Inverness gets called the gateway to the Highlands, and honestly, that tracks. The River Ness runs right through the middle of the city, there are castles and churches all over the skyline, and it ended up being the perfect first stop on our Scotland trip — close enough to everything we wanted to see, easy enough to navigate with two toddlers in tow.
We flew into Inverness Airport, which is small and easy to get through, and rented a car through Sixt. Within the first hour of landing, we’d already noticed how genuinely kind everyone in Scotland was — strangers helping with bags, giving directions before we even asked. Good first impression.
This post contains affiliate links, including Viator booking links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Where to Stay in Inverness with Kids
We spent two nights just outside the city at Thorabella Farms, and it was such a good call. My kids are obsessed with animals and open space, so a working farm with a play area and animals to feed was basically perfect for them. We stayed in one of the tiny homes on the property — private, cozy, and different from any other hotel stay on the trip.
If a farm stay isn’t your thing here are a few other solid options in Inverness:
- Ness Walk Hotel – a luxury stay right on the River Ness.
- Loch Ness Lodge – boutique and charming, with beautiful views.
- Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel – right across from Inverness Castle.
- AC Hotel Inverness – modern, clean and a good budget-friendly option.
Best Things to Do in Inverness with Kids
- Loch Ness Cruise was one of the highlights of the whole trip. The kids loved being on the water, and we all spent the ride scanning for Nessie (no luck, but the scenery alone makes it worth it). You’ve got options here — shorter 50–60 minute cruises if your kids have short attention spans, or longer 2–3 hour versions that stop at Urquhart Castle with guided commentary. We went short since we had toddlers with us, and it was the right call.
- Urquhart Castle sits right on Loch Ness and is part ruin, part museum — genuinely fun for kids to climb around the old walls and towers. The views over the water are stunning.
- Inverness Castle was closed for renovations when we visited, but it’ll be worth checking out once it reopens.
- Ness Islands Walk & Ness Island Railway is a peaceful little stroll, and if you’re there in summer, there’s a miniature railway that the kids will love.
- Whin Park, right next to Ness Islands, has a playground that’s great for letting little ones burn off energy.
- Leakey’s Bookshop is a magical, secondhand bookstore inside an old church — worth popping into even if you don’t buy anything. Although fair warning: my son started full-on screaming in there and we had to make a quick exit. Worth it anyway.
- Miele’s Gelateria , right by the bookshop, is the perfect stop right after.
- Victorian Market is a covered market with shops and a food hall — easy to wander with kids in tow.
Family Friendly Inverness: Things to Do Nearby
- Clava Cairns is a 4,000-year-old burial site with preserved stone circles. It’s free, easy to walk around, and the kids genuinely enjoyed exploring the stones. If you’re an Outlander fan, this one’s a must.
- Culloden Battlefield is a short drive away and marks the site of the 1746 battle between the Jacobites and the British Army. There’s an interactive visitor center that makes the history land for kids, and walking the actual battlefield is genuinely moving.
- Quila Cridhe Tearoom is a cozy little spot that’s especially fun with kids because you can pet Highland cows right outside.
Where to Eat in Inverness with Kids
Breakfast:
Lunch & Dinner in Inverness
- Black Isle Brewery – great pizza, beer
- Urquhart’s – local food, casual
- The Kitchen Restaurant – ask for a 3rd-floor table, the views are worth it
- Fig & Thistle
- The Victorian Market – a food hall with plenty of options if everyone wants something different
- Highland Food & Drink Trail – rotating food trucks, kid-friendly
- The Castle Tavern – good patio seating
- Uilebheist Brewery – fun, family friendly atmosphere)
Family Friendly Inverness: Best Day Trips with Kids
- Eilean Donan Castle is about two hours away and one of the most photographed castles in Scotland — sitting on its own little island where three lochs meet. Part of it is restored and open to explore, but honestly even just walking the grounds is worth the drive.
- Castle Leod is the seat of Clan Mackenzie and reportedly the inspiration for Castle Leoch in Outlander. The family still lives there, so it feels a lot more authentic and a lot less touristy than some of the bigger castle stops. Check opening days before you go.
- Findhorn is a charming little fishing village on the Moray Coast. We had a great dinner at The Captain’s Table right by the marina, and the beach is perfect for a stroll and some rock-throwing while you watch the boats come in.
- Lossiemouth has sandy beaches and a dramatic coastline — good for a beach day, watching surfers, or spotting planes from the nearby RAF base.
- Isle of Skye technically works as a day trip from here, but I’d really encourage you to stay there for a few nights instead. It’s one of the most magical places I’ve ever been, and a day trip doesn’t do it justice.
Final Thoughts
We loved our time in Inverness. It was the perfect first stop on our Scotland trip — easy to get around, full of history, and genuinely great for families. Between the farm stay, the Loch Ness cruise, and all the day trip options, it struck a good balance of fun and culture without feeling rushed.
From Inverness, we headed to the Isle of Skye, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle along the way. And if you’re curious exactly how we booked this whole UK trip — what we paid, what we used points for, all of it — that full breakdown is here.
Before You Go
I put together a free Hotel Upgrade Guide with the exact strategies I use to get room upgrades, resort credits, and better rates. Grab it below.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’re planning your own trip to Inverness and the Highlands and want help with where to stay or building out the right itinerary, I do this for families all the time and it costs you nothing.
Shoot me an email at [email protected] and tell me where you’re headed.
