Things to do in North of North :-)

[houseRefurb]

Suggestions please on things to do over a weekend in early January, in North Scotland

Have booked the sleeper train to Inverness, for DD and I, for my birthday.

But, no idea what we will do when we get there.

Inspire me please!

Go hillwalking. There are quite a few around.
What do you like to do normally?

Depends on your interests, just checked and Culloden battlefield is open in January, we really enjoyed our visit (Guided tour is the best bit!)

https://www.getyourguide.com/inverness-l1935/from-inverness-isle-of-skye-discovery-eilean-donan-castle-t130065/?ranking_uuid=109496aa-66a5-4234-823e-24f593c74986

Eden Court has a classic and younger kids panto on
The castle in Inverness has promised to be open by new year https://invernesscastle.scot and I think Inverness museum is open too?

My DC love the climbing wall there: https://www.theledgeclimbing.com

Obviously a tonne of Nature to explore (though if you’re traveling by public transport once you arrive be aware it’s a bit sparse and subject to weather issues!)

Some nice cafes in Inverness: https://www.xoko.co.uk https://www.perkcafe.co.uk

best chippie in town: https://www.mcleodsfishandchips.co.uk

how old is DD?

Is the ice rink still theee?

Thank you , for the responses.
DD is 15.
We go for walks, usually, in any place that we visit, city or rural.
But; given it's January, with the limited daylight we will have in North, not too sure about walks

There's a lovely walk along the River Ness - it's very pretty and some great bridges to go back and forth along the walk. It's all lit up at nightime too. It's also really close to Loch Ness, if you can get a bus tour for the day? Really nice restaurants too.

Go and spot Nessie. There’s a very nice pub there called the Dores Inn, which serves excellent food.

Culloden is stunningly beautiful when it’s frosty.

There’s a fabulous beach at Findhorn Bay. Findhorn is a world-renowned destination for mindfulness and is also a centre for ecological and sustainable living.

Agree - but not easily accessible from Inverness without a car…

I think there's a bus? There's a fabulous second hand bookshop in Inverness if you like that sort of thing. But I would recommend going on a guided trip round Loch Ness. Fort Augustus at the far end is very nice.

The Lovat hotel restaurant (Ithink it is called Station Road) at Fort Augustus does some of the best modern British food I've ever had. Bit pricey but if it is your birthday - highly recommend trying it.

When you say weekend, is it just Saturday/Sunday? There’s not much to do in Inverness but definitely enough to keep you going for the two days!

• Inverness Castle has been revamped and should be open by early January
• Inverness Museum
• Abertarff House
• Leakey’s bookshop
• Walk along the river and round the islands
• Culloden Moor and the Clava Cairns
• Jacobite Cruise round Loch Ness, one of them includes coach from the bus station
• Rabbies/other companies also do various one day minibus trips from Inverness. I’m not sure I would venture very far though, yes it might be cold but it’s the darkness that’s the worst.

Thank you everyone.
Will look them up and try and get inspired. I nearly considered cancelling the sleeper train tickets!
Feel compelled to mark half a century of existence in this planet, in some way!

Looks like there's plenty to do, but, might also be better done in the summer.

@Kippykangarooo
Findhorn sounds really up my street. Do you have any recommendations of places to stay?

No, sorry. We were in a motorhome when we went. I loved Findhorn.

https://www.findhorn.org/about-us

It might be me being a disenchanted local but I would go to Glasgow or Edinburgh for the weekend over Inverness. Both can be reached by the sleeper I’m sure.

I agree @ThisCleverNewt both cities have much more in the way of indoor attractions and ways to spend a cold dark evening!

It is a bold choice to visit northern Scotland in mid-winter....and the most northerly city in the UK is not exactly teeming with visitors in January, not exactly long in daylight, and probably a bit shoogly with the weather. I know, I have worked up there a fair while through the winter. That negativity said, you may drop on a lovely weekend and in which case OMG it is amazing...

I would check what hotels and eateries are open - being Inverness there will be places in the city centre, but many close early or only serve food on certain evenings. The further out you go, the worse this becomes.

Things to do: as others said a walk out along the Ness to Botanic Gardens, a visit to Eden Court to see a show (and nice cafe) are all good.

I would consider a car - but be aware out of Inverness many, many shops and cafes will be closed for the winter. You will find a few things open, but take a water bottle and be prepared for CoOp snack picnic!
As others have said you can head along to Moray (Findhorn is that way) and you can see Brodie Castle and Fort George on the way. Lovely, but in winter can be low lying bleak.
With a car, consider the Black Isle and Channonry to see the dolphins (check the tide), and loop round the far eastern end. Really nice corner of the Highlands.
Lastly with a car, heading to Cannich and Glen Affric is just amazing slice of Highlands. Do go and see Plodda Falls and Dog Falls, they will be huuuge in winter and well worth the effort.

We went in May this year (dd and her BF got the sleeper to fort William, they did some walking near there and then we picked them up and took a boat along the Caledonian canal up to Inverness and back to FW - with a final walk at each end so we went from one sea lock to the other). Glorious weather, long days and no midges - perfect! Late April through May are imo the ideal time for the highlands & islands.

but if you’ve got appropriate clothing and a good attitude I’m sure you can enjoy that area in any season.

Oh I forgot - this restaurant is lovely: https://www.mustardseedrestaurant.co.uk/ (definitely be a good place for a birthday meal!)

"Things to do in North of North :-)"

I also meant to say rather cheekily, that ain't North of the North.
I am heading to Muckle Flugga this year, now then I can claim I have been to the North of the North...
For reference, Inverness to Muckle Flugga is the same distance as Inverness to Leeds...

Yes, indeed, the thread title should have been:
Things to do in North of the North😊
@outdooryone
Muckle Flugga, from what Wikipedia tells me isn't inhabited?