Come for Bella, Stay for longer.

Guest blog by Visit Inverness Loch Ness

Family fun in Inverness and Loch Ness

Inverness and Loch Ness is the perfect destination for a family holiday with no shortage of family-friendly activities including stories of myths and legends, outdoor adventures and fun experiences with animals.

Mythology and history

Kids will love the tales of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster at the Loch Ness Experience and taking part in a hunt for our famous resident on a family-friendly cruise on Loch Ness. Hours can be spent looking for movement on the water and tours include engaging commentary about the history and legends of the loch, which captivates the imagination of kids and big kids alike!

At Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, kids can re-enact their own battles and combine learning and adventure for a fun educational experience.

Journey through the Inverness Castle Experience with a family-friendly audio tour to hear stories and tales from the Highlands and have fun with interactive installations and plenty of hands-on activities.

Boat trips

There’s a great choice of boat trips in and around Loch Ness, from scenic cruises and thrilling speedboat rides on Loch Ness, to sailing on the Moray Firth searching for bottlenose dolphins.

Families can cruise Loch Ness on larger boats such as Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises and Cruise Loch Ness. If you are looking for something more intimate, you can set sail on the Nessie Hunter with Mike at Loch Ness Cruises or Highland Free Spirits.

Family time on the waves doesn't have to be on Loch Ness, and with Dolphin Spirit on the Moray Firth you can spend two hours spotting local wildlife such as seals, otters and sea birds and if you’re really lucky, a pod of bottlenose dolphins! 

If you fancy something to get the adrenaline going, the Beastie Boat is a thrilling speed boat tour on a 12-seater RIB at Foyers Pier. Or if you prefer to get behind the helm yourself, why not hire with Caley Cruisers or learn to sail with Compass Sea School.

Outdoor adventures

Loch Ness is a launch pad to adventure, with everything from water sports and sailing, to cycling, archery, fishing and hiking. Explore our beautiful landscapes and have lots of fun whilst you’re at it!

Cycling

There are so many brilliant tracks and paths for cycling, from the riverside and canal to forest trails and mountainous tracks. If you bring your own bikes, you will find lots of helpful cycling information and maps here.

No bike? No worries! You can hire bikes from Ticket to Ride in Inverness and the Loch Ness Hub in Drumnadrochit. If you prefer a guided cycling tour, 42 Cycling have lots of trips available with the added benefit of inside knowledge from a local guide.

Water sports

Splashing through the waves of the local waters gives you a whole new perspective and fun for all the family. Hire kayaks and paddleboards from In Your Element, Active Highs and Yak Shack or enjoy a guided canoe tour. For the thrill seekers, there’s also gorge walking, canyoning and whitewater rafting. Get kitted out in a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid, and you’re ready to explore!

Fishing

If you’re looking for a family day out on the water that is a little more relaxing, a fishing experience could be for you! Green Highlander offers guided fishing trips and lessons, and tailored fly-fishing trips and experiences for every type of fisherman and family. You Fish Scotland will create a tailor-made fishing experience for you and your family, for all abilities, and Fish Loch Ness offers two very different but equally special ways to experience fishing on our famous loch.

Woodland adventures

Back on dry land, Bowhunter Archery Woodland Activities offer archery, axe throwing, and bushcraft set in stunning woodland close to Inverness. At Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, spend the day learning about wildlife, rewilding and local flora and fauna before burning off some energy in the play area.

Animal fun

It wouldn’t be a trip to the Highlands without a visit to our famous Highland Coos! There are plenty of spots to see them including at Culloden Battlefield, Easter Dalziel Farm, Dochgarroch and Cameron’s Tearooms.

If you’d like to get up close and personal, you can also feed them and even groom them around Loch Ness.

The Loch Ness Hub in Drumnadrochit run daily tours to a local croft where you can meet and feed the coos and just along the road at Quila Cridhe Tea Room you can feed the coos and also fill hungry tummies with a yummy coo-themed afternoon tea!

At Farm Ness, you can not only experience the Highland coos but also alpacas, sheep and pygmy goats! Spend some time feeding the animals then have lots of fun in the outdoor play area.

At Loch Ness Alpacas in Dores and Invercannich Farm near Glen Affric, you can meet and greet alpacas or go one step further and trek with the gentle alpaca gang to learn more about them

Rainy day activities

With the right clothing, every day in Inverness and Loch Ness can be spent enjoying the outdoors but for the days you do want to stay inside, there’s still plenty of activities to enjoy!

Head along to Inverness Leisure to enjoy a swim and some fun on the flumes or visit Inverness Ice Centre for public ice skating sessions and to try your hand at curling.

Bounce from wall to wall in the Infinity Trampoline Park with over 60 inter-connected trampolines and step into a giant playground of soft play fun at Innoflate. Right next door is Hollywood Bowl for some bowling as well as an amusement area, and Vue Cinema has lots of choice for family-friendly films. Eden Court Theatre and Cinema also shows films and hosts live theatre events with some fantastic travelling shows throughout the year.

And if you fancy some creative fun with the older kids, head along to This is Nook for painting, drawing, paper crafts, scrapbooking and more!

Farm Ness & The Inverness Castle Experience