Highlands, at the Head of Loch Ness
The Highlands' only city, on the River Ness: Loch Ness and the ruins of Urquhart Castle half an hour south, the Culloden battlefield, Clava Cairns, and dolphins off Chanonry Point. Flights from London land here in about an hour and a half, and trains run from Edinburgh and Glasgow in about 3.5 hours; Citylink coaches go on to Skye and Fort William. Book rooms ahead in summer: the city fills with Skye-bound travellers.
Highlights
- Loch Ness cruise to Urquhart Castle
- Culloden Battlefield
- Clava Cairns
- Dolphins at Chanonry Point
- River Ness islands walk
- Day trip into the Cairngorms
Things to do
- Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart CastleMorning · 4h
- Culloden Battlefield and Clava CairnsAfternoon · 3h
- Dolphin watching at Chanonry PointMorning · 3h
- River Ness and the Ness Islands walkEvening · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Heads up
Highland Midges
From early summer to September, clouds of tiny biting midges come out on still, damp days, especially at dawn and dusk near water and in the glens. Wind and sun keep them away. Carry a repellent sold locally (Smidge and others) and a head net for evening walks, and keep car windows shut at lochside stops.
Worth knowing
Highland Winter: Short Days, Many Places Shut
From November to March many Highland B&Bs, cafés, boat trips and tours close for the season, and the Jacobite steam train doesn't run. Days are short (about six and a half hours of daylight in Inverness at midwinter), and snow and ice can close the high roads through Glencoe and to Skye for hours. Book what is open, carry warm, waterproof clothes, and check Traffic Scotland before driving.
Heads up
Rail Works: Buses Between Perth and Inverness
On 31 October-1 November and 7-8 November 2026 buses replace trains between Perth and Inverness via Aviemore, adding time to the Edinburgh and Glasgow trains. Check ScotRail before travelling on those weekends.
- Highland games — Summer gatherings across the Highlands with caber-tossing, hammer-throwing, pipe bands and Highland dancing; the Braemar Gathering on the first Saturday of September is attended by the royal family. Small local games are cheap and friendly; check each town's date.