Inverness Botanic Gardens
Inverness Botanic Gardens, run by High Life Highland, are the UK's most northerly botanic gardens. Glasshouses full of tropical plants and cacti sit alongside outdoor beds of native and exotic species, and Café Botanics makes it an easy, warm stop when the Highland weather turns.
Photos
David Cann
What to see
The Tropical House is the main draw, with lush planting that feels a world away from the Highlands, and a separate Cactus House holds desert plants. Outside, the gardens mix native and exotic species on bark, grass and gravel paths. Allow an hour to an hour and a half. The glasshouses make it a good choice for a wet day, since you can spend much of the visit under cover. Families can use it as a calm hour between busier sights, and keen gardeners will find plenty to look at in the outdoor beds through the seasons. Bike stands at the main entrance make it easy to arrive by bicycle.
Café and community
Café Botanics serves coffee, cake and lunch. The gardens also run the Grow Project, where people can volunteer as gardeners and learn growing skills, and a plant nursery initiative. Donations help keep the gardens going.
Combining your visit
The gardens are next to Inverness Leisure Centre, a short walk from the Ness Islands, whose footbridges and woodland paths lead back along the river into town. Whin Park, with its boating pond and play area, is close by for younger children.
Highlights
- UK's most northerly botanic gardens
- Tropical House and Cactus House
- Café Botanics for coffee, cake and lunch
- Near the Ness Islands
Good to know
- Only assistance dogs are allowed in the gardens and café.
- Parking is at the adjacent Inverness Leisure Centre, with accessible spaces by the café.
- Paths include bark, grass and gravel, and the glasshouses have split levels reached by steps.
- A wheelchair can be borrowed on request.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: highlifehighland.com