Inverness is one of these places which the word “overtourism” was invented for. But that does not apply in February!
One of the attractions for me in visiting overnight in midwinter was hotel pricing. I paid £66 (double room, single occupancy, no breakfast) at the B&B Hotel, and I could have chosen several others at around that price. Fast forward to peak season (or even shoulder seasons) and you could assume around £200 for the same.
I paid £10 for the buffet breakfast when I checked in. It is interesting how they “sell” that extra. Had I added it when I booked, it would have cost just £7.50. If I were to have paid as a “walk up” the next morning, it would have been £14.
My travel costs were negligible because I qualify for free bus travel, thanks to the Scottish Government. That meant my 3+ hours each way between Fife and Inverness cost me nothing. The CityLink coaches were comfortable, pleasant and not busy. Again, I benefitted from off season travel. The scenery was wonderful on the journey north. The journey south in the dark was a bit tedious.
The bus service between Inverness and Dingwall is good, but local as opposed to inter-city (obviously) and takes just 30 minutes. I took a train to Dingwall from Inverness (Dingwall is on the Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick/Thurso lines) for £5.85 – one way, and with a discount from my Senior Railcard.
My Friday evening dinner at Love Dosa in Inverness cost £31 for starter and main course. It was delicious. I can recommend it.
I ate Saturday lunch from Vesuvio in the food hall of the Victorian Market in Inverness – a pepperoni pizza. I think it cost £11.50. It was excellent as well – street food style as opposed to restaurant service, but exactly what I needed to set me up for an afternoon watching football in the February chill of the Highlands.
For what it is worth, Ross County’s bijou stadium is very accessible and pleasant. It is a 5 minute walk from the railway station and the bus stop. It has an excellent pub (The Mallard) adjacent to the railway station. The stadium’s haggis pie was delicious.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2026
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