With free entry, the vibe at Barbazza is a friendly one, aimed at the young professional. Regular nights include Rock Karaoke and Saturdays feature local DJ Tich McCooey on the decks.
Available :
Daily
Inverness Highland Games returned after over 50 years back to Northern Meeting Park in 2011. One of Scotland's traditional games, first held in 1822, it's a compendium of what can be done in kilts, from "heavy" sports to Scottish dancing and bagpiping.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
It may not be as big as the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo, but the annual Inverness Military Tattoo is the Highlands' only tattoo and has been running for almost as long. Edinburgh started in 1950 and Inverness the year after.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
A notable Inverness landmark, St Andrew's Episcopalian Cathedral is in Gothic Revivalist style, with regular Sunday services. Britain's first post-Reformation cathedral (but only in 1869), it was originally planned to have spires atop both towers.
Available :
Daily
Detailing the lives and times of the Highland region, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery focuses on natural history, archaeology and local history. Artefacts include Pictish stones, Highland wildlife, Jacobite memorabilia, Highland silver and costumes.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Whether buying or hiring a kilt, head down to Inverness' Duncan Chisholm & Sons. They will also sort you out with traditional accoutrements such as kilt pin, sporran, belts, buckles and ceremonial weapons, the (long) dirk or shorter sgian dubhs.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Situated in the Glen Mhor Hotel, Nico's wine bar is popular with business travellers and couples seeking a quiet night out. Service is polite and discreet and there is a calm atmosphere. The bistro food is renowned and well worth a try.
Available :
Daily
First held in 2003, the annual Inverness Film Festival has rapidly established itself as an innovative force in Scottish cinema. In addition to the film programme it runs workshops for both budding practitioners and film lovers at Eden Court.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
Leakey's houses Scotland's largest collection of old, rare and second-hand books and maps. Wooden floors and spiral staircases make for a pleasant atmosphere, while a café and gallery space house an ever-changing display of new Scottish art.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
From mid-June's Marymas Medieval Fair to the 400-year-old Kirking of the Council in mid-September, Inverness celebrates summer with a 13-week festival. In between, events include the brawny (Highland Games and Tattoo) and beautiful (the Flower Show).
Available :
Jun - Sep 2013 (annual)
Predating Cornwall's Eden project by some ten years, Inverness' Floral Hall opened in 1993. It is a multi award-winning display of exotic flora enclosed under climatically-controlled glass houses.
Available :
Daily
The prestigious Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup is shinty's blue riband event and 2011's final between Newtonmore and Kingussie at Inverness' Bught Park, promises a spectacular battle. It has been contested since 1896 and the final moves venue each year.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
Culloden, just east of Inverness, marks the site of the last major battle fought on British soil. The desolate area saw the final demise of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebellion on 16 April 1746 at the hands of "Butcher" Cumberland.
Available :
Daily
Beauly's Tartan Heart Belladrum Festival remains true to its family roots, with a varied programme of theatre and bands, both up-and-coming and headliners. It's preceded on the Thursday by the Crack It Open Ceilidh.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
The mighty Fort George juts out into the Moray Firth north-east of Inverness. A permanent exhibition houses the Seafield Collection of arms and military equipment, providing a fascinating insight into Scottish history.
Available :
Daily
Living Food at Cawdor Castle, first held in 2005, celebrates Scotland's wide variety of excellent organic ingredients. Held in marquees in the castle's grounds, there is entertainment, more than 50 produce stalls, informative food and drink lectures, live music and cookery demonstrations.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
For some, the idea that Nessie - the Loch Ness Monster - exists is a myth. Visit the atmospheric Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands to decide for yourself if there is any truth to the mystery.
Available :
Daily
Slightly out of the centre of Inverness, this amazing antiques shop is worth the journey. Based in an old church, Auldearn Antiques has on-site craftsmen who restore cherished items and a delightful collection of lace, china, furniture and more.
Available :
Daily
The Speyside Heather Centre in the beautiful Spey Valley grows over 300 species of this typically Scottish plant which gives gardens colour all year round. Surrounded by the Cairngorm mountains, the centre features a garden walk, restaurant and craft shop.
Available :
Daily
Tain Highland Gathering, in famous Scotch whisky distillery Glenmorangie's grounds, belies the "glen of tranquillity" meaning of Glenmorangie's name with all the "heavy" sport, bagpiping and Scottish dancing activity. Prior to Thursday's games, there is a fell race the previous evening.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
Relive the age of steam on board the restored engines of the Strathspey Steam Railway, running between Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill. The timetable changes throughout the year, so check their website for details when you visit the area.
Available :
Daily
08457 76 76 76
