Inveraray, a quaint white-washed town with friendly locals, has positioned itself perfectly beside the calm waters of Loch Fyne and picturesque views of the Scottish Highlands. It’s a small, 18th-century county town located on Scotland’s Argyll and Bute. With its famous castle and jail as well as its inviting aesthetic, Inveraray attracts day-trippers year round. Here are the best things to do in Inveraray.
How to get to Inverarary
If you’re coming from Glasgow, it’s easy to reach Inveraray by taking the 926 bus from the Buchanan Bus Station. Check the timetable here. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you’re already on Argyll and Bute, you can take the 486 bus coming every couple of hours or so. You can find the 486 timetable here. You’ll reach the town centre in about an hour and 20 minutes.
From Edinburgh, however, you’ll need to first go to Glasgow and then hop on the 926 bus.
You could easily make this a day trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Things to do in Inveraray
Enjoy views of Loch Fyne.
Once arriving, you’ll be let out just by Loch Fyne. Take a stroll around and enjoy the view of old boats, and if you’re lucky, you’ll witness the mystical, eerie fog lingering over the loch. It will be a hit or miss with the weather. I’ve experienced both sunny and gloomy days in Inveraray, but I’ve always much preferred the gloomy. It suits the town well.
One of the best things to do Inveraray is eat ice cream while you stroll. The most popular spot would be The Green Door. Pop in, get your favorite flavor, and go wander around or sit and enjoy the views a bit longer.
Visit the Inveraray Castle.
Famously seen in the TV series Downton Abbey and the home of the Duke of Argyll, the Inveraray Castle is lovely with its grey-stoned walls and four conical roofs. Its architecture is very traditional of the Gothic Revival. The castle also boasts a lovely garden for visitors to wander through, too.
Take a tour of the Inveraray Jail.
Visit the 19th century Scottish prison and experience what life was like for the men, women, children, and alleged lunatics that once served their years there. The Inveraray Jail relatively cheap to visit and is pretty fun with the live characters, wax figures, and prison-like activities you can do once you’re inside.
Eat and drink at The George.
The George is an inviting, cozy and traditional pub and restaurant located on the main street. They’ve got plenty of Scottish food, great beer, and even better staff. It’s also a nice little hotel. The George Hotel is slightly visibly in the picture above with all the plants outside.
Shop around the boutique stores.
Inveraray is home to several nice boutique shops. The Hive is a great one with organic products as well as jewelry and handmade art. I purchased a gorgeous silver ring with a flower on it from them and I always get compliments when wearing it. There’s also Loch Fyne Whiskies, Inverary’s very own whisky distillers. Simply wander around a pop into wherever suits your fancy.
Have you visited Inveraray? What did you think? Share in the comments below! Looking for more Scotland articles?
