What to do and see in Inverness, Scotland: The Best Museums

Highland’s Archive Service is responsible for collecting preserving and make accessible historical records relating to Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty, dating from the 14th Century. The collections include charters, minute books, correspondence, accounts, maps, photographs and films and contain more than 100,000 items. If you are interested in tracing your family tree, discovering the history of your house, looking at old maps of the Highlands, or just browsing through several hundred years of history, you will find a warm welcome. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and 7.30 on Wednesdays.

This museum combines fine art with historical and natural artifacts to give visitors a more complete picture of Inverness's complex history.

The Highlanders Museum (Queen's Own Highlanders Collection) is situated within the the stunning grounds of Fort George, Nr Inverness, overlooking the Moray Firth. In the summer months the local dolphin school can be seen from the ramparts. The Museum covers three floors of Fort George's former Lieutenant Governors' House. The museum has roughly 20,000 artifacts and an estimated 10,000 documents and photographs. The museum is the largest regimental museum in Scotland, outside Edinburgh.

Castle Gallery, described in the Independent newspaper as 'one of the best reasons to visit Inverness' shows landscape, figurative and abstract work by artists from Scotland and throughout Britain, with pieces by established artists and emerging talent. Exhibitions of contemporary paintings, original prints, sculpture, crafts and designer jewellery. Open Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.

Scottish Flair is a specialist Victorian and Edwardian art gallery based on the banks of the river Ness. The constantly changing collection and exhibition of almost exclusively Scottish artists, means there's always something new on show. Scottish Flair is located within the 1st floor of The Riverside gallery who offer a selection of contemporary artwork - so a visit to both suits all tastes!

This progressive gallery enthusiastically promotes the Highlands as being part of the Scottish art scene. The gallery exhibits original work of respected local artists, new graduates, emerging artists and nationally recognised names.

This art gallery features work by contemporary local and visiting artists.

Highland Aviation Museum is a family friendly, educational attraction just next to Inverness Airport. You can see a range of real life historic military aircraft and even go inside & pretend to be a fighter pilot. For the more avid enthusiasts, there are a wealth of technical facts and historical artifacts to browse. Our displays contain materials dating back as far as WW1. Come along to enjoy a great couple of hours.

Scotland's only visitor attraction devoted to our famous national dress. When you visit The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre in Inverness, you'll enjoy a fascinating insight into the history, tradition and culture of the kilt - from its origins through to the present day. Set within our kiltmaking workshop, the Centre creates a colourful, authentic and memorable experience, brought to life with audio-visual, costume and tartan displays in all their brilliance. You'll see kilts being made for export all over the world and kilts being made for our own retail shops in Inverness. Visit The Scottish Kiltmaker Centre - and discover a traditional dress that dates back hundreds of years - and still has cultural resonance today! The Craft of the Kiltmaker At The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, you can meet the people who make kilts, and discover for yourself the craftsmanship and expertise that goes into the making of each and every kilt - from the cutting of the cloth, to the pleating and stitching. Employing skilled men and women, the Centre enables visitors to see the different stages of kilt manufacture and the individual care lavished on every kilt. How much cloth is needed to make a kilt? How many pleats make it hang properly? What's the correct length? What's the correct way to wear full Highland Dress? This is where you'll find the answers to all these questions! Handmade Kilt Demonstrations A handmade kilt is a treasured possession and a statement of national identity for its wearer. When you see our Handmade Kilt Demonstration, you'll understand the romance, history and tradition woven into it - and why everyone who wears the tartan does so with such pride! "Kilted Hall of Fame" - A Short Film Watch our specially commissioned, light-hearted film and see how many famous names and places you can recognise. These range from Harry Lauder to Laurel and Hardy, from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to beautiful Eilean Donan Castle near the Isle of Skye. You'll discover the rich cultural heritage of the kilt and the part it continues to play in Scotland's history. Wearing the Kilt Worldwide At The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, you'll discover the many international destinations our kilts reach and learn about some of the people who wear them. From people in the Americas with distant Scottish ancestry, to the Scots living in their own country who maintain the tradition and wear the tartan with pride! Visit The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre soon - and be part of Scotland's proud heritage!