How To Spend The Perfect Day In Inveraray
Scotland’s west coast is blessed with an abundance of picture perfect towns and villages. Each has their own charm, but spending a day in Inveraray feels like an extra special treat. Nestled along the banks of Loch Fine, it might be picturesque, but there’s more to this wee town than just nice views! These whitewashed walls hold an awful lot of history, mystery and fun things to do.
As a regular visitor to Inveraray, I’ve experienced everything the town has to offer more than once. It’s become one of my favourite places in Scotland to escape to, even if it’s just for a day. Don’t worry if you’re on a budget, it costs nothing to wander the streets or get out into the nearby hills.
There are things to do in Inveraray for everybody and best of all, the town is small enough that you can see them all in one day!
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How To Get To Inveraray
You can find Inveraray in Argyll, on the west bank of Loch Fyne. The A83 is the only road around this side of the loch and it goes straight through the town so you can’t miss it! Most drivers will head here from Loch Lomond, through Arrochar and along the Rest & Be Thankful. You can also easily reach Inveraray from Kilmartin and Lochgilphead in the south.
It takes around 2 hours 30 min from Edinburgh and 1 hour 30 min from Glasgow to drive to Inveraray. Public Transport is available by bus from Glasgow by either the 926 to Campbeltown or 976 service to Oban. So either by car or bus, it’s easy to make a daytrip to Inveraray.
If you want to tie a visit to the town in with a longer journey, consider driving all the way around Loch Fyne. Exploring the castles, chapels and secret spaces on the quiet side of the loch is one of my favourite things to show people! You could easily head north from Inveraray and explore around the mountainous Loch Awe as well.
Start Your Day In Inveraray With A Coffee
My perfect day in Inveraray (and anywhere really) always starts with a coffee. The best option without a doubt is Campbell’s Coffee on the main street. They roast their own beans so if you enjoy their blend then grab a bag to take home with you. There are plenty of freshly baked cakes to choose from too, but be aware this spot doesn’t open until 10am.
If you’re a little earlier then head across the street to their sister cafe at Brambles. As well as tea/coffee, you can get a full cooked breakfast which really hits the spot! For something much simpler, head to the Pier Shop for takeaway drinks and a hearty pie to fuel your morning.
Explore Inveraray Castle
There are few better places to start a day in Inveraray than at the luxurious Inveraray Castle. This is still home to the Chief of Clan Campbell – the Duke of Argyll, so you’re limited to a few of the most impressive rooms. In terms of Scottish castles, this one is quite new having only been built around 250 years ago.
Inside you’ll find the lavish state rooms, complete with the expensive furnishings. However, it’s the Armoury Hall that takes the breath away, lined with weaponry and with the Campbell crest on the soaring ceiling! The muskets were used by the Argyll regiments at the Battle of Culloden and a case contains items once belonging to Rob Roy Macgregor.
Upstairs, watch out for the haunted MacArthur Room. It has a very ominous feeling and the carved bed is connected to an Irish harp player who was murdered in the old Inveraray castle. Things have been known to move about on their own and eerie harp music play any time on of the Duke’s family is near death…
Hike Up Dùn na Cuaiche
If you’re looking to stretch your legs around Inveraray, then you might have spotted the wee hill above the castle. That’s Dùn na Cuaiche and the little tower is an 18th century folly although it gets called a watchtower. No doubt the Campbells did need to watch their back after their role in the Jacobite Risings…
It’s a short walk of a couple hours and although a little steep, it’s nowhere near a Munro! The walk starts through beautiful woodland and once you arrive, the views are absolutely spectacular. No better place to look down on the town and plan the rest of your day!
Turn Yourself In At Old Inveraray Jail
You might be surprised to hear that going to jail is one of the most popular things to do in Inveraray. The Old Inveraray Jail is a great tourist attraction where you can discover the less fortunate side of life in the Highlands. It’s particularly good fun for children although there are a few gory stories they might want to avoid.
The jail was built at the start of the 1800s after too many prisoners escaped the town house prison! You can see how the justice system changed throughout the centuries and learn some of the tough penalties people faced. There are dozens of wild stories about local crimes and daring escapes to discover inside.
Open all year round, it’s well worth visiting, especially for families. If history doesn’t fit your idea of the perfect day in Inveraray, then how about an escape room? Your group will be desperately gathering enough money to pay off your debts and escape Inveraray Jail!
