Where to stay in Inverness Scotland – Area & Accommodation Guide

If you are wondering where to stay in Inverness Scotland, this article will help you find the perfect Inverness accommodation for your trip. 

Inverness is the most northerly city in the U.K. and it is a lively city packed with history and character. It is also a small city so it is easy to explore on foot or by public transport.

In addition to several city centre attractions, Inverness is considered to be the ‘capital’ of the Scottish Highlands and makes a fantastic base from which to discover the stunning scenery and historical sites of the surrounding area. 

Day trips from Inverness include the famous Loch Ness, the Cairngorms National Park, Culloden Battlefield, the Great Glen and further afield to Fort William and the Isle of Skye.

The city also lies on the NC500 road route, a 500-mile scenic drive around the dramatic north coast of Scotland. 

Where to stay in Inverness Scotland – Quick picks

Visiting Inverness – FAQs

What is the best way to travel to Inverness?

Visitors can fly directly into Inverness airport (INV) from several European airports and connecting flights to Inverness are available from major U.K and London airports. 

Alternatively, you can travel to Inverness on The Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight train departing from London. 

If you prefer to travel through the U.K during daylight hours to make the most of your sightseeing, take a day train from London to Edinburgh and then connect to a second train to reach Inverness. Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness take just under four hours. 

Edinburgh to Inverness by car is approximately 256 kilometres and will take around four hours, depending on traffic.

How many days should I spend in Inverness? 

You could visit all the major attractions in the city in two days but if you want to take day trips from Inverness, allow at least five days for your trip.

When is the best time to visit Inverness?

The best time to visit Inverness is late Spring and Summer. Days will be warmer and drier with longer daylight hours to maximise sightseeing. 

However, the summer months are busy with tourists so if you want to avoid the crowds, visit in September after Scottish and other U.K school holidays have ended. 

For more information about Inverness and the surrounding Highlands, check out our essential Inverness travel guide.

Where to stay in Inverness

Inverness City Centre – Good for dining and entertainment

Inverness city centre is vibrant and compact. If you like to have attractions on your doorstep and a wide range of dining options and evening entertainment, this is the best place to stay in Inverness.

Despite its expensive central location, there is accommodation in Inverness city centre to suit all budgets. 

Things to do in Inverness city centre

• Explore the grounds of the 19th-century Inverness Castle (which today operates as a courthouse)

• Visit the fascinating Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

• Join a tour departing from the city centre to visit the Highlands or Loch Ness

Where to stay in Inverness city centre

River Ness Hotel

• Part of the Radisson family, the modern River Ness Hotel has a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge, 24 hour front desk and a gym.
• The stylish ensuite air-conditioned rooms feature a fridge,  a safe, desk, flat screen tv, free WiFi and a kettle.
• Comfortable family rooms sleeping four people in one double and one sofa bed are available.
• This hotel is ideal for rail travellers as the rail station is just 300 metres away.

Bluebell House

• A character-packed guest house with period features including four poster beds and ornate dark wood furniture.
• Guests can enjoy free parking and free WiFi. Ensuite rooms have a flat-screen tv and a fridge whilst larger rooms contain sofas.
• A continental or à la carte breakfast is included in the room rate. Inverness rail station and castle are just under one kilometre away. 

Art House Apartments

• These one to two bed apartments in a listed Victorian house are a great option for families or groups looking to self cater.
• Each tastefully decorated apartment is packed with character and charm and has a separate bedroom, a spacious living room and a kitchen equipped with a washing machine, dryer, microwave, stove and dishwasher.
• The property is a ten-minute walk from the city centre and 800 metres from Inverness rail station.
• Free parking is available on-site (complete with an EV charging station).

AC Hotel by Marriott

• This modern, luxurious Inverness hotel has a restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk and a gym. A buffet breakfast is available each day.
• The air-conditioned ensuite rooms have an extra large double bed, a desk and a minibar.
• AC Hotel is a ten-minute walk from Inverness Museum and from the rail station. 

Dalneigh – Good for families

Dalneigh is a residential area situated between the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal. It is close to the city centre (around a 20-minute walk) and offers quick and easy access to the Highlands and to Loch Ness.

Dalneigh has extensive amenities such as restaurants and cafes plus several parks and good transport links. It is a good area to stay in if you are visiting Inverness with kids. 

Things to see and do in Dalneigh

• Learn about Scottish flora at Inverness Botanic Gardens 

• Take a trip to the nearby Ness Islands in the middle of the River Ness

• Climb to the top of Tomnahurich Cemetery Hill for a fantastic view of the city

• Discover the architecture of Inverness Cathedral

• Learn about how tartan cloth is designed and made at the Scottish Kilt Making Centre. 

Where to stay in Dalneigh

Moyness House

• If you are hoping to stay in a traditional Scottish bed and breakfast during your trip to Scotland, then Moyness House is the place for you. 
• Set in a Victorian house, this charming, homely B & B offers comfortable ensuite double and family rooms with free parking and free WiFi.
• A highly rated cooked breakfast is included in the room prices. Inverness rail station is 900 metres away whilst Inverness city centre is a ten-minute walk. 

