Are Inverness and Loch Ness Worth visiting?

If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, I’m so jealous! We’ve been twice and each time it’s been my favorite trip. We’ve been all over the country, and still have so much we want to see! Even though Scotland is small, its highlights are spread over the entire country! When planning our last trip I started to ask myself, “Are Inverness and Loch Ness Worth visiting?” First of all, I want to say, Inverness has A LOT to offer! It’s a really cool old city! You can see my post about what we did, here!

Unfortunately, it all depends on your trip if Inverness and Loch Ness worth visiting! I wish I could just say, yes or no. But I’ve done two trips there and I can honestly say, the first time we went, no it would not have been worth it. But the second time, yes! It was definitely worth the stop!

What makes it worth the stop

You have the time

So many places to see in Scotland are spread out. Our second trip we planned a full eight-day road trip that included Inverness as a stop! It was so gorgeous driving to, through, and out of Inverness. I was really happy we made it there!

They’re on your “must-see” list

I’m a firm believer you should only do things on vacation because you want to. Not because everyone does it (Like the leaning tower of Pisa). But if you’ve wanted to see Urquhart Castle, love the mystery of Loch Ness, or are a Jacobite history buff, you should DEFINITELY make the time to go to Inverness!

You believe in the Loch Ness Monster

People from all over the world come to explore the murky waters that hold the legend of the Loch Ness Monster! Don’t deprive yourself of this opportunity! Take a boat out, go on a tour, and make time to go to the museum, too!

You’re driving up north

Both the highlands and the lowlands have a lot to offer in Scotland! If you’re heading up north, there’s a good chance you’re going to be driving through Inverness as it’s generally considered to be “the gateway to the highlands”. If your itinerary takes you through, even if there’s not a lot you want to see, it’s still fun to stop and have a meal or see at least one thing while you’re there! See my post here, about what we did and enjoyed!

It’s a really neat city with fun things to do

Whether you want to visit the battle site of Culloden Moor, tour Urquhart Castle, or enjoy the Loch, the whole city is teeming with things to do! Downtown there are shops and we had awesome food while we were there!

What makes it NOT worth the stop

You’re not in Scotland for very long

Like I mentioned above, our first trip we would not have made good use of our time if we made it up to Inverness. We were only there for four days and we stuck to Edinburgh and day trips from there. There are lochs ALL OVER the country! I don’t think you need to make it up to the most talked about one just to see its beauty! You can see some around wherever you are staying!

You don’t care about the legend of the monster

Again, only do things on vacation because YOU want to! Don’t do it because everyone else does. That’s what causes tourist traps! Do your research and decide if it’s right for your trip and if you’re really interested in it or not. I’ve spent about two full weeks in Scotland and have never been to Glasgow. That’s because for the time I’ve had, I don’t care to do what is offered there, yet! I’d love to make it there on our next trip. But don’t make the long journey up north just because you think you have to.

You don’t have any other stops near Inverness or in its path

Inverness is NOT a day trip from Edinburgh. You may be able to take a tour up there, but it takes at least four hours of driving each way. And that just seems like a waste of eight perfectly good hours in Scotland just driving in one day. We drove from Edinburgh up to Aberdeen (with stops along the way), then road tripped through Aberdeen before making it up to Inverness.

So, are Inverness and Loch Ness worth visiting? To us, YES! We spent an afternoon, evening, and morning around this really neat part of Scotland and were really glad that we did! I hope this pros and cons list helps you decide if the gateway to the highlands is worth your time on your trip.