20+ of the Best Free Things to do in Inverness

If you’re visiting Inverness, the UK’s northernmost city, and looking for the best free things to do in Inverness you’re in the right place.

I recently spent a month living in Inverness as part of our year in travel and scoured the city looking for the best things to do in Inverness Scotland.

From what to do in Inverness without a car, to the best things to do on Loch Ness and more of the surrounding Sottish Highlands, I found some awesome fun things to do in Inverness for free.

You can wander the Ness Islands and discover the Caledonian Canal, hear live bagpipes in Inverness city centre, and learn more about the area’s history on visits to places near Inverness like the Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield.

If you’re wondering what to do in Inverness for free, then be sure to read on!

Best free things to do in Inverness Scotland

Map of the best things to do in Inverness Scotland

Here’s a map highlighting my favorite activities in Inverness, Scotland.

This map showcases top attractions, dining spots, cafes, and recommended day trips from Inverness. To view the map and use it for your trip planning, just click on the image below or click here to open it directly in your Google Maps app.

Visit the Ness Islands

Ness Islands was my go-to spot in Inverness. Whenever I was there, I’d often take strolls or runs around it.

If you’re near the city center, you can begin your journey from the Inverness Cathedral or wander along Ness Walk and past all the food trucks that line the pathway.

You could also start from the Botanic Gardens Inverness and combine a walk around the Ness Islands with Whin Park, the Inverness Hydro Sculpture and Information Point, and the Caledonian Canal.

As you walk, you’ll be beside the pretty River Ness, and cross over some beautiful old Victorian bridges. These bridges have an old-school vibe and are a bit wobbly!

Keep an eye out for a log shaped like the Loch Ness Monster!

Visit Inverness Castle

Overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle stands high and is a must-see during your visit to Inverness.

Though currently closed for huge renovations, Inverness Castle is slated to reopen in 2025 as a hub for the unique culture and spirit of the Scottish Highlands.

There are plans to have a dedicated space to showcase Highland music and a dining space too.

For now, you can enjoy seeing the castle from the outside as you walk around the city or along the river.

Catch some live music in Inverness

Listening to live music in Inverness is one of the best free things to do in Inverness.

Sure, you might buy a drink, but the music? That’s on the house making it one of the best free things to do in Inverness at night (or at least pretty cheap).

Inverness is alive with the sounds of bagpipes, fiddles, and folk tunes in numerous bars in the city center.

It’s the kind of music that makes you want to join in and feel the Scottish spirit.

Hootananny on Church Street is a top place for live music, but there are so many spots. I recommend just walking through the centre in the evening and heading into wherever you feel like.

Visit the Beauly Priory

Step into the historic Beauly Priory, one of the best places to see near Inverness for free.

Beauly meaning ‘beautiful place’, was one of three priories founded in Scotland around 1230 for monks from near Dijon in France.

Though only the abbey church still stands today, this old monastery takes you back in time and you can still admire the stone archways and architecture of the priory.

As you stroll around, you can get a feel for the history and imagine the monks who once lived and prayed there.

Browse the shelves at Leaky’s Bookstore

For book lovers like me, Leaky’s Bookstore in Inverness is a treat.

It’s like stepping into a magical world, almost like you’re at Hogwarts. Books cover every inch, and it feels like they might just come to life like in the films.

This two-storey second hand bookshop, connected by a spiral staircase, is one of Scotland’s best second-hand bookstores.

Since 1979, the same family has looked after it, filling its shelves with a mix of books, maps, and prints.

The building too is beautiful as the store is set in an old Gaelic Church from the 18th century.

• Opening Times: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5.30 pm

Visit Clootie Well near Inverness

Close to Inverness is a magical spot known as Clootie Well.

This age-old pilgrimage site is steeped in traditions that predate even Christian times, tracing back to the Celtic era.

Here, you’ll find trees adorned with strips of cloth, known as “cloots” in Scots. These cloots aren’t just decorations; they carry wishes, hopes, and prayers.

