
The Capital of the Highlands: A Sightseeing Tour of Inverness
Walking Tour
About the Tour
Join your professional guide, Andrew Baxter, as he takes you on a journey around the capital of the Highlands. You’ll explore key sites like Inverness Cathedral, Ness Island and Inverness Castle before going for a quiet riverside stroll.
Along the way, you’ll trace the city’s history back to its origins, and find out about the almost mythical tribe that made Inverness their capital. You’ll follow in the footsteps of a Celtic saint who stopped the Loch Ness Monster too, and discover a strange soothsayer who was obsessed with bridges while you wobble across the river, avoiding the sinister clutches of wee fairies.
You’ll stand in a churchyard that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s and his Jacobite supporters marched through to blow up Inverness Castle. (It was in the same churchyard that many of those soldiers were later executed by the British Army.)
But this tour is about more than just history. Andrew will also tell you what life is like in modern Inverness and why it is becoming a popular place to live and work. And if you ever wondered what is worn under a Scotsman's kilt, then you might find out the answer to that question too!
Tour Producer

Andrew Baxter
Major Landmarks
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St Andrew's Cathedral
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The Shooglie Bridge
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Old High Kirk
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Abertaff House
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The Town House
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Inverness Castle River Ness
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Ness Islands
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Eden Court Theatre
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts outside Inverness Cathedral - position yourself by the steps, below the towers, that lead to large entrance doors. It's a ten-minute walk from the city centre, bus and railway station, just follow the pedestrian signposts around the city.
There's a car park adjacent to the cathedral on Bishops Road (Postcode: IV3 5SB) where you can pay and display for your parking. It can get a bit busy here, so you may need to find a place elsewhere and walk back.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The Black Isle Brewery on Church Street, wash down freshly made pizza with locally made beer.
Inverness Museum (below the castle) with a good exhibition about the Jacobites.
Inverness Castle Viewing platform - climb one of the towers for great views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Best time of day
This route makes the perfect pre or post-dinner tour, particularly on a fine day when you can catch glorious sunsets, particularly from the high-ground by the castle.
Precautions
You can experience all four seasons in one day in the Scottish Highlands, and that included the centre of Inverness. Make sure you have a raincoat or jacket with you just in case.
Andrew is an excellent tour guide. He He knows his history and he tells a good story. He takes you to some interesting places, along a very pretty route. He has an obvious love for Inverness.