Highland district, Scotland, United Kingdom
Places to visit near Alness
Alness is a town in Highland district, Scotland, United Kingdom, home to about 5,700 people. Within 50 km by road there are 76 places to visit — 8 hill stations & viewpoints, 40 forts & heritage, 7 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 8 churches. The must-see places are Contullich Castle (3 km), Newmore Castle (4 km) and Fyrish Monument (6 km).

Alness at a glance
- Location
- Highland district, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Population
- about 5,700
- Coordinates
- 57.6960° N, 4.2551° W
- Places within 50 km
- 76 (76 must-see)
- Best time to visit
- October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches
Top places to visit near Alness
Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Alness: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.
- Contullich CastleForts · HighlandMust-see
- Newmore CastleForts · HighlandMust-see
- Fyrish MonumentForts · HighlandMust-see
- Invergordon Arts CentreForts · HighlandMust-see
- StrathyHills · HighlandMust-see
- Foulis CastleForts · HighlandMust-see
- StrathrusdaleHills · HighlandMust-see
- Nigg BayBeaches · HighlandMust-see
- Milntown CastleForts · HighlandMust-see
- Cromarty LighthouseForts · HighlandMust-see
- Loch MorieLakes & Dams · HighlandMust-see
- Groam House MuseumMuseums · HighlandMust-see
More places near Alness
- Chanonry of Ross · fort · Highland · ~18 km · Must-see
- Fortrose Cathedral · church · Highland · ~19 km · Must-see
- Dingwall Museum · museum · Highland · ~19 km · Must-see
- Ormond Castle · fort · Highland · ~21 km · Must-see
- Fort George · fort · Highland · ~21 km · Must-see
- Chanonry Lighthouse · beach · Highland · ~21 km · Must-see
- Kenneth Murray Monument · fort · Highland · ~22 km · Must-see
- Dornoch Firth · beach · Scotland · ~23 km · Must-see
- Knockfarrel · viewpoint · Highland · ~23 km · Must-see
- Fearne Abbey · attraction · Highland · ~24 km · Must-see
- Castle Leod · fort · Highland · ~25 km · Must-see
- Loch Eye · lake · Highland · ~25 km · Must-see
Things to see near Alness, by type
Hill stations & viewpoints near Alness
90 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Strathy (8 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.
- Strathy · viewpoint · Highland · ~8 km · Must-see
- Strathrusdale · viewpoint · Highland · ~14 km · Must-see
- Knockfarrel · viewpoint · Highland · ~23 km · Must-see
- Craig Phadrig · viewpoint · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Ben Bhraggie · viewpoint · Highland · ~44 km · Must-see
- Strathnairn · viewpoint · Highland · ~44 km · Must-see
Forts & heritage near Alness
70 forts & heritage within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Contullich Castle (3 km). Best time: october to february.
- Contullich Castle · fort · Highland · ~3 km · Must-see
- Newmore Castle · fort · Highland · ~4 km · Must-see
- Fyrish Monument · fort · Highland · ~6 km · Must-see
- Invergordon Arts Centre · fort · Highland · ~6 km · Must-see
- Foulis Castle · fort · Highland · ~11 km · Must-see
- Milntown Castle · fort · Highland · ~15 km · Must-see
Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Alness
62 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Loch Morie (18 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
- Loch Morie · lake · Highland · ~18 km · Must-see
- Loch Eye · lake · Highland · ~25 km · Must-see
- Loch Moy · lake · Highland · ~46 km · Must-see
- Loch Duntelchaig · lake · Highland · ~48 km · Must-see
- Loch Bruicheach · lake · Highland · ~49 km · Must-see
- Loch Achanalt · lake · Highland · ~49 km · Must-see
Churches near Alness
13 churches within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Fortrose Cathedral (19 km). Best time: year-round.
- Fortrose Cathedral · church · Highland · ~19 km · Must-see
- St Michael and All Angels · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Old High Church · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- The Barn Church · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Crown Church · church · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
- Inverness Castle · church · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
Beaches & coast near Alness
8 beaches & coast within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Nigg Bay (15 km). Best time: october to march.
