Cairngorms National Park
Disappear into Britain’s highest mountain range, journey through forests and moorlands, dip your toes in rivers, lochs, and glens, and travel back in time as you explore prehistoric, Celtic, and Pictish remains. Bursting with wildlife, from wildcats to red squirrels, the Cairngorms National Park is perfect for enjoying a ramble or cycle on one of the many trails. There is also a range of activities to try including snow sports, watersports, and even bungee jumping!
The Cairngorms National Park is a forty-minute drive from our Inverness hotel.
Cawdor Castle
Dating back to the 14th century, Cawdor Castle is filled with splendour, history, heritage, and tales of its unique journey. The structure has evolved over the years adding character to the castle, with additions from the 17th century reflecting Scottish style architecture. Explore the interior’s richly decorated rooms, ornate furniture, intricate tapestries, and fine art portraits, transporting you back in time to a world of elegance and grandeur.
Visitors can also stroll three gardens: the Walled Garden, Flower Garden, and Wild Garden. Within the walled garden there’s a holly maze, as well as a paradise garden, knot garden, thistle garden, and an orchard filled with Scottish fruit trees.
Tickets cost £10.50 for adults and £6.50 for children, and opening times vary depending on the time of year. Cawdor Castle is situated a short twenty-minute drive from our hotel.
Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition
Explore the legendary Loch Ness! Visit the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition to learn about the ‘500 million years of history, natural mystery and legend revealing the unique environment of Loch Ness’. The centre includes seven themed areas and a range of children’s activities, as well as The Nessie Shop, The Whisky Shop, Cashmere & Woollens Shop, Kiltmakers, and Ancestral Names Research Centre. You can grab a bite to eat at the Cobbs Café & Loch Ness Bistro – sit back, relax and enjoy a taste of local home baking.
For those keen to hit the open water, Deepscan Cruises offer hourly trips across the loch where you can see the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle and search the depths of Loch Ness with on-board sonar equipment - can you spot the infamous Loch Ness Monster?
Admission to the centre costs £7.45 for adults and £4.95 for children, and opening times vary depending on the time of the year. The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition is situated a twenty-eight minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Inverness.
Urquhart Castle
Picturesquely situated on the banks of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is an iconic Highlands landmark. Affording breath-taking views of Loch Ness, this site has been a hotspot for sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as ‘Nessie’. The castle itself has 500 years of history, playing an important role in Scotland’s past. Today, the medieval castle is mostly in ruins, largely destroyed by Williamite and Jacobite groups fighting in 1692.
Explore the ruins and visitor centre exhibitions and artefacts to learn more about the history. Admission costs £8.50 for adults and £5.10 for children, and opening times vary depending on the time of year. The centre also offers a café and shop for those wishing to enjoy a refreshment or pick up a souvenir. Urquhart Castle is a leisurely thirty-minute drive from our Inverness hotel.
Explore Inverness and discover a shopping experience that mirrors the diversity and charm of its natural surroundings. Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Highland landscapes, the Inverness shopping scene seamlessly fuses traditional and modern elements. Uncover the top shopping destinations in Inverness for an ideal day of indulging in retail therapy.
