Highland culture and traditions
If your trip to Inverness and Loch Ness is inspired by all things Highland culture and traditions, then look no further, this page is packed full of great ideas to fill your itinerary full to the brim of local discoveries and cultural adventures!
Inverness is one of the best places in the Scottish Highlands to experience authentic Highland culture. Visitors interested in Scottish history, Gaelic heritage and traditional customs will find a rich introduction within the city, where exhibitions explore everything from ancient Highland life to modern traditions that still shape the region today. It’s an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to understand the people, stories and landscape that define the Highlands.
Begin your exploration at the Inverness Castle Experience, where the story of the Highlands, its clans, traditions and identity provides the perfect introduction to Scotland’s cultural heritage. From here, continue your journey to discover more about the unique history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
Explore the fascinating range of artefacts and collections that celebrate Highland life and heritage. The art galleries feature both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Tartan and Kilts
Step into the world of Highland dress and kilt history in Scotland, discovering how tartan patterns represent family and place, how kilts are traditionally worn, and why they remain one of the most recognisable symbols of Scottish culture.
The Rebel Row store in the centre of Inverness redefines tradition; their tartan creations are designed for the 21st century though inspired by the 17th (ask them about that!). Woven at their mill in Evanton, the only mill in the Highland Region Mainland, each tartan is crafted to unique designs. 100% natural fibres. Their collection, featuring names like Rebel Heart, Love Elements, Highland Stripes, and Smoulder, is made for you, their community. No surname required, if you love it, you can wear it.
Rebel Row has an exciting range of talks, experiences and classes in store for you to enjoy. Take a look to see what's on when you visit!
Discover Highland Dress at The Highland Kilt Experience
If you’ve ever admired a kilt and wondered what every piece actually means, this is your chance to find out properly.
At The Highland Kilt Experience, host Cecile offers a hands-on introduction to Scotland’s national dress, far beyond simply learning tartan names. Designed for couples, families and small groups, each session is a tailored experience exploring the history, symbolism and etiquette behind Highland dress.
And yes… you’ll try it on. This experience is interactive, informative and refreshingly relaxed, no prior knowledge required.
Another bonus is the experience takes place indoors, making it an ideal activity whatever the Highland weather decides to do.
French speakers are also in good hands, Cecile can deliver the full experience fluently in French.
Clan History and Ancestry
Finding your historic roots and ancestry linked to the Highlands of Scotland, a visit to the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness could uncover the information you are looking for. The centre is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible, archives relating to the history of the Highlands. The Family History Room contains a variety of resources which will be of use to anyone who is researching Highland roots.
From Inverness it is only a short drive to reach two of the most important sites that acted as a catalyst for an often brutal end to Highland culture and way of life at the time. You can't help but be moved at Culloden Moor where the last pitched battle on British soil took place and the Jacobite Rising came to an end in 1746. The excellent Culloden Battlefield visitor centre reveals the background to the battle and the events of that tragic day.
In the aftermath of Culloden, the imposing Fort George was built on a promontory overlooking the Moray Firth, just north of the battlefield. The government fortress was designed to prevent any further Jacobite threats. The fort is home to the Highlanders' Museum which has the largest regimental display outside London.
In the pretty settlement of Fort Augustus, travel back to 17th century Scotland at The Clansman Centre. Inside a recreated Highland turf house, an authentically dressed clansman brings the past to life in an interactive experience.
Enjoy a Dram!
Along with kilts, whisky has to be one of Scotland's most famous cultural icons so it would be rude not to sample a local malt or two.
The city centre has plenty of pubs where you can enjoy a dram but The Malt Room will satisfy both curious beginners and connoisseurs with over 350 bottlings and a range of tasting flights to choose from. The newest distillery in town is Uilebheist, opened in 2023 the distillery brews and serves their own craft beers whilst we wait for the Whisky to age.
