Things to see and do
There are literally hundreds of things to see and do in the local Highland area.
Merkinch Local Nature Reserve was designated in November 2007 . It is the only Local Nature Reserve in the Highland Council area and is the 50th Nature Reserve in Scotland.
Merkinch Local Nature Reserve consists of 54.7 hectares of land and foreshore to the west of where the River Ness enters the sea. To the south it is bounded by the Caledonian Canal, where it enters the Beauly Firth; the north western boundary of the Carse Industrial Estate and to the east by the main housing area of Merkinch. The northern boundary is down to the low water (spring) mark.
The Reserve is within walking distance of Tangle Tower,. From the front door turn right and walk towards the turning circle, you will notice a sign over to the left hand side. The reserve consists of of 54.7 hectares of land and foreshore to the west of where the River Ness enters the sea. To the south it is bounded by the Caledonian Canal, where it enters the Beauly Firth; to the north west by the boundary of the Carse Industrial Estate and to the east by the main housing area of Merkinch. The northern boundary is down to the low water (spring) mark. It makes a lovely walk on a bright day and if you’re lucky you may see some of the local wildlife!
The Old Ferry Ticket Office is located at the former ferry slipway at South Kessock in Inverness, now known locally as the turning circle. The building was formerly used as the ticket office for the old roll-on, roll-off Kessock Ferry which linked Inverness and the Black Isle before the construction of the Kessock Bridge in 1982.
Since the ferry service ceased the building has undergone refurbishment work and has now been transformed into a multi-use space, housing displays, exhibitions and other educational references relating to the local area and its history.
The Ticket Office is fondly remembered by local people and by older folk as the place you would once have bought your ticket for the Ferry for a trip across to the Black Isle; but also, later in its existence, as a welcoming, informal ‘place to go with the kids’ when it was used as a base for informal environmental education activities for South Kessock and Merkinch.
Opening hours are from 2.00 to 4.00pm Mondays to Saturdays.
Taking in Inverness and the surrounding areas.
If your looking for a great resource to aid in planning your days out whilst in the Scottish Highlands look no further. Visit Inverness and Loch Ness provide a detailed list of activities what-ever the weather.
River Ness
The River Ness may not be as famous as the nearby Loch with its monster, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a stroll. You will find a vast majority of Inverness’ top attractions and some amazing restaurants are situated along its shores, including Inverness Castle, Whin Park, Eden Court Theater and St. Andrews Cathedral. And of course, it culminates in Loch Ness. River Ness also houses the Ness Islands, which are extremely popular nature retreats for Inverness locals.
The Highlanders Museum (Queen’s Own Highlanders Collection) is situated within the the stunning grounds of Fort George, Nr Inverness, overlooking the Moray Firth.. The Museum covers three floors of Fort George’s former Lieutenant Governors’ House. The museum houses roughly 20,000 artefacts and an estimated 10,000 documents and photographs. The museum is the largest regimental museum in Scotland, outside Edinburgh.
4 star visitor attraction: a Highland Distillery Visitor Centre with a range of tours and award winning whisky available.
The Tomatin Distillery lies just 16 miles south of Inverness and 15 miles north of Aviemore on the A9 – convenient for anyone travelling to or from the Highlands!
We are open 7 days all year round!
November-March 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday
12pm-4pm Sunday
April-October 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Sunday