Inverness is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom and lies within the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands. With an Avis hire car in Inverness make the most of this fascinating city and the beautiful scenery beyond.

Stroll around the Old Town to enjoy the many historical buildings. The host of places to visit includes the castle in distinctive red sandstone and the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

St Andrew’s Cathedral is beautifully situated overlooking the river. Take the time to stop and admire its impressive stained-glass windows and spectacular West Door. The riverside provides many opportunities for excellent walks and watching fishermen casting for salmon. The pretty and wooded Ness Islands in the river are linked by footbridges.

The Floral Hall has flora and fauna of a different kind in its glass house, with a stunning variety of subtropical plants, a koi carp pond and a cactus house. For magnificent views and a slightly more energetic walk, Craig Phadrig is a hill overlooking the city and the former site of a Pictish fort. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the city centre. You can also enjoy views of the Moray Firth from here, home to bottlenose dolphins.

Take a journey back in time in the Victorian Market, where you’ll find a unique choice of shops selling gifts and souvenirs (including kilts, of course). The market building itself is interesting too – look out for the old clock, cast-iron roof and the original entrance on Academy Street with its three round arches. If your taste is a bit more high-street, the award-winning Eastgate shopping centre on Milburn Road, with around 1,400 parking spaces, caters to most modern needs.

Events in Inverness include two music festivals: Rockness, held on the banks of Loch Ness, and Belladrum, with a mix of genres and local and international artists. The Inverness Highland Games, a traditional annual gathering, will give you a real taste of Scotland, with country dancing, caber tossing, bagpipes and much more.

Which side of the road?
In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.

Country driving laws

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
• Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
• Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road

Speed Limits

All speed signs will be in mph.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

• Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
• Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
• Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 or less than 135 cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size

Please note, it is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.

If you want to learn more about driving in Inverness, see the full UK Road Rules guide.

To the south-west, just a 15-minute drive from the city centre along the A82, lies Loch Ness. A scenic attraction in its own right, whether or not you spot its most famous resident!

You can then continue along the same road to Fort Augustus and Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis. Both scenic sites, steeped in history, and well worth a visit. The A82 later links up to the route towards the Isle of Skye. To the south-east lie the Cairngorms, the largest national park in the UK. Aside from the breathtaking scenery, you’ll also find a vast range of attractions for all ages and all weathers. These include a castle, brewery, museums and gardens.

To the east, the A96 will take you to the seaside resort of Nairn, famous for its golf. En route to Nairn you can take in Culloden Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army lost the battle against the royal troops. Historic and romantic Cawdor Castle, also featured in Macbeth, can be visited along the way. Beauly, to the west, is an easy 20-minute drive via the A9. Its attractions include ruins of the 13th century priory and a wide range of independent shops. Past visitors have included Mary Queen of Scots, who allegedly described it as a “beau lieu”, hence the name.

From Beauly you can drive to Strathglass to admire the wooded riverscapes, and the glens of Strathfarrar, Cannic and Affric, a national nature reserve. Should you wish to drive further afield, the A9 south will take you to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

How do I collect my hire car at Inverness airport?

When you land, head from the Arrivals hall to our desk. One of our members of staff will process your booking, and then you may proceed to collect your vehicle at the Car Rental Centre.

Can I return a rental car to the airport?

If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it at Inverness Airport, then you must arrange your return prior to the commencement of your rental agreement. If you return your car to the airport without specifying in your rental contract, a fee will apply.

Do I need winter tyres to drive in Scotland?

No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in Scotland to be equipped with winter tyres. However, most of our cars in our Inverness rental hubs will have winter tyres available.

Is it expensive to hire a car in Inverness?

Avis offers competitive rates for car rental in Inverness no matter the season. Find the best car rental deals on our website and enjoy flexible booking options. Use our online booking form to compare prices for your chosen dates.

What do you need to shift? Our van rental fleet spans small hire vans, perfect for that weekend DIY project; medium vans, well suited to hauling rolls of carpet, heavy floor tiles, or moving the kids to university; and large vans to accommodate some or all of your worldly goods.