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Set on the edge of the city, this is a practical base for exploring Inverness and the NC500. Walk to Inverness Castle Experience, cycle sections of the Great Glen, or follow riverside paths for short walks near Inverness. History is close at hand, with Culloden Battlefield and Fort George within easy reach. For a slower day, take a Loch Ness boat trip and look for that famous shoreline. After your day, return to comfortable Inverness accommodation where maps, local tips and a warm welcome help you plan tomorrow. Friendly advice, simple comforts and easy access make exploring the Highlands feel effortless.
Start from Lochardil House, and let the city unfold at an easy pace. Walk to historic sites near Inverness such as Culloden Battlefield and Inverness Castle, then return for a quiet drink at the hotel. Spend an afternoon with highland art and culture, visiting the museum and local galleries that show contemporary work alongside carved stone and clan histories. When you need a base, central Inverness accommodation at Lochardil House places you minutes from the river, short drives to Fort George, and easy access to Loch Ness boat trips and Great Glen cycling. Highland Coast Hotels makes the practical feel effortless, so you can focus on the places, people and walks that make Inverness feel like home.
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How easy is it to reach Inverness city centre from Lochardil House without a car?
Stagecoach Service 7 runs between Inverness city centre and Lochardil, with a scheduled stop at Lochardil, Stratherrick Road. Lochardil House sits on Stratherrick Road, so buses typically take around 15 to 20 minutes into town. It makes popping in for the castle experience or dinner simple, then you are back to a quiet room at Highland Coast Hotels.
If you want low tide fun, try stand up paddleboarding on the canal or a kayak trip along the Moray Firth, then return to Highland Coast Hotels each evening. For longer days, follow the Great Glen walking routes or hop a bike for sections of the Great Glen Way, both popular choices among things to do in Inverness. Book a morning for Loch Ness boat trips to watch for wildlife, or spend a quiet afternoon with sea and river fishing, local skippers know the best marks. These options keep you close to the city, close to home, and ready for the next Highland Coast Hotels stay.
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What is happening at Inverness Castle?
Inverness Castle has stood on its clifftop above the River Ness since the 11th century, though the red sandstone building you see today dates from 1836. It served as a courthouse and prison for nearly two centuries, but a £30 million transformation is turning it into a major new visitor experience. The reopened castle will tell the story of the Highlands through its Seanchaidh storytelling tradition, with a public roof terrace offering panoramic views across the city towards Ben Wyvis and the Great Glen.
Take the coastal loop, stopping for views and quiet bays along the way, or plan longer drives using coastal scenic drives Inverness to map a route that suits you. If you travel with clubs, tee off at courses recommended in golf courses near Inverness, then return to Highland Coast Hotels to relax. Bring your dog and follow riverside paths and beaches noted in dog friendly walks Inverness. Finish a day with a tasting at nearby stills and breweries, try whisky distillery tours Inverness for an easy, authentic way to discover local flavours. These outings work well as short escapes, or as chapters of a longer NC500 adventure beginning at Lochardil House.
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Where does the NC500 start?
The NC500 begins and ends in Inverness, making it the natural base for the 516-mile loop around Scotland's north coast. The route was launched in 2015 to link the communities and landscapes of the north Highlands into a single touring road. It passes through six regions, from the dramatic west coast and Wester Ross to the empty expanse of Sutherland and Caithness, before returning along the east coast. From Lochardil House, the centre of Inverness is a short drive away, putting the start of the route within easy reach.
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Highland Coast Hotels is a collection of hotels across the Scottish Highlands, from Inverness to the far north coast. Each property sits within the landscape, with warm rooms, honest food and local knowledge at every stop on the North Coast 500. Choose your hotel and start planning your trip.
