Looking for places to visit near Inverness? Here are some of our favourite towns and villages, ideal for a day trip during your stay in the Scottish Highlands.
< Go Back to Things to DoThe city of Inverness lies on the northeast coast of Scotland by the Beauly Firth and Moray Firth. Located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, it is the perfect base for exploring our magnificent part of the world. With the most spectacular scenery, a rich and fascinating history, and lots of wonderful attractions and activities to discover.
Many lovely villages, and a small number of towns, surround our city. Places to visit nearby include Beauly, Muir of Ord, Avoch, Fortrose, Rosemarkie, Dingwall and Nairn. All are within a half-hour drive of Inverness and make for a great day out.
Venturing south of Inverness, you’ll find the famous Loch Ness. It’s the largest loch or lake in Britain by water volume. But of course, that’s not what makes this loch famous. That’s down to the myths and legends of Loch Ness. Everyone has heard of our Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie as she’s affectionately known. A mythical serpentine beast, said to lurk in the waters. People come from all over the world, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But even if you don’t spot her, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to Loch Ness.
There are several villages to visit around the loch. Such as, Drumnadrochit (home of Nessie), Dores, Foyers, Invermoriston and Fort Augustus. The Loch Ness 360° is a circular walking and cycling route, which loops around the entire loch. With dramatic viewpoints, historic attractions and Highland villages along the way, this is a great way to see Loch Ness, if you fancy a challenge!