One of the best places we stayed during our Scottish Highlands trip was near Rosemarkie on the Black Isle Peninsula.
Our pitch on the Caravan and Camping Club site overlooked the beach and the kids loved being able to jump out of the motorhome and straight onto the sand. We were lucky to be blessed with sunshine while we were there, which helped us to enjoy the location even more.
Located about 15 miles from Inverness, it was a good base for exploring. We only scratched the surface but I’m keen to go back as there’s so much to see and do for families within a 30-minute drive.
So if you’re looking for a new places to go in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, here’s a list of 9 brilliant days out with the kids near Inverness:
Loch Ness
Drive around the Loch or stop and take a cruise. You can also combine your cruise with a visit to the majestic ruins of Urquhart Castle. After your cruise, you can continue a couple of miles down the road to visit the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition. Using a mix of lasers, digital projection and special effects, the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition charts the history of the monster by exploring Scotland’s geological past it’s folklore and the various research projects carried out on the Loch.
Ness Islands
Take a walk along the sheltered riverside paths around the Ness Islands – a group of islands in the middle of the River Ness in Inverness – which are connected by Victorian suspension bridges. Hire a rowing boat on the pond in nearby Whin Park or take a ride on the Ness Island Miniature Railway, open weekends and during the school holidays.
Fairy Glen Falls
This RSPB nature reserve is a hidden gem in the village of Rosemarkie on the Black Isle peninsula, 26 miles from Inverness. The 0.8-mile woodland walk leads to two pretty waterfalls. It gets quite muddy and slippery so take wellies. You can also paddle in the shallow water beneath the falls. There’s a car park on the right as the road leaves Rosemarkie towards Cromarty.
Rosemarkie Beach
This long stretch of sandy beach is located on the south side of the Black Isle peninsula. We went on a hot summers day in the school holidays and it wasn’t too busy, particularly a little further up the beach. There are also some rock pools.
The beach is backed by woodland and well kept lawns. There is a cafe and an ice cream van. At the far end of the beach is Chanonry Point which is a great place to spot the dolphins which frequent the Moray Firth.
Watch the dolphins at Chanonry Point
One of my favourite memories of our trip around the Scottish Highlands was dolphin watching at Chanonry Point. The Moray Firth supports the North Sea’s only known resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Spot them 1-2 hours after low tide at Chanonry Point, just down the beach from Rosemarkie, when they are chasing the fish in.
Fort George, Ardersier
A great place for kids to run around and let off steam, Fort George is a large 18th-century fortress near Ardersier, about 12 miles to the north-east of Inverness. You can explorer an enormous military base protected by almost a mile of massive walls. You can gain insight into life as a Redcoat in a garrison fortress built in 1748-69 that has barely changed in 250 years of active service.
For more information and to book a place, visit the website.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Open all year round, this is a fun destination offering rides and attractions like a shooting gallery, a tropical hothouse and optical illusions. The park is located in Carrbridge, 24 miles from Inverness.
Visit the website for more details and to book a place.
Culloden Battlefield
An emotive and atmospheric battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. The modern visitor centre has a 360-degree battle immersion theatre, which puts you in the heart of the action. For a visit to the museum and battlefield, approximately two hours is recommended. The site is located five miles east of Inverness.
Visit the website for more details and to book a place
Scottish Exotic Animal Rescue – Nairn
A charity which looks after exotic reptiles based in Inverness. It takes on all sorts of exotic animals from the general public, SSPCA and various other organisations. Open Saturdays and Sundays and you can book a private household experience.
Visit the Facebook page for more details and to book a visit.
- Where’s your favourite day out in the Scottish Highlands? Let me know in the comments below.
- If you enjoyed reading 9 brilliant days out with the kids near Inverness, read: How to spend a weekend in Berwick-upon-Tweed with kids