Things to do in Inverness Scotland with Kids – 2026
Things to do in Inverness Scotland, with Kids 2026 – Top 15 family friendly adventures in the capital of the Highlands.
New for 2026 – Inverness Castle Experience
Inverness Castle has just opened. A seanchaidh (storyteller) takes visitors on a self-guided journey to discover their connection to the Highlands. From ancient legends to modern voices there are stories in every room. Expect interactive installations, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on activities. Other highlights include the views from the Castle right over the city, river and countryside, the excellent Saltire Bistro that serves quality Scottish grub, and a gift shop that punches above its weight as well. Inverness Castle is a game-changer for the city, and I recommend a visit.
Ness Islands & Riverside Exploration
FREE A highlight for us was crossing the bridge over the River Ness to explore the green and glorious Ness Islands, located in the middle of the river. Cross at the south west end from Bught Road, or at the north eastern end from Island Bank Road. With sculptures and even a wee amphitheatre to find, it’s a mini adventure.
Enjoy a Day Trip to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle – with pick up and drop off in Inverness
Mini Railway for Mini Tourists
All aboard the 7¼ inch gauge railway that links Ness Islands with Whin Park. This is the UK’s most northerly public miniature railway and it’s cute as a button, plus it’s not just for little ones, adults can Choo Choo through the park too. With beautiful plants and gardens to admire, animals sculptures to turn the heads of wee ones, it was the sweetest little ride. The railway is seasonal (opens around Easter and closes towards the end of October) and reasonably cheap too, at £2.50 each, and under 4s are free. Find out more here.
Shinty’s Story
FREE New for 2026, and doesn’t cost a penny. Shinty’s Story is a free museum showcasing Scotland’s community sport is housed within Bught Park, the home of the Inverness Shinty team (go on you Reds!). It covers the rise and origins of the sport, its links with Ireland and hurling, how it was played in trenches of WW1 and the POW camps of WW2, but my tweenager loved browsing through the kits, testing his reaction times with a Batak Pro device and admiring the silverware and unusual, ornate horn trophies. There’s also a table of colouring in and activities for little ones.
The highlight for both of us was watching a live shinty match from the warmth of the vast museum windows. If your kid loves sport they’ll be hooked by a match in no time, and it’s all free. You can also watch a game (free) from a covered stadium if the museum happens to be closed.
Crazy Golf – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
Just by the river at Bught Park you’ll find Inverness Crazy Golf. It’s a lovely family friendly place. Fifteen holes of golf obstacles, towers, tubes and adventure. I visited with five pals on a girls weekend and we had a hoot, so it works for all ages. Prices aren’t bad either. It was £5 a person, or £17 for four. A snack kiosk provides refreshments and ice cream, plus there’s a podium and trophy for victorious photo opps. Great fun.
Whin Park – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE With vast play areas and lots of greenery, plus a mini railway (see above) and a boating lake (see below) Whin Park is a real Mecca for families and kids.
Boating Lake – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
Whin Park’s boating lake has roughly 27 rowing boats and paddle boats for hire. Opening dates are approximately April to September but contact whinparkboating@yahoo.co.uk to confirm details and prices.
Town House Tour
FREE The tours of the Town House seem to run quite randomly throughout the year, but they are fantastic. The fairytale town house, with wolves guarding the front door, is stunning inside. A tour guide brings fascinating stories to life. Stained glass windows remembering legends such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. Events, such as the British cabinet meeting here in 1921. And, portraits of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora Macdonald on the walls. I was lucky enough to experience a Christmas tour when the building shone and sparkled. Thoroughly recommend.
Leisure Pool – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
For flumes and swimming mayhem, Inverness’ leisure pool on Bught Lane offers a large wave pool, river with jets and geysers, 3 flume rides, an outdoor (thistle shaped) pool, family-sized spa bath and toddler pool. Check prices for a family swim here.
Inverness Botanic Gardens – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE Open seven days a week, this free garden is an oasis of calm in the city. With a tropical house, cactus house, gift shop and cafe, plus the gardens and grounds, Inverness’ Botanic Gardens is a lovely spot for all ages to explore.
Leakey’s Book Shop – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE This second hand bookshop is ideal for little bookworms. With its heaving shelves and wood-burning stove it’s full of character, and the children’s book section isn’t bad either. With lots of traditional authors and books, from Enid Blyton to Rupert, and modern texts by the likes of Jacqueline Wilson it’s definitely worth a browse. So atmospheric, a real gem.