Long ago, people believed that tying a cloth that touched a sick person could cure illnesses. So, they’d walk around the well three times, splash its water, pray, and tie their cloot.

Some even believed leaving sick children overnight at the well would heal them.

Today, the well remains a beacon of hope and belief.

You can take a walk down the woodland path leading to the well to see this interesting site and it’s a must-visit free attraction near Inverness.

Visit Loch Ness Scotland

Loch Ness is home to myths, legends, and breathtaking Scottish beauty.

Surrounded by green hills, this deep blue water body is famous for the tales of the Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie”.

Whether or not you spot the elusive creature, you can enjoy walking alongside the loch at Dores Beach, enjoying the views from the drive on either the north or south side of the loch and visiting the quaint villages nearby.

Have a beach day near Inverness

While Inverness is often celebrated for its historical attractions there are also loads of places near the city where you can escape to the beach and take a beach day.

Nairn is one of the best towns close to Inverness for a beach day. It’s a short drive from Inverness and has a wide sandy beach.

Enjoy reading a book on the beach, making sandcastles, or playing in the waves, and be sure to stay for sunset as they are often super beautiful here!

Wander the Inverness Victorian Public Market

The Inverness Victorian Market is housed in a beautiful Victorian building that is filled with life, from unique shops to cozy cafes.

Here, history meets the present, with stalls showing off the city’s trading past and the buzz of local businesses.

If you’re looking for somewhere for lunch in Inverness, the market’s got you covered.

There’s a newly opened food hall where you can grab a tasty lunch or early dinner.

If you’re around on a summer Friday, you might even catch some live music as you hang out with pals.

Finding the entrance can be a tad tricky, but keep an eye out for the A-frame signs pointing the way!

Go to the Culloden Battlefield

History comes alive at the Culloden Battlefield another of the top Inverness attractions that are free to visit.

As the site of the last major battle fought on British soil, it holds significant importance. Here, in 1746, the Jacobite forces were defeated, marking a pivotal turn in British history.

Today, you can walk on the grounds which are marked by gravestones of the clans that participated in the battle. There are some signs with information about the battle and the area’s history scattered across the fields too which help paint a picture of the clash, strategies, and outcomes.

Visit the Inverness Botanic Gardens

The Inverness Botanical Gardens are a hidden gem, offering a slice of nature in the heart of the city.

From the outside, you might underestimate it, but step in and you’re in for a surprise.

There’s a cute café at the entrance with both indoor and outdoor seating and then there are a few different greenhouse conservatories as well as outdoor areas to explore.

Be amazed by the vibrant tropical greenhouse, admire the stark beauty of the cactus house, and perhaps get inspired by the thriving vegetable patch.

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am to 4 pm
• Tickets: Free, donations welcomed

Wander the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG)

Next to the iconic Inverness Castle and overlooking the River Ness, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG) is a great place to visit for free in Inverness.

Full of history, art, and culture if you’re looking for things to do in Inverness in the rain, this is one of the best activities.

Wander over 3 floors of exhibitions and over 100,000 items from age-old artifacts to contemporary artworks.

Dive deep into the rich tapestry of the Highlands, explore Gaelic traditions, the Jacobite uprisings, the clearances, and life in 20th-century Inverness.

Whether you’re drawn by the ever-changing exhibitions, local art, or something else, visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in Inverness.

See dolphins at Chanonry Point

Chanonry Point on the Black Isle near Inverness is one of the best places to visit near Inverness for free. At this beautiful beach spot, you can see dolphins in the wild and it was even better than I thought it was going to be!

As the tide transitions from low to hide tide the dolphins come into the Firth and play in the waters while they fish.

The best time to see the dolphins at Chanonry Point is said to be in the hour after low tide.

During our stay in Inverness, we went to the beach twice. The first time was amazing, but the second time we didn’t see any dolphins so it was a bit hit-and-miss.

The beach gets busy with people hoping to see the dolphins and it’s such a fun thing to do for free in Inverness.

