Free things to do in Inverness and Loch Ness
Enjoy a visit to Inverness and Loch Ness without hurting the bank balance and try these things you can do for free.
There’s no need to break the bank when visiting Inverness and Loch Ness. This part of the Scottish Highlands is packed with fun, engaging and memorable experiences that won’t cost you a penny. Beautiful natural landscapes and fascinating a past, and rich local culture, can be enjoyed for free. The more you save on activities, the more you can spend sampling the city’s fantastic pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Exploring Inverness city centre is an experience in itself. As a compact and walkable city, Inverness is best discovered on foot, making it easy to spend a full day wandering between its old and new quarters. As you stroll, you’ll uncover layers of history, admire striking architecture and follow the River Ness as it winds through the heart of the city. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of free attractions and points of interest that bring the story of Inverness and the wider Loch Ness area to life, and we’ll share some of the best ones to start you off.
Entry is free to the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, so you get to enjoy one of the city's main cultural spaces without hurting your wallet. Perhaps the premier museum chronicling the history of the Scottish Highlands. It covers the area’s natural history to the Jacobites to today. There is lots to see, and with a busy schedule of talks, workshops and craft fairs, there is lots to do as well.
Although entry to the Inverness Castle Experience has a fee, you are able to enjoy the wonderful gardens and grounds, with views over the River Ness. You are allowed to explore the shop and bistro without any entry fee also.
Inverness Botanic Garden
While the countryside surrounding Inverness and Loch Ness is renowned for its natural beauty, you can enjoy a more formal slice of greenery at the Inverness Botanic Gardens. Free to visit, the Botanics are a must-see attraction on any Inverness and Loch Ness holiday. Enjoy the hothouse and the flower meadow and learn about the innovative gardening techniques used to keep the place in bloom throughout the year. There is no entry cost, but as the Gardens are a charity, any donation when you visit is greatly appreciated.
Located at the Bught Park Pavilion in Inverness, Shinty’s Story – Sgeul na Camanachd is a free permanent exhibition celebrating Scotland’s community sport. It explores the history, culture and people behind shinty, offering a fascinating insight into a game deeply rooted in Highland life.
Open Friday to Tuesday from 10am–4pm, it’s a great no-cost experience in Inverness, with donations welcomed.
Leakey's Bookshop
Leakey's is Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop and although it is a shop, the unique, beautiful building has become a popular landmark to visit when in Inverness due to its "Instagrammable" features. Family-owned and run since 1979 selling used and antiquarian books, maps and prints Leakey's is an incredibly interesting place to visit. Remember, although the shop is free to visit, please do support the business if you can!
Visit the Victorian Market
You don’t need to splash the cash when you take a walk around Inverness’s Victorian Market, though you might want to! Showcasing the finest wares from across the Highlands, a trip to the market is a good way to learn about the world-class produce that is made in these parts. There is an exciting new addition at it's centre with a new food hall showcasing local produce and food businesses.
Ness Islands
For a gentle afternoon stroll you can easily walk the length of the town. One of the best places for a wander are the Ness Islands. Found on the River Ness, they are a scenic spot to enjoy all year round, though the colours of the trees in the Autumn are hard to beat. See if you can spot the wooden Nessie statue!
If craft beer is your thing, you will of course love a FREE brewery tour! Just 10 minutes north of Inverness by car, you will arrive at the Black Isle Brewery. They have been creating craft beer for over 25 years, a business that prioritises the wellbeing of the natural world without compromising on quality.
Offering free daily tours between 10am - 3.30pm (closed Sundays from October to April) - no booking required.
Free family fun!
Just a few minutes walk from the Ness Islands you will find Whin Park, a fantastic adventure play area with climbing structures and slides. Perfect for burning any excess energy and we are not just talking about the children! Although the adventure playground is free, for a small £2.50 fee you can also ride the miniature railway, but visiting the ducks is free!
You can have a day of education and exploration at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. You can discover ancient pinewood, experience rewilding in action, uncover centuries of Gaelic culture, and immerse yourself in nature with fun activities for the whole family. They have a great play area and different levels of walks to choose from, where wildlife spotting is a must!
Loch Ness
The best free attraction in the neck of the woods also happens to be the main attraction. It doesn’t cost anything to take in the splendour of Loch Ness and have a walk along its shores. There are plenty of great walks and hikes you can enjoy that don’t cost a penny (though you might want to take a packed lunch).
On the north side of the Loch you can try the Abriachan Forest trails, which takes in some glorious views over the water and the Great Glen. Or if you want to work up even more of a sweat take a walk up Meall Fuar Mhonaidh, the tallest summit by the Loch.
Connect with Nature
Inverness and Loch Ness are surrounded by many areas of natural beauty where you can connect with nature and wildlife and none of them come with an entry fee! You can search for these locations on our “Things to do “ map using the filter “Walks, wildlife and Hidden Gems”
Pictured here is the Falls of Foyers, you can also visit Plodda Falls and Dog Falls close to Glen Affric Nature Reserve or Craigmonie view point or Divach Falls near Drumnadrochit.
There are also some interesting historic sights that are accessible for no cost, these include Clava Cairns an ancient burial sight on the outskirts of Culloden, the Priory ruins in Beauly or the Corrimony Cairns near Drumnadrochit.