Enjoy a Day Trip to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle – pick up and drop off in Inverness
Victorian Market – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE This 19th-century shopping arcade features a varied mix of independent shops, including fishmongers, gift shops and jewellers. Head to the old skool sweet shop for a quarter of cola bottles. Scroll down for more info on the market’s food options.
Inverness Museum and Gallery
FREE If you fancy a mix of local artefacts and curiosities, stories of the Romans in Inverness, the chance to wear plaid, and learn about local wildlife including an unexpected stuffed puma and wolf, drop by this free museum on Castle Wynd.
Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery
One for the grown-ups (kids welcome, aged 12+). If you’re interested in Scottish myths and legends you’ll enjoy the Uile-bheist tour, as it taps into Kelpies, Cirein-cròin sea monsters, Nessie and forest fairies. The brand logos are designed by pop culture illustrator and designer Ken Taylor, including work for Metallica, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. A one hour tour includes a tasting of whisky and beer. You can also overnight at distillery hotel on the banks of the River Ness.
Ice Rink/Go Karts/Cinema/Soft Play/
As a city, Inverness has all the attractions you’d expect to find. So if you fancy a spot of family skating, a movie, soft play etc. then Inverness has it all.
Slightly Out of Town
Culloden Battlefield
FREE for NTS members. This entire National Trust for Scotland site is vital in understanding Scottish and British history. The Visitor Centre explains the pivotal battle of 1746 that crushed the Jacobite uprising for the final time. Stepping onto the windswept battlefield itself is a moving experience because the lives lost and blood shed in close combat was horrific – read a full review here. Don’t miss the memorial cairn and clan graves that begin to sum up the bravery and suffering on all sides. (Adult ticket – approx £14.00 but free with membership. Visitor Centre, café and gift shop on site too.)
Clava Cairns – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE This open air site was built 4000 years ago, originally as a burial site for leading members of the local community. It’s recently attracted a LOT of attention because Outlander’s fictitious stone circle, Craigh na Dun, is thought to be inspired by the site. The Clava Cairns feature standing stones, three cairns, and a ‘Kerb’ cairn where sparkling white quartz crystals were found. Visitors get up close and personal with prehistoric history, nothing is cordoned off. Perhaps calming or spiritual for adults, and strangely captivating for children this Historic Scotland site is worth a rural pitstop. [Easy parking but no facilities.]
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
Cawdor Castle’s gardens are utterly beautiful, and were a surprising hit with my lad. The Flower Garden features a host of sculptures, in the wild garden my son scampered through the flowers down to the river. The Walled Garden features three smaller gardens, which are captivating. The Earth garden hosts a sculpture of Adam and Eve leaving Paradise, and lots of edible planting. Next is a thistle garden that represents Purgatory, before you step into ‘Paradise’ itself – a haven of white flowers and a calming water feature. Don’t miss the minotaur guarding his holly maze. The castle itself dates back to the 14th century and ticks many boxes, so expect a moat and drawbridge, turrets, turnpike stairs, vaulted 16th century kitchen, tapestries, art, and rich furnishings. (Adult ticket when we visited was £13.50. Gardens and grounds only, £8.00. Café and gift shop.)
Fort George – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
FREE for Historic Scotland Members This vast Historic Scotland site is a historic and an operational military base. Visitors can see how soldiers lived through the ages, tour the museum, see weapons glistening in the magazine, spot numerous cannons and walk the mile long walls that surround the base. Still operational, it’s not uncommon to spot young soldiers going about their business. (Adult ticket was £9.50 when we visited but free with membership, café and gift shop.) For a more detailed review read here.
Where to Stay – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa
POOL – This stylish Palace spa hotel is situated on the banks of the River Ness. Kids love the pool but this hotel also works well for any girls’ weekend thanks to the sauna, steam room, whirlpool and Sleeping Beauty salon. Check prices and availability here.
Lochardil House
Lochardil House is in the city (on the outskirts) yet has that country house feel with its own gardens and woodland. This Victorian Mansion boasts an elegant conservatory where dinner and breakfast is served. The staff are notably friendly and welcoming. The twelve rooms in the original house are being redecorated (in Feb 2026), so watch this space, and we stayed in the modern Garden Wing (our room had its own patio and outdoors seating).
