Historical places of interest in and around Inverness
There have been civilisations in this area for at least 4,000 years. So, there are plenty of places of interest for history lovers to visit in and around Inverness. From the Clava Cairns, pre-historic burial grounds dating from around 2000 BC, to Culloden Battlefield, the 18th-century battleground where one of the most tragic events in Scottish history took place.
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Explore historical sites below…
Where to begin
Start your exploration at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where you’ll discover the story of Inverness and the Highlands, right from its very origins. See how our dramatic landscape was formed over 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Then follow the museum’s timeline through the ages, learning about the many peoples and events that shaped our history.
In the city
In Inverness city centre, we have many historical sites and landmarks. Such as Inverness Castle, Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Town House, The Victorian Market, Abertarff House and Falcon Square. Follow the Inverness Historic Trail for a tour of these fascinating city centre buildings and more.
Surrounding area
The Clava Cairns is one of the oldest prehistoric sites in Scotland. An ancient cemetery, with burial cairns and standing stones. For those interested in the Jacobite Risings and military history, there’s Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and the Highlanders’ Museum. We have several Scottish castles near Inverness, including Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness and Cawdor Castle in nearby Nairn. There are local museums, exploring different parts of Scottish history. Hugh Miller’s Birthplace looks at the life and works of the 19th century geologist. The Groam House Museum exhibits Celtic and Pictish Art. Walkers can climb Craig Phadrig within an hour. This forested hill with wonderful views is said to be the fort of Pictish King, Bridei mac Maelchon.
