Rainy Days? We’ve got you covered ....literally!
The weather in Inverness and Loch Ness can be a little unpredictable, but that never gets in the way of a great day out! You can experience a light drizzle or a full-on Highland downpour, and there are plenty of brilliant indoor attractions and cosy experiences to enjoy, whatever the forecast.
Castles and Museums
The first indoor activity that comes to mind for a rainy day is visiting a castle or museum.
They sometimes have the added bonus of offering a coffee shop where you can enjoy a nice coffee or hot chocolate to warm up! A good start is a visit to the famous Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness. Even though Urquhart Castle is a ruin and has no roof, there is a fascinating visitor centre where you can stay dry and find out all about the castle’s history. If history is your thing, head out to Ardersier to explore Fort George and the Highlanders Museum or take an emotive journey around the Culloden visitor centre and learn all about the Jacobite uprising and IF the weather is kind, there is the battlefield as well.
If the holiday budget is already a bit stretched, try Inverness Museum and Art Gallery in the city centre. Entry is free and you can spend time exploring the history of the Highlands.
A wet day should not put you off one of the main attractions of the area – Loch Ness! You can sit in the heated saloon of one of the cruise boats on the Loch, enjoy a coffee and look out for Nessie without getting your waterproofs out.
While you’re in the area, take some time to visit Drumnadrochit and The Loch Ness Centre or Nessieland where you can find out more about the Nessie legend – needless to say there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a coffee or a wander round the village shops and Loch Ness Visitor Hub to keep the chill out!
Head over to our Things To Do page to find out where you can catch a Loch Ness cruise and find out more about Nessie!
A dram in the dry!
When it rains, We pour… whisky! 🥃
A rainy day in the Highlands is the perfect excuse to explore one of our local whisky distilleries – after all, without the rain, there’d be no water to make whisky!
In the heart of Inverness, you’ll find Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, a modern distillery and brewery offering guided tours and tastings of their unique range of craft beers and Highland drams.
Just a short drive away near Beauly, The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery invites you to enjoy guided tours, whisky tastings, and a beautifully designed visitor centre. Pair your dram with one of their delicious food platters for the full experience.
And if you’re heading south of Inverness, don’t miss Tomatin Distillery – a warm and welcoming stop for those wanting an authentic taste of the Highlands without travelling far.
Rain or shine, a whisky experience is always a good idea.
Take a trip to the theatre or cinema
Why not see a show or movie at Eden Court? This is the main theatre and entertainment venue in the Highlands of Scotland. Set on the riverside in Inverness, Eden Court has two theatres and two cinemas. Plus a cafe-bar and restaurant. Check out what’s on at Eden Court.
If you're a movie buff and love all the blockbusters, you can also take a visit to the Vue Cinema at the Inverness retail park slightly East of Inverness.
Indoor gardens and nature
Step out of the rain and into a tropical oasis at the Inverness Botanic Gardens. Wander through lush greenery, exotic plants, and vibrant floral displays of the two large glass houses. One tropical and one cactus – all under glass, and all beautifully dry!
You can remain dry and enjoy lunch or a tasty treat from the cafe, with a brilliant choice of food options on offer.
It’s a peaceful, feel-good way to enjoy nature, whatever the weather, and a perfect hidden gem for a rainy day in the Highlands.
Retail Therapy
Rain never stops shopping!
Searching for that perfect gift, something to remind you of your holiday or just simply to get yourself a treat, Inverness has a great range of shops on the High street and not forgetting the Eastgate shopping centre .
The Victorian Market with it's newly refurbished food hall is a wonderful undercover place to explore, with a great selection of independent and unique shops on offer
If you want to find out more about shopping in Inverness and Loch Ness, take a look at our shop till you drop blog for all the shopping top tips!
Let off steam!
We are lucky to have some great leisure facilities including the Inverness Leisure complex with Swimming pool, water slides and gym. A great way to burn off some energy but you will get wet, just not outside! You could also check out the public skating times at the Inverness Ice centre.
Bowling
Strike up some fun on a rainy day!
When the rain starts to fall, why not head indoors and enjoy some classic fun with a game of bowling? It’s the perfect all-weather activity for families, couples, and friends!
If you're aiming for a serious strike or just in it for the laughs, bowling in Inverness is a great way to stay dry, stay active, and keep the good times rolling.
You could head to Infinity Trampoline Park in Inverness and swap grey skies for gravity-defying fun. With wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and high-energy zones, it’s the perfect place to let loose, burn off some energy, and keep everyone smiling – no matter the weather.
Great for kids, teens, and grown-up jumpers too – it’s fun for all ages, come rain or shine!
Inverness and Loch Ness Indoor Activities
One thing is for certain, we cannot control the weather! But with these great indoor activity ideas we think we have proved that you can still have a fun packed time on a rainy day in Inverness and Loch Ness no matter what. Not forgetting that you can also wrap up warm and enjoy the outdoors too! Have you heard the old saying ... there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.
For more ideas on activities both indoors and out, go to our Discovery Hub where you will find inspiration for across the whole destination.