1. Arriving in Inverness: A Promising First Glimpse
The moment I stepped off at Inverness railway station, I felt that distinct northern Scottish air—cool, crisp, and filled with promise. Inverness is not a large city by any means, but there’s something incredibly inviting about it. It’s the kind of place where everything seems within reach. The River Ness flows calmly through its centre, bridges connecting charming stone streets, and small shops, pubs, and cafés dot every corner. It didn’t take long for me to get oriented. I had decided this time I would stay right in the city centre rather than opting for a bed and breakfast on the outskirts or one of the rural retreats in the Highlands. I wanted convenience, walkability, and easy access to restaurants, bus tours, and attractions.
2. Why I Chose Inverness City Centre
I’ve stayed in various parts of the Scottish Highlands before—Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus—but for this trip, staying central was essential. I planned to explore Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and the Black Isle, all of which are easily accessible by local tours that typically start from Inverness city centre. Plus, I didn’t want to deal with taxis or public transport at odd hours. I wanted to walk out of my hotel and be steps away from restaurants, shops, and most importantly, pickup points for tours.
I looked at several accommodation options—everything from budget hostels to boutique hotels and serviced apartments. I didn’t want something ultra-luxurious, but I did want something comfortable, clean, and quiet at night. Location was my number one priority, followed by price and then amenities like Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a private bathroom.
3. Booking the Hotel: Platform and Process
I used Booking.com to search for accommodation. I filtered the search for properties located within 0.5 km of the city centre, ensuring I wouldn’t need a car or spend money on taxis. After reading through dozens of reviews and comparing prices, I settled on The Royal Highland Hotel. It’s located at 18 Academy Street, directly next to the Inverness Railway Station, and just a 2-minute walk from Eastgate Shopping Centre.
I booked a double room for four nights, which cost me £389.00 total, breakfast included. That came out to about £97 per night, which I found reasonable given the central location and included amenities. The booking process was straightforward, and the hotel offered free cancellation up to two days before arrival, which gave me peace of mind.
4. First Impressions: The Royal Highland Hotel
From the outside, The Royal Highland Hotel looks like an old Victorian building, slightly regal but also cozy and worn-in, the kind of place that whispers stories rather than shouting for attention. Walking into the lobby, I noticed the grand staircase immediately—wide, carpeted in red, with old portraits along the walls and wood paneling that gave everything a warm, antique glow. The hotel feels like a blend of old-school charm and modern-day convenience. It’s not flashy, and that’s part of its appeal. The check-in was smooth, and the receptionist was kind enough to point me toward the elevator and let me know the breakfast times for the following morning.
5. The Room: Comfort in the Middle of Everything
My room was on the second floor, accessible via both stairs and a lift. The hallway was quiet, and the carpet muffled most sounds. When I opened the door, I was happy to see a spacious room with a comfortable double bed, two armchairs near the window, a writing desk, a wardrobe, and a small TV mounted on the wall. There was also a kettle with a selection of teas, instant coffee, and shortbread biscuits—something I’ve grown to expect and appreciate in Scottish hotels.
The bathroom was small but clean, with a walk-in shower, heated towel rack, and a full-sized mirror. The water pressure was good, and the towels were soft. I unpacked quickly and settled in, then opened the curtains to look out onto Academy Street. Even though I was in the heart of the city, the room was surprisingly quiet thanks to the double-glazed windows.
6. Breakfast at the Royal Highland Hotel
Each morning, breakfast was served in the hotel’s restaurant on the ground floor. It was a buffet-style layout with traditional Scottish options—scrambled eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sausages, black pudding, and toast—alongside continental selections like yogurt, cereals, and pastries. Tea and coffee were brought to the table, and the staff were attentive without being overbearing. I usually went down around 8:00 a.m., and the place was never too crowded.
The breakfast was hearty enough to last me until mid-afternoon, which worked perfectly since most of my days were filled with sightseeing.
7. Location: In the Middle of Everything
This is where the hotel truly shines. I walked nearly everywhere during my stay.
- 3 minutes to Inverness Castle
- 4 minutes to the River Ness
- 5 minutes to the Victorian Market
- 7 minutes to Eden Court Theatre
- 1 minute to Eastgate Shopping Centre
- 1 minute to the bus stop for day tours to Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and Culloden
I didn’t need a taxi once. Even returning late in the evening from a day tour or a pub, I never felt far from the hotel. It was comforting knowing I could walk back in five minutes, no matter where I was in the city centre.
8. Nearby Dining and Cafés
Being right in the city centre opened up an array of dining options. I didn’t eat at the hotel restaurant for lunch or dinner, choosing instead to explore nearby eateries.
- Black Isle Bar & Rooms – Excellent wood-fired pizzas and craft beers. Just a 6-minute walk from the hotel.
- The Mustard Seed Restaurant – Set in a converted church on the river, their salmon dish was exceptional. About 5 minutes away.
- Perk Coffee & Doughnuts – A gem for early morning coffee runs. Less than 3 minutes away.
- Cafe One – Higher-end dining with great steaks and seafood. Also very walkable.
On my second evening, I popped into Hootananny, a local pub with live Scottish folk music. It was less than a 7-minute walk and had that bustling, authentic Highland atmosphere that’s hard to replicate.
9. Practicalities and Amenities
- Wi-Fi: Free and reliable throughout the hotel.
- Room Service: Available, though I didn’t use it.
- Housekeeping: Daily, with fresh towels and tea replenished.
- Elevator: Old-style, but functional.
- Heating: Adjustable in-room radiator.
- Security: Keycard access to both the main entrance after hours and the rooms.
I left my laptop in the room several times and never felt uneasy. The place felt secure and well-maintained, with staff regularly present in the lobby and halls.
10. Day Trips Made Easy
From the Royal Highland Hotel, I joined three guided day tours: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns, and a full-day journey to the Isle of Skye. All of them started from Inverness Bus Station, which is literally a 1-minute walk from the hotel’s front door. That level of convenience can’t be overstated—especially when you’re catching a tour at 7:45 in the morning in a drizzle.
Tour groups from Rabbie’s, Timberbush, and Highland Experience all operate from that location, and I saw others like Wow Scotland and Loch Ness by Jacobite picking up people at the nearby railway station.
11. The Hidden Advantage: Rain
One thing people don’t talk about enough when planning a Highland trip is the rain. It rained on and off throughout my stay—sometimes just light showers, sometimes heavier bursts. Being centrally located meant I could always duck into a café, museum, or shop without losing time or needing a taxi. On one particularly rainy afternoon, I spent a few hours inside Leakey’s Bookshop, a second-hand bookstore in a converted church, browsing old maps and sipping tea by the wood-burning stove. It’s an easy 6-minute walk from the hotel and was one of the coziest parts of the trip.
12. Staying Connected and Charged
There were ample power outlets in the room, including ones near the bed and desk. The Wi-Fi connection was consistent and strong, good enough for me to upload photos and even video clips without issue. I didn’t use a UK SIM card this time, relying solely on hotel Wi-Fi and café connections, and I never felt disconnected.
