The most northerly city in the UK and often regarded as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness is steeped in history and surrounded by some of the most astonishing natural beauty in Scotland. The region’s picturesque glens and rugged mountains are sure to appeal to hikers and lovers of the outdoors in general, with the latter also providing skiing opportunities at the likes of the Nevis Range and Glenshee resorts.
Located on the banks of the River Ness and near to famous Loch Ness, local people have long used these clear waters for traditional industries such as distilling, making cheap flights to Inverness an ideal proposition for whiskey connoisseurs. A centre of Scottish heritage, the city also hosts the annual Highland Games and is an ideal base for those wishing to tour sites related to the clans among whom the area was once divided.
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The city is prone to warm summers, with long days and temperatures reaching highs of almost 30 degrees in previous years. Inverness also sometimes experiences some of the coldest winters of any destination in the UK, with average temperatures of around zero or minus one degrees. The summer months of June, July and August are generally the warmest, and winter months from December to February the coolest.
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Peak Season:
Tourism in Inverness peaks during the summer, particularly during the months of July, August, and September, as this is when weather is likely to be warmest and driest. This is reflected in travel and accommodation prices and availability.
Off Season:
The winter months, when Inverness is most likely to experience its coldest weather, constitute the city’s quietest period in terms of tourism.
Shoulder Seasons:
Late spring, for instance the months of April and May, or early autumn, for instance October, are good times to visit outside of the height of the peak season. The weather may still be favourable, but the prices will not be as high. Hotel chains and hostels generally offer discounts during these times. Airlines, particularly the domestic low-costers, will have sales featuring cheap flights to Inverness during these times too.
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Most of the main tourist sites within the city of Inverness are within walking distance.
However, bus services provided by the Stagecoach company are available within the city and to other locations nearby.
Rail connections also exist from Inverness to towns in the surrounding area such as Tain and Nairn.
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- Famous Loch Ness is within easy reach from Inverness at only around 37km away, and features Urquhart Castle, one of the largest in Scotland, on its rocky shore. The loch itself, an expansive freshwater lake with a surface area of over 56km, is one of the most iconic and beautiful of Scotland’s natural attractions.
- The Inverness Highland Games should not be missed if visiting in June. The traditional annual event has been held in Inverness since 1821 and includes track and field athletics events, the caber toss, highland dance, piping, and more.
- Inverness Museum and Art Gallery has an expansive range of material in its collections, encompassing natural history, archaeology, local history and art. Having opened in 1826, it is Inverness’s first museum and is located in the city’s historic centre.
- Culloden Battlefield, site of a famous confrontation in the 18th century Jacobite Rising, has been restored to resemble its former condition and now has its own visitors’ centre, which includes an interactive exhibition detailing what, took place there. Within the immerse Battle Zone, visitors can get an idea of what it would have been like to have been in the conflict.
- The Dalmore Distillery in nearby Alness offers tours for those interested in learning about the workings and history of a long-established Highland whiskey company. Established in 1839 on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, the distillery’s warehouses contain some of the world’s oldest whiskey stocks.
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