Discover & Explore Scotland
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Inverness is known as the gateway to the Highlands and is a great place to base yourself if you’re visiting this area. The city itself has plenty of attractions, but there are also some incredible day trips you can take from Inverness to explore the surrounding area. From castles and lochs to beaches and gardens, there’s something for everyone! Let’s take a look at some of the best day trips from Inverness.
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Most people generally head to the usual suspects when visiting Loch Ness – Urquhart Castle, the Loch Ness Visitor Centre, Fort Augustus – however, there is so much more to see around this famous expanse of water. We actually live on Loch Ness and so know this area rather well! We will be concentrating on places, walks, historic buildings that are actually located around Loch Ness, let’s call it a Loch Ness Loop. We have other posts for areas close to Loch Ness such as our detailed guide Drumnadrochit, Glen Affric, Fort Augustus and ideas for day trips from Inverness.
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The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is located in the northern Highlands, approximately 1 hour north of Inverness, just off the A9. This seaside town is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking to explore the area or if you’re doing the North Coast 500 (NC500). Hopefully you’ve already checked out our comprehensive guide on things to do in Dornoch – if not, click here! So if you’re now wondering if there’s much to do in the surrounding area, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been visiting Dornoch for years and know the area very well so here are our top places to visit around Dornoch, many of which feature on the NC500 circuit.
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We have been visiting the quaint town of Dornoch since the late nineties and we absolutely love it! It always features on our ititneray when we visit our family in Lairg.
The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is a seaside town located in the northern Highlands approximately 1 hour north of Inverness, just off the A9, and is perfectly located between the Dornoch Firth and the Moray Firth. It’s an easy day trip from Inverness or a stopping place when doing the North Coast 500. You may also want to base yourself here as there’s so much to do in the area. Spend a couple of days discovering the town, the beach and the golf course and then head slightly further afield to discover what the area has to offer.
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The small peaceful town of Lairg is located in the county of Sutherland in the northern Highlands, Scotland. Often referred to as the gateway or the crossroads of the Highlands, Lairg is a small town on the shores of Loch Shin. It’s a great base if you’re looking to explore the true wilderness of Sutherland. It’s about 1h30 minutes’ drive from Inverness. To truly appreciate everything the area has to offer, we strongly recommend having a car although it’s possible to reach Lairg by public transport (see information below).
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The Black Isle is located in the Scottish Highlands just north of Inverness (around 15 minutes’ drive). It’s connected to the mainland in the South by the Kessock Bridge and in the North by the Cromarty bridge. It’s almost entirely surrounded by the sea which gives it a real island feel. Its name is thought to have originated from the fact that snow rarely falls on the isle, unlike the surrounding hills. It’s a very easy day trip from Inverness or you might want to base yourself here as there’s so much to explore and discover.
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As family we have been familiar with the NC500 route for many years, long before it was branded Scotland’s answer to route 66. In fact, Jonathan’s family has called the Highlands and Islands of Scotland home for over 30 years. The scenery is spectacular, the local seafood is some of the best in the world and history is around every corner.
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Dubbed the capital of the Highlands, Inverness has lots to offer visitors and is also the gateway to the NC500 (North Coast 500). You can easily spend a day or two exploring this pretty city or use it as a base to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside (check our post on best day trips from Inverness). Read on to discover some great Inverness attractions!
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Located in the northern Highlands about 1 hour north of Inverness, Golspie has become a popular stop on the NC500 circuit. It also makes for a great day trip from Inverness (check out this post) or from nearby Dornoch (read this post). It’s a small town which lies directly on the A9 and has a number of great attractions. It can be easily reached by car or alternatively by public transport (train or bus).
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