The Victorian Market

The Victorian Market in Inverness is one of those buildings that stops you mid-stride. Built in 1870, it's a proper slice of Highland commerce history - all cast iron, glass and red sandstone. You wander in and immediately get that feeling of stepping back into the 1800s, though it's very much alive today with independent shops, a few cafes, and locals who treat it like their living room.

The covered arcade is brilliant if the Scottish weather turns (which it will). You can browse vintage finds, local crafts, jewellery and the odd curiosity without getting soaked. There's something about the high glass ceiling and the echoing footsteps that makes even a quick half-hour feel properly atmospheric. Families with kids appreciate the sheltered browsing space, and it's engaging enough to keep them entertained for a good hour if you let them poke about.

It won't cost you entry - you pay only for what you buy. Allow a comfortable hour to properly look around without rushing. The real charm is in the architecture itself and the fact it's changed hands and stock but kept its bones since the Victorian era.

For caravan visitors staying at Ardtower or Bunchrew just down the road, it's an easy pull into central Inverness on a drizzly afternoon. Pair it with the riverside walks nearby and you've got a solid half-day. Worth the visit if you're in Inverness anyway, though I wouldn't plan a special trip for it alone.