Inverness Castle

The castle dominates Inverness's skyline from across the River Ness - a proper pink sandstone fortress that looks like someone's idea of what a castle should be, all turrets and drama. Built in the 1830s on the site of older fortifications, it's got that Victorian confidence about it, though the original medieval stronghold was far less showy.

You can walk around the grounds freely, which is the main draw. The views over the river and town are genuinely worth the climb up to the entrance, and on a clear day you'll see right across the Moray Firth. If you're after the full tour inside, there's a museum covering local history and the Jacobite risings, though opening hours shift seasonally so check ahead.

It's a solid thirty-minute stop if you're just passing through Inverness, or a couple of hours if you're doing the museum bit. Families with young kids find the grounds easy enough - it's not a scramble, more of a steady walk. History types will get more from the actual exhibits than the building itself, which is handsome but essentially Victorian pastiche.

The location makes it perfect for a quick detour when you're based at one of the nearby parks. Ardtower Caravan Park and Go Glamping at Loch Ness are both minutes away, so you could combine this with exploring the town centre's decent shops and restaurants. The castle gives Inverness its postcard moment, but don't bank on it being your day's highlight - it's more of a 'we were here' visit than a full adventure.