Whin Park
Whin Park on Bught Road is Inverness's main family park, reopened in 2025 after a £500,000 makeover that added a Nessie-themed interactive sculpture, a play ship and inclusive equipment. The boating pond and the miniature Ness Islands Railway still run, so it makes an easy half-day with young children.
Photos
Curie Cheung
The new play area
The redesign, chosen by public vote with more than 77% backing, created an inclusive play space for all ages and abilities. Look out for the interactive Nessie sculpture, the Legend Seeker play ship, a swing area, a climbing birds' nest and an adventure mound with a scramble net and tube slide. There is also the Highlands' first Sona interactive dance arch, which uses sound and gaming technology to get children moving. Jupiter Play & Leisure designed and built the play area, funded partly by the Scottish Government Play Area Fund.
Boats and the miniature railway
Alongside the new equipment, the park's long-standing favourites remain: the boating pond is still open to visitors and the miniature Ness Islands Railway is still running. Refreshments are available on site, and the public toilets have been refurbished with accessible facilities.
Making a day of it
Whin Park sits in the Bught area on the west side of the River Ness. The Ness Islands, linked by footbridges, are a short walk away, as are the Inverness Botanic Gardens with their café. The small General's Well on the Great Glen Way is close by for a quiet stroll after the playground.
Highlights
- Interactive Nessie sculpture and Legend Seeker play ship
- Inclusive play equipment for all abilities
- Boating pond
- Miniature Ness Islands Railway
- Refurbished accessible toilets
Good to know
- The public toilets were recently refurbished and include accessible facilities.
- Refreshments are available on site.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: highland.gov.uk