The Highlands on your doorstep!
You'll be delighted to know that walking, cycling, food, distillery, bus, driving and even Highland coo tours are all available in Inverness and Loch Ness, there is something to suit everyone's needs!
If you arrive to Inverness by plane, train or bus and don't want to hire a car to discover and explore they city and wider area, do not worry as we have a range of tour guides and companies that will help you explore our magnificent region.
Travel connections into Inverness the capital of the Highlands have improved greatly, and Inverness has become the perfect base for exploring the wider Highlands and the rest of Scotland.
Fuelling your sense of adventure
Choosing Inverness is the smart option for people who want to avoid the stress and traffic of big cities, but still want to be within easy reach of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. Sites such us Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye or the local whisky distilleries.
You can enjoy a wide array of trips from Inverness with frequent guided tours departing to all the iconic landmarks around the area. From private guides to group bus tours there is something for everyone.
Let's explore the options available.
The Joy of Group Tours: Unveiling the Highlands Together
Venturing into the wider Highlands from Inverness is an adventure best shared. Opting for a group tour not only offers the ease of organised travel but also enriches your experience through shared discoveries and camaraderie.
These tours take away the hassle of planning routes, navigating the remote and rugged terrains including the single track roads of the Highlands. Instead, they gift you the luxury of enjoying in the breath taking landscapes and hidden gems that this majestic land has to offer, all with the added bonus of expert guides who bring the history and folklore of the Highlands to life right before your eyes.
Group tours from Inverness offer a gateway to deeper connections — with the land, its stories, and fellow travellers. Engage in lively discussions, share laughs over a dram of whisky, and create memories that bond you to Scotland and to each other. In the Highlands, every road taken weaves a tale of adventure, discovery, and friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Companies that run group tours from Inverness are :
Rabbies run a large number of tours from Inverness starting from day trips to Loch Ness, Isle Of Skye, Torridon, the Cairngorms, Dunrobin Castle, whisky distilleries and Glen Affric to longer 3 day tours further afield that include the North Coast 500, the Outer Hebrides and Orkney.
Wow Scotland run a range of day tours from Inverness that include Loch Ness, Outlander tour, Applecross, Glen Affric and the Isle of Skye.
Highland Explorer Tours have a range of tours with departures from Inverness heading to the Isle of Skye, Moray, Loch Ness and Outlander locations and more.
The Personal Touch: Discovering the Highlands Through Private Tours
Embrace an exclusive adventure in a private tour. When it comes to uncovering the vast beauty and rich tapestry of history in the further Highlands from Inverness, nothing compares to the personalised experience of a private tour.
With a private tour, you have the freedom to tailor your itinerary to your interests, whether that’s tracing your ancestral roots, lingering in the beauty of the Scottish landscapes, or seeking out the most secluded spots for that perfect photograph. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll enjoy insights and stories that resonate with your personal interests, bringing the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Highlands to life in a way that feels uniquely yours.
Opting for a private tour means you can explore at your own pace, and beyond the itinerary, private tours offer a level of comfort and convenience that enhances your Highland adventure, from luxury transportation and access to exclusive experiences often hidden from the general tourist trail.
Companies that run private tours from Inverness :
Happy Tours Scotland run private guided tours in their luxurious minibus or premium Land Rover to various locations over the Highlands. From Culloden Battlefield and Dunrobin Castle to the Isle of Skye and more.
Grant Driving Tours offer bespoke guided tours all over the Highlands in their range of luxury vehicles. From day tours to multi day excursions and even airport transport, Bill has many options available.
Highland Tour Company offer bespoke tours for visitors in their luxury eco-friendly vehicles.
Cath's Inverness Tours offer private guided driver tours for half and full day experiences. Taking you further afield across the Highlands.
Avril's Tours offer group and bespoke private tours to popular locations taking you to the wider destination.
Inverness Taxi's offer a range of private tours both locally and across the wider Highlands.
Wow Tours as well as running group tours, also offer a private and bespoke tour service.
Walking Tours
Guided tours don't just include transport, if you are visiting Inverness and want to learn all about the history, architecture, and local knowledge, then a walking tour is a must!
Cath's Inverness Tours provides daily walking tours in the city centre and if you're wanting to know about local food, there is a foodie tour option now available as well, see below for more information.
Walking tours Inverness also offer daily walking tours throughout the day where you can learn all the little known facts that you may not realise when walking about the city and river.
Food Tours
A new addition for 2024, a local food and drink walking tour in Inverness with Cath's Inverness Tours.
Experience a culinary adventure through the historic streets of Inverness on a small-group food tour led by a knowledgeable local guide Cath. You'll explore the rich tapestry of Highland flavours and beverages, these include iconic Scottish dishes like Haggis and Cullen Skink, all complemented by the tastes of locally produced beer and a whisky.
As you savour the Highland produce, Cath will teach you all about the city's history and culture, and will share fascinating insights into Inverness's landmarks. Join her for a gastronomic journey that combines the best of Scottish cuisine with the beauty of our historic city.
Highland Coo Tours
Meeting a Highland cow is at the top of everyone's to-do list when visiting Inverness and Loch Ness. You will see them in fields all around the destination, but now you can book a tour that will take you to a local farm so you can get up close and personal with some Highland coos and even feed them!
Loch Ness Hub and Travel have daily tours from their base in Drumnadrochit, the tour takes around 45 minutes and you will return with a big smile and lots of photos! Find out more here.
With the range of tour services available you will be sure to find something to suit your needs and budget and most importantly help you to see the wider destination and Highlands more easily.
No Car, no worries! If you are staying in Inverness and Loch Ness without transport and need more useful information, take a look at our Travel Information and Maps page for further help and useful resources.
Self guided tours
You can turn the streets of Inverness into an Adventure Playground with an online self guided tour with Go Quest Adventure. Inverness city centre Quest is a fun and engaging way to explore the Highland capital from a whole different perspective.
Using your phone unlock a hidden trail through the city centre by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app. See the city's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and learn some fun facts about Inverness along the way. Think walking adventure, meets treasure hunt with an outdoor escape room twist!
Discover more...
Visiting Inverness and Loch Ness the sustainable travel way
Visiting Inverness and Loch Ness the sustainable travel way
Car-Free Holidays in Inverness and Loch Ness
Many of our Inverness and Loch Ness visitors arrive in the area by air or rail and although hiring a car is very popular, it’s not a must.