Grab Lunch At Brambles
You aren’t short of good spots for lunch in Inveraray, but my favourite is always Brambles. It’s the perfect wee Scottish cafe, serving great food with local ingredients. I usually end up with soup and a sandwich, but the burgers are just as worth it. Just make sure that you save space for some of the amazing cakes in the window!
Climb The Bell Tower
One of the more unusual things to do in Inveraray is climbing to the top of its historic bell tower! Also known as the Duke’s Tower, you can spot this iconic building as soon as the town comes into view. It also doubles as a war memorial for members of Clan Campbell who lost their lives in WWI.
Inside, 10 individual bells make up the second heaviest peal in the world. The lightest weighs 311kg and the heaviest a whopping 2112kg! All are named after Celtic saints like Columba or Maelrubha apart from one called the Blessed Mary. Watch the bells being rung by the experts or climb the tower to enjoy the views out over the town.
The Bell Tower is open Monday to Friday from Monday the 17th of June 2024 until Friday the 30th of August 2024.
Hit Inveraray’s Shops
It wouldn’t be the perfect day in Inveraray without a browse around some of the shops. There’s a host of independent gift shops on the main street, full of local crafts to pick up. You’ll find far better souvenirs here than in the usual tartan tat shops on the Royal Mile!
If you want to look the part as you wander the hills, head to MacIntyres Countrywear or Dewars Boot Store. Don’t miss the Inveraray Woollen Mill, tucked away near the Inveraray Hotel!
Grab A Dram Of Whisky
Any visit to the Scottish Highlands needs to feature whisky somewhere. While Inveraray doesn’t have a distillery, it has the next best thing – two whisky shops! Loch Fyne Whiskies is a treasure trove of bottles, both regular brands and more unusual offerings. They even have their own range of whiskies, carefully chosen and perfectly aged.
Along the street, Fyne Malts of Inveraray are equally dedicated to helping you find a special whisky to take home. It’s a real experience walking through the door and starting the journey to discovering your new favourite dram. Both of these are tiny shops but with a huge knowledge of the Scotch whisky industry.
Take A Tour On Loch Fyne
Don’t just spend your day in Inveraray looking out over Loch Fyne, get yourself on the water! Fyne Sea Tours offer trips from Inveraray itself as well as Strachur on the other side of the loch. Discover some of the fascinating local history and learn about the area’s wildlife.
Each tour takes around 1 and a half hours and can fit up to 12 passengers. While you’ll want to spend most of your time in the fresh air, there’s a heated cabin for chillier days. It’s a great alternative way to see the area and easily one of the most fun things to do in Inveraray!
Enjoy A Delicious Dinner
The one thing that visitors to Scotland tell me again and again is how surprised they were at the amazing Scottish food on offer! Here are some of the best places to enjoy dinner in Inveraray.
Samphire – Since the west coast is famous for its seafood, this is a great option in the town.
George Hotel – A lively hotel and pub serving great Scottish dishes, with roaring fires and original flagstone floors!
The Cottage Restaurant – This is a great family-run place found down a quiet lane serving traditional Scottish food.
Inveraray Hotel – Enjoy classic dinners in either the restaurant or lounge of the iconic Inveraray Hotel.
Where To Stay In Inveraray
If you want to turn the perfect day into a weekend, here are some of the very best places to stay in Inveraray!
Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa – Stay in a little luxury while you’re visiting Inveraray and enjoy the spa. A good bit warmer swimming here than in the loch itself.
George Hotel Inveraray – Just wander upstairs after your evening meal (or stumble after a few drams) to enjoy a good nights sleep!
The Curling Pond – Hire a whole holiday home for up to six guests near the town centre with good parking!
Fyne View Apartment – A compact 2 person apartment with great views out over Loch Fyne.
Luxury Smugglers’ Cottage – Sleeping 4 guests in 2 bedrooms, this cottage is a wee slice of luxury.
Rudha-na-Craige Guesthouse – Within walking distance of the main town centre, this comfortable guest house offers breakfast and a bed in a quiet spot.
Inveraray Hostel – My choice when travelling on tours to help me stick to budget. Inveraray Hostel is simple but you can book a comfortable, private room!
Ready For The Perfect Day In Inveraray?
So let me know if I’ve convinced you to spend a day in Inveraray! Have you tried out anything from my list before? Are there any things to do that I’ve missed but definitely belong here?
If you’d like to visit Inveraray, then how about going on a Scotland’s Stories Tour?
Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!
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