Walk or bike along the Caledonian Canal

The Caledonian Canal in Inverness is a must-visit for anyone looking for easy Inverness walks.

The canal has a flat, paved path running alongside it and runs from the sea all the way to Loch Ness. As it leaves the city the path becomes a bit more gravelly, but it’s nothing too hard for bikes, or prams.

You can watch boats navigate the canal’s lochs as you walk from Torvean car park towards the sea, or walk towards Loch Ness for more of a wild, nature-fuelled adventure.

Catch the weekly bagpipe band

Every summer on Tuesday evenings a bagpipe band takes to the streets of the centre of Inverness and puts on a free show to watch

We stumbled across this completely by accident and it was fun to watch!

The band is the Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band and if you’re looking to hear some traditional Scottish bagpipe music then this is one of the best ways to do so.

See the Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns takes you on a journey back in time and though it might not sound like the most interesting thing to see near Inverness, this prehistoric site, made up of big stone circles, is shrouded in mystery and history.

These standing stones and circles are believed to be from the Bronze Age and are thought to have been significant for rituals or ceremonies.

Walking amidst these ancient stones, you can’t help but wonder about their stories and the significance they held.

Take a walk in the forests

Given Inverness’ location in the Scottish Highlands, it’s not surprising that there are so many beautiful places to go for a walk near Inverness.

Besides the Caledonian Canal, there’s Reelig Glen which is a beautiful forest with ancient trees, offering a peaceful environment for a walk or a hike.

Another great place for a walk near Inverness is Craig Phadrig. This is a historical site with its ancient hill fort that dates way back.

The Abriachan Forest is a community-owned forest where you can explore several walking and cycling trails, or simply enjoy the scenic views. You can find hidden huts and carved wooden benches making it fun to explore.

Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!

Visit Glen Affric

If you’re searching for a piece of Scotland’s breathtaking natural beauty, Glen Affric is the place to be.

Often called the most beautiful glen in Scotland, Glen Affric is a beautiful area made up of pine forests, lakes, and mountains.

When you visit, you’re greeted by the sounds of nature, whether it’s the rustling of leaves, the distant call of a bird, or the gentle flow of water.

Perfect for hiking or a leisurely walk, the trails offer picturesque views everywhere.

My favorite places to visit in Glen Affric were Loch Affric, Plodda Falls (pictured), and Dog Falls, but there are loads of beautiful places to see in Glen Affric.

See the Inverness Cathedral

When in Inverness be sure to take a walk to see the Inverness Cathedral and admire it from both inside and out.

You won’t have to pay anything to enter, but giving a little donation to help with the building’s care is welcomed.

The Cathedral is dedicated to St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and inside you’ll find some beautiful archways and architecture.

A visit here won’t take long, but it’s still one of the top things to do in Inverness for free.

Have fun at Whin Park

One of the best things to do in Inverness for kids is to visit Whin Park.

This park has loads of green space and kids’ playgrounds, duck ponds and it’s in a beautiful spot alongside the River Ness. There are also boat rentals so you can paddle around on the ponds in the park too.

It’s the perfect place for a picnic in Inverness and children love it! If you’re looking for free things to do in Inverness for families this is a great place to spend the day.

FAQs about what to do in Inverness for free

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Inverness for free

Inverness in Scotland is a great city that makes a great base for exploring the Scottish Highlands.

If you’re staying in Inverness and trying to stick to a budget, these things to do in Inverness for free, show that you can enjoy the city without spending a lot of money.

From watching dolphins at Chanonry Point to learning about the battles at Culloden Moor, or trying to find the Loch Ness monster, there are so many free things to do near Inverness.

If you’re extending your trip to Scotland, be sure to check out these things to do in Glasgow for free, and what to do in Edinburgh for free.

I’ve also got a guide to the best walks in the Cairngorms National Park which are free, and great walking trails in Loch Lomond as well as these hikes and walks in Glencoe.

For more ideas, be sure to check out my Scotland travel guides!