Photo by Lewis McCracken on Unsplash
Scotland is a beautiful country with so much for families to see and do, and Inverness is no exception. Nestled on the northeast coast, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, it’s the largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Inverness is steeped in history and natural beauty, and is a great base for exploring the surrounding area. With this in mind, I thought I’d share some of the best things for families to do when visiting Inverness:
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
One of the most iconic and well-known locations in Scotland, Loch Ness is just a 30-minute car journey south in Inverness Taxis. Shrouded in mystery and legend, head out on a boat trip to learn more about the Loch Ness Monster and all the tales and stories of how she came to be. Afterwards, pay a trip to the ancient ruins of Urquhart Castle, which is perched on a vantage point above the loch and provides spectacular views for miles around – a great day out for the whole family!
Inverness Aquadome
The Inverness Aquadome Leisure Waters pool features a massive wave pool with water geysers. From the wave pool you can move into the River which will take you on a fairly rapid journey around the pool and from there you can move into the ‘thistle shaped’ outdoor pool, also with geysers and bubble jets. In addition, you can also take the challenge of the three exciting flumes or just relax in a family spa bath. The leisure pool also has an area dedicated purely for babies, toddlers and small children, making it perfect for young families.
The Victorian Market
Retail therapy becomes that bit more interesting when you veer off the high street path, in search of something a bit different. Inverness has exactly that, with its Victorian Market which dates back to 1890. Dozens of unique, independent businesses are cloistered within, offering visitors a classic and alternative shopping experience. Red steel arches and lanterns line the main thoroughfare, while the old clock leads into a circuit of brightly coloured facades. You’ll find gift shops, tea rooms, beauty buys, a florist and a joke shop.
Culloden Battlefield
If you are interested in Scottish History then we highly recommend the Culloden Battlefield tour as the haunting atmosphere of this desolate moorland is still very sad and moving. Culloden Battlefield has been returned to a similar appearance as it would have had in 1745. The moor is marked with the burial sites of the dead of the clans, and flags mark the positions of the Jacobite clans and the Government troops. Possibly one for slightly older kids, but an interesting day out, nonetheless.
Inverness Kart Raceway
Inverness Kart Raceway is a modern, go-karting arena, featuring state-of-the-art track and timing systems. In fact, it’s the only 5-star karting centre of its kind in the North of Scotland! The best bit about being indoors is that you can enjoy a day of driving no matter the weather. It’s fun for the whole family too, as you can choose to drive a dual kart and share the thrill of the race with smaller kids while still keeping the wheel in your hands!