When it came to dining, my Highland Venison loin was done well, accompanied with simple veg such as sweed and carrots. The kids menu offers mains from £7.50 and dessert from £3, but my son tucked into a burger from the adults’ menu, followed by traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding. Check room prices and availablity here.
Kingsmill Hotel
POOL – This is a notably family friendly hotel in Inverness. The Kingsmill Hotel offers family rooms with kids’ bunkbed areas separate from the adult space – always a winner. The pool is a huge draw too.
Glenmoriston Townhouse – Self-Catering & Hotel
Glenmoriston Townhouse is situated on banks of the River Ness. It offers smart grey and red rooms, with a city chic but friendly bar and restaurant PLUS three self-catering properties on site. This means you have the benefits of self-catering but can use the four-star hotel facilities too – from booking afternoon tea, to a drink at the bar. The hotel also run four further self-catering properties in the centre of town called the Hillside Apartments.
Highland Apartments by Mansley
SELF-CATERING – Highland Apartments by Mansley are super central with lovely balconies overlooking the River Ness. Spacious dining kitchens allow families to save a bit of money by eating in. Read a full review here.
Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments
Another riverside property offering both hotel rooms and self-catering apartments. With the Waterside Restaurant on site, plus the Uile-Bheist whisky distillery and beer brewery on location too, food and drink shouldn’t be a problem! Find prices and availability here.
River Cottage
I recently stayed in a homely three bedroom double upper by the water called River Cottage. The master bedroom with ensuite was smart, the living space/open plan kitchen diner was very relaxed too. We loved the wood burning stove and the space. A more low key second double and twin room complete the picture, and the shared bathroom is absolutely fit for purpose but a little tired in decor. Fantastic location, and free parking for one car. Take a look here.
Drumossie Hotel
TASTING MENU – Slightly out of town, and v close to Cawdor Castle and the Clava Cairns, the Drumossie Hotel is an option for hungry travellers. Its 2 AA rosette restaurant is a welcome sight after a day’s sight-seeing.
Five Star Luxury
For five star accommodation take a look at Ness Walk and Rocpool Reserve, ideal for a couple’s retreat. Both central and both indulgent.
Where to Eat – Things to do in Inverness Scotland
Mustard Seed is always a hit with families. Smart yet relaxed dining with a good kids menus to boot. The views over the river aren’t bad either 🙂 I recently dined here for a girls weekend and can safely say the food is still excellent, especially the venison. Imaginative vegetarian options too.
Victorian Market & Food Hall
The Victorian Market houses several foodie establishments. The informal Cafe de Paulo has a whole A4 page of breakfast offerings so ideal for brunch. I can recommend the vegetarian smoky burrito.
The relatively new food hall is fantastic. For coffee, cake and brunchy lunch treats make it the Bad Girl Bakery. I loved my caramelised onion and spinach Kibbeh on a bed of Baba Ganouch from the VEGAN Salt N Fire. Their empanades sounded fab too. Sushi Inverness looked like another tasty option.
Grown Up Options
Wine Bar – Book a table at small but perfectly formed Walrus and Corkscrew for glasses of vino and a selection of sharing platters.
Glenmoriston Townhouse rustles up four types of afternoon tea, Sunday lunch alongside cocktails, pub grub and a la carte. You can also stay here in the hotel or self-catering apartments.
Drinkies
For cocktails try The Wee Bar by the river. It’s smart and intimate, and I loved their chocolate martinis. It was a real find. Another cocktail hub is The White House if you’re seeking somewhere more central. Jimmy Badgers is another colourful option with its art deco Great Gatsby atmosphere. For craft beer make it MacGregor’s. For whisky, consider the cosy Malt Room. And for Scottish music and toe tapping tunes make a beeline for Hootenanny. Lastly, we were drawn to the riverside beer garden at the Uilebheist Distillery & Brewery, but the bar was understaffed and the queue super long, so we headed its neighbour, the Waterside Beer Garden, and turns out it stocked many of the exact same beers and drinks. Handy to know.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Inverness. Also take a look at:-
Historic Sites to visit with Kids in and around Inverness
Things to do in Loch Ness with Kids
Review of the New Inverness Castle Experience
Have fun!
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