Victorian Market, Inverness

The Victorian Market in Inverness is a covered arcade of small independent shops in the heart of the city, with entrances on Academy Street, Church Street, Union Street and Queensgate. It was built in 1890 after a fire destroyed the earlier market on the same site, and its cast-iron and glass roof, tiled walls and ornate lettering above the shopfronts still give a strong sense of its late Victorian origins.

Inside you'll find a mixture of long-established Highland traders and newer businesses, ranging from jewellers, tailors and barbers to bakeries, butchers and gift shops selling tartan, whisky, Harris Tweed and local crafts. A recently opened food hall in the eastern half of the arcade brings together street food traders and a bar under the restored roof, making it a good stop for lunch or an early evening drink.

The market sits within easy walking distance of Inverness railway station and the bus station, so it is a convenient first port of call before setting off west on the 961 to Ullapool, or a place to shelter and browse on your return.