For distilleries out of Inverness but still on our doorstep you can take a trip to North to Glen Ord Distillery and visitor centre in Muir of Ord where you can taste and experience The Singleton Distillery Tour. Or just a few miles South of Inverness is Tomatin Distillery, producing whisky since 1897 when the first formal distillery on the site was established, whisky production has been a way of life for the local community since then and Tomatin's wonderful story reflects this.
Traditional Highland Music
Nothing better to enjoy your dram with than an evening of traditional Highland music and maybe even dance! You will find some fantastic music venues in the city of Inverness that have regular live music for you to enjoy, some may even break out into a ceilidh on a good night. At MacGregor's Bar, you can experience the world famous Sunday sessions, and throughout the summer, the Highland malt whisky experience that dives deep into history, song and stories.
Hootananny's and the Highlander Bar, both located on Church street in Inverness have live music sessions to enjoy regularly throughout the week.
The nearby Eden Court is another popular venue for an evening out, with music, theatre and cinema events taking place most nights of the week.
Traditional Scottish Food
Savour the Scottish Highland Flavour!
No cultural journey is complete without tasting the local cuisine. From cosy cafés offering homemade scones and tea to restaurants serving fresh, local produce, there’s an option for every palate. You cannot miss out on trying haggis, a Scottish culinary staple! There are a huge range of local cafe's and restaurants to try the traditional favourites.
If you are looking for a special and unique experience that embodies Highland traditions, culture and food and drink, then a night at the Downright Gabbler is recommended. Delicious food and storytelling with a range of themes to choose from it really is a night you will not forget.
Shinty
Step into the world of Shinty at the authentic Scottish culture experience in Inverness at Sgeul na Camanachd, a permanent exhibition at Bught Park, Inverness, celebrating the heritage of the Highlands’ ancient sport. This immersive indoor attraction brings the history of shinty in Scotland to life through rare artefacts, digital displays and personal stories from players past and present, exploring its origins, community traditions and modern game. Visitors can discover how it evolved from a historic pastime into a living Highland tradition still played today.
Free to visit and ideal for all ages, it’s a fascinating thing to do in Inverness for anyone interested in Scottish heritage, Gaelic culture and authentic local experiences. You can also book one of the three unforgettable guided shinty experiences they have on offer.
For daytime entertainment, join spectators at one of the regular shinty fixtures in the city. The sport has been played in the region for generations and is an aspect of Highland culture often overlooked by visitors.
You will find the fixtures for the Inverness Shinty Club here so you can see if a game co-insides with your visit. Or if you are based in and around Loch Ness there is also the Glenurquhart Shinty club based in Drumnadrochit.
Highland Dancing
Highland dancing is one of the most recognisable Scottish traditions, and an essential part of Highland culture in Scotland. Often performed at Highland Games, festivals and cultural events across the Highlands, this traditional Scottish dance combines precise footwork, strength and storytelling, with routines such as the Highland Fling and Sword Dance passed down through generations.
Dancers wear full Highland dress, including kilt and tartan, reflecting clan heritage and ceremonial customs. Originating from clan celebrations and warrior training, Highland dancing has evolved into a competitive sport and cultural performance still taught to children and adults throughout the region.
For visitors looking for authentic cultural experiences and things to do in Inverness, you can learn about Highland dancing with Cheryl Heggie School of Dance. As well as performing locally, you can book them for a Highland Dancing lesson, a really fun experience!
History
As already explained above many of our historic locations will take you on an educational journey as to how historic events have shaped Highland cultures and traditions to this very day.
Find out more about discovering our historic landscape and visiting some of the most iconic and interesting historical locations during your visit.
Engage with the locals
Highlanders are famously friendly and often have the best tips and stories. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation, you may be amazed what you might learn.
One of the most popular locals, that will happily pose for you are the very photogenic Heilan' Coo's - Highland Cows and they can be found dotted all over Inverness and Loch Ness, you can find out where using the interactive map HERE