Ness Walk

• A modern and stylish hotel (part of the World Hotels Group), Ness Walk offers luxury ground floor rooms with a private patio as well as upper-floor rooms with river views.
• Each ensuite room has double or twin beds, a desk, satellite television, a coffee machine and a kettle.
• The suites offer additional space and have a large seating area with sofas. The hotel has a shared lounge and serves a continental breakfast each day.
• Ness Walk sits on the banks of the River Ness and is a 15 minute walk from the Botanic Gardens and the city centre. Inverness rail station is 20 minutes away on foot.

Torridon Guest House

• A traditional Scottish B & B offering cosy ensuite double and twin rooms at a budget-friendly price.
• The low room rate includes a full Scottish breakfast. This guest house is an eight-minute walk from Inverness city centre and the rail station is a 12-minute walk.  

Raigmore – Good budget area

Raigmore is another residential area lying to the east of the city centre. It offers affordable accommodation and good tourist infrastructure.

Things to see and do in Raigmore

•  Enjoy a round of golf at Inverness Golf Club 

• Shop for souvenirs at Inverness Shopping Park

• Take a day tour to nearby Culloden Battlefield 

Where to stay in Raigmore

Holiday Inn Express Inverness

• This modern hotel features a bar and serves a buffet style breakfast daily. The simple ensuite rooms offer double or twin beds, a desk, television and a kettle.
• Guests have free parking and free WiFi. Some of the rooms can sleep three people and cots are available for free on request.
• This Raigmore hotel is opposite Inverness Shopping Park which is packed with shops, restaurants and a cinema. It is a 25-minute drive from the city centre but it is only ten minutes by car to Culloden Battlefield. 

Leonardo Hotel Inverness

• Formerly a Jury’s Inn, this modern hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a gym (with a sauna and steam room), a bar and a restaurant.
• The colourful rooms feature double or twin beds, a desk, free WiFi and cable television. Triple rooms and accessible rooms are available.
• The hotel is a 20 minute walk from Inverness rail station.

Inverness Youth Hostel

• This quality hostel offers private ensuite rooms (as well as dorm beds) and is a good option for families and groups.
• Simple but comfortable family rooms sleep up to six people in single beds or bunk beds.
  The hostel has a well equipped kitchen, a comfortable shared lounge and a garden and breakfast is offered daily.
• It is a 10 minute walk to Inverness rail station and the hostel also offers free parking and bike storage.

Best places to stay near Inverness

If you prefer to stay in a small town or rural Scotland, there are several locations to stay near Inverness. 

• Contin, a 25 minute drive north-west of Inverness, lies on the NC500 road route and is surrounded by woodland trails offering visitors the chance to spot a red squirrel. If you prefer to stay in a rural location, Contin is a good choice. 

• Foyers is a small town on the banks of Loch Ness, a 40 minutes drive south from Inverness. It is a good base from which to explore the Loch Ness area and to get a taste of life in the Highlands. 

• Drumnadrochit is a picturesque village on the western shores of Loch Ness, a 20 minute drive from Inverness. It is surrounded by Glen Urquhart, Glen Moriston, and the Great Glen and is a great location for hikers, cyclists and Nessie hunters! Things to see and do near Inverness

Things to do near Inverness

• Enjoy hiking trails in the stunning scenery around Loch Ness or take a boat trip onto the loch. 

• Learn about the geology and history of the local area at the Loch Ness Centre. Kids can have fun in the adventure playground at Nessieland. 

• Explore the historic (and picture-perfect) ruins of Urquhart Castle.

• Walk or hire a bike and cycle from Contin on woodland trails to view Rogie Falls

• Visit a whisky distillery in Speyside, a 50-minute drive from Inverness city centre

• Learn about Scottish history at Culloden Battlefield

Where to stay near Inverness

Coul House Hotel, Contin

• This period country house hotel is 20 minutes by car from Inverness on the NC500 route. Coul House sits on an 8 acre plot in the hills above Contin and is only five miles from both Loch Achilty and Loch Ussie.
• The ensuite rooms are spacious and include tea and coffee and free WiFi. There is a restaurant serving locally grown food and a Pitch and Putt course.
• The bike track to Rogie Falls is directly opposite the hotel. 

Foyers Bay Country House

• This is an elegant, family run Victorian hotel (a 35 minute drive from Inverness) with views over Loch Ness and immediately adjacent to The Falls of Foyers.
• The ensuite rooms have a flat screen tv, free WiFi, tea and coffee and some rooms have balconies overlooking Loch Ness.
• The hotel has a bar and a cooked Scottish breakfast is included in the room rate. 

Loch Ness Inn near Drumnadrochit

• This cosy and friendly mid-range inn offers spacious, deluxe ensuite double and twin rooms. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, parking and the onsite restaurant and bar.
• There are hiking trails on the doorstep and a visit to the local Loch Ness Brewery is a must do. 

Great Glen Townhouse

• If you are searching for rural accommodation with character but with easy access to Inverness, stay at the Great Glen Townhouse in Craig Dunain.
• This historic three-bed townhouse is part of a grand estate and is perfect for groups and families as it sleeps up to six people in three separate bedrooms.
• The elegant property has a large living area and a well-equipped kitchen including a washing machine and dryer. 
• Guests have private parking and Inverness is a 12 minute drive away. If you prefer to use public transport, there is a bus stop for Inverness just a few minutes walk from the townhouse. 

Scotland Travel Guides

I hope this guide to where to stay in Inverness has helped you find the perfect Scottish accommodation for your trip to this beautiful part of Scotland.

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• Glasgow Travel Guide
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