Inverness is surrounded by places of interest, the most famous being of course, Loch Ness. People from around the world travel to this lake in hopes of getting a glance at the monster who lurks in the 800 feet deep waters of this lake. The legend is nearly as old as Scotland.
A trip around Loch Ness can take an entire day depending on how much you want to see. Driving around the loch yourself or by tour bus, offers many chances to stop and read historical marker. The south side of Loch Ness remains the most busy, for its beauty and the area provides many bed and breakfasts as well as bars and restaurants. En route there, a town not to miss is Fort Augustus. This charming town is full of great wee shops, and is a good place place to view the Caledonian Canal.
The Caledonian Canal http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-... bisects Scotland, running 60 miles from Fort William on the west coast to Inverness on the east coast , through the Great Glen. If you're not boating, an alternative way to enjoy part of the Caledonian Canal is to make a peaceful 10 mile (round trip) walk from Inverness, starting at the Muirtown Basin (where the Canal meets the Moray Firth), following the tow path to Dochgarroch, a pretty spot where the Canal and the River Ness converge with Loch Ness. Several boats are moored at Dochgarroch, and there is a curio shop which serves light meals, afternoon tea, ice creams etc (follow the lane leading away from the Canal to the right). You can do a shorter walk by starting at Bught Park (7 miles round trip - http://walking.visitscotland.com/walk...)
Canny Tours run a great trip which takes in the south side of the loch, stops at Fort Augustus for lunch, and then goes into the western mountains as far as Eilean Donan Castle. Walking and biking trips around the Loch Ness area are also popular, try Bespoke Highland Tours. Cruises on the loch are another fun option, the Royal Scot in Fort Augustus is a good bet.
An alternative (kinder to the environment) way to cruise Caledonian Canal is to travel on the New Era Solar Powered Boat. This unique boat is the only one in Inverness to offer trips powered by solar power to the public .
Glen Affric http://www.glenaffric.org/glen_affric... (west of Loch Ness, about 40 minutes from Inverness by car) offers spectacular scenery and a variety of walking routes ranging from half a mile to 16 miles and from easy to demanding. The lochs, waterfalls, mountains and woodland combine to create an area of great beauty and tranquility. (Landseer's painting "Monarch of the Glen" was set in this breath taking landscape).
