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4 Must-Visit Botanic Gardens for Nature Lovers in Inverness
If you’re a nature enthusiast or simply in need of a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, Inverness offers a treasure trove of botanical gardens that are well worth exploring. To make your search easier, we’ve handpicked the very best for you.
Personally, whenever I need a moment to decompress after work, I find myself taking a detour to one of these serene gardens. It’s the perfect way to unwind, reflect, and recharge before heading home.
So, if you’re searching for a peaceful retreat to call your own or just want to bask in the beauty of blooming flowers, here’s our curated list of the top botanical gardens in Inverness. Prepare to feel rejuvenated and inspired!
Inverness Botanic Gardens
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Address: Bught Ln
Contact Information: 01349 781700 or [email protected]
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:30am – 3:45pm
Entry: Free (Accepting donations)
Formerly known as Inverness Floral Hall & Gardens, the Inverness Botanic Gardens spans 2.5 acres and showcases a vibrant array of plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers in every color, shape, and size.
The Tropical House offers a humid, lush environment filled with exotic plants like palms, orchids, and bromeliads, complete with a tranquil koi pond. For fans of desert flora, the Cactus House features an impressive collection of succulents and cacti.
Beyond its beauty, the gardens serve as a hub for learning and community engagement, offering horticultural therapy programs and sustainable gardening projects that promote wellbeing and environmental stewardship.
Pro Tip: After exploring, unwind at the on-site café, where you can enjoy light refreshments while taking in the peaceful surroundings. A small shop is also available, offering a selection of plants and gardening essentials to take home.
Ard Daraich Gardens
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Address: Ard Daraich, Ardgour
Contact Information: 01855 841384 or [email protected]
Operating Hours: By appointment only
Entry: Price varies
For a more intimate, curated experience, Ard Daraich Gardens is a private, family-owned garden home to an exquisite collection of primulas, rhododendrons, and acers, as well as rare species like sikkim rhododendrons, azaleas, and various ferns.
The garden also includes an alpine section with plants adapted to cooler, higher altitudes, alongside other species that thrive in the Highland climate.
Several ponds and water features enhance the garden’s tranquility, attracting local wildlife and adding to the rustic charm of the area.
Pro Tip: The terrain can be uneven, especially in the woodland areas, so it’s best to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Ness Islands
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Address: Great Glen Way
Contact Information: N/A
Operating Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Entry: Free
The Ness Islands is a truly unique highlight, offering a series of small islands connected by charming footbridges that form a picturesque walking trail along the scenic River Ness.
The park showcases native Scottish trees like the Scots Pine, Scotland’s national tree, easily recognized by its reddish bark and long, slender needles, and the Silver Birch, known for its striking white bark—familiar to many Minecraft fans.
You’ll also encounter exotic species such as the towering Douglas Fir, native to North America, and the majestic Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia). Depending on the season, you’ll also see wildflowers like daisies, bluebells, and buttercups.
Pro Tip: The walk takes 1-2 hours, but you can shorten it using the bridges connecting the islands.
Merkinch Local Nature Reserve
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Address: Kessock Rd
Contact Information: 07795 253727
Operating Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Entry: Free
While not a traditional botanical garden, the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve offers a rich and diverse landscape of tidal pools, marshes, reed beds, and scrubland—ideal for nature lovers who embrace the raw beauty of the wild.
The marshlands are teeming with life, with reeds providing shelter for birds, alongside rushes and sedges. The saltwater marshes are home to striking sea asters, vibrant plants that thrive in saline conditions, and sea purslane, often found at the marsh edges.
The grasslands add further charm, with a variety of meadow plants that flourish and support pollinators, even adding a pop of color.
Pro Tip: Bring a pair of binoculars and a camera to fully enjoy the rich wildlife at Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.