- Nigg Bay · beach · Highland · ~15 km · Must-see
- Chanonry Lighthouse · beach · Highland · ~21 km · Must-see
- Dornoch Firth · beach · Scotland · ~23 km · Must-see
- Tarbat Ness Lighthouse · beach · Highland · ~43 km · Must-see
- Culbin Sands · beach · Moray · ~43 km · Must-see
- Findhorn Bay · beach · Moray · ~48 km · Must-see
Rivers, islands & mangroves near Alness
7 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Alness. The closest is Isle Martin (80 km). Best time: september to february.
- Isle Martin · river spot · Highland · ~80 km · Must-see
- Horse Island · river spot · Scotland · ~90 km · Must-see
- Eilean Dubh · river spot · Scotland · ~95 km · Must-see
- Tanera More · river spot · Scotland · ~96 km · Must-see
- Bottle Island · river spot · Scotland · ~96 km · Must-see
- Tanera Beag · river spot · Scotland · ~98 km · Must-see
A one-day trip from Alness
5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 34 km on the road.
- Start in Alness
- 3 km Contullich Castle · heritage site, Highland
- 4 km Fyrish Monument · monument, Highland
- 8 km Strathy · viewpoint, Highland
- 7 km Newmore Castle · heritage site, Highland
- 6 km Invergordon Arts Centre · heritage site, Highland
- 6 km Back to Alness
Plan a longer trip from Alness — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.
From travellers near Alness
No traveller has reported from around Alness yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.
How to reach Alness
All places near Alness by distance
15–50 km — half-day trips
- Highland Museum of Childhood · museum · Highland · ~26 km · Must-see
- Brahan Castle · fort · Highland · ~26 km · Must-see
- Skibo Castle · fort · Highland · ~26 km · Must-see
- Redcastle · fort · Highland · ~27 km · Must-see
- Castle Stuart · fort · Highland · ~27 km · Must-see
- Hilton of Cadboll Stone · fort · Highland · ~28 km · Must-see
- St Michael and All Angels · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Rogie Falls · waterfall · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Old High Church · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- The Barn Church · church · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Craig Phadrig · viewpoint · Highland · ~30 km · Must-see
- Dornoch Castle · fort · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
- Crown Church · church · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
- Inverness Castle · church · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
- Dalcross Castle · fort · Highland · ~31 km · Must-see
- Fairburn Tower · fort · Highland · ~32 km · Must-see
- Kilravock Castle · fort · Highland · ~32 km · Must-see
- Nairn Old Parish Church · church · Highland · ~32 km · Must-see
- Cawdor Roman Fort · fort · Highland · ~33 km · Must-see
- Beauly Priory · fort · Highland · ~33 km · Must-see
- Lovat Memorial Garden · fort · Highland · ~33 km · Must-see
- Carbisdale Castle · fort · Highland · ~34 km · Must-see
- Cawdor Castle · fort · Highland · ~34 km · Must-see
- Moniack Castle · fort · Highland · ~35 km · Must-see
- Skelbo Castle · fort · Highland · ~36 km · Must-see
- Rait Castle · fort · Highland · ~36 km · Must-see
- Portmahomack Harbour Street Fountain · fort · Highland · ~37 km · Must-see
- Beaufort Castle · fort · Highland · ~38 km · Must-see
- Ballone Castle · fort · Highland · ~38 km · Must-see
- Aldourie Castle · fort · Highland · ~41 km · Must-see
- Tarbat Ness Lighthouse · beach · Highland · ~43 km · Must-see
- Culbin Sands · beach · Moray · ~43 km · Must-see
- Brodie Castle · fort · Moray · ~43 km · Must-see
- Alladale Wilderness Reserve · sanctuary · Highland · ~43 km · Must-see
- Ben Bhraggie · viewpoint · Highland · ~44 km · Must-see
- Duke of Sutherland Monument · fort · Highland · ~44 km · Must-see
- Dyke Parish Church · church · Moray · ~44 km · Must-see
- Strathnairn · viewpoint · Highland · ~44 km · Must-see
- Darnaway Castle · fort · Moray · ~46 km · Must-see
- Dunrobin Castle · fort · Highland · ~46 km · Must-see
50–100 km — one-day trips
- Dunphail Castle · fort · Moray · ~51 km · Must-see
- Beinn Dearg · viewpoint · Highland · ~52 km · Must-see
- Kinloss Abbey · fort · Moray · ~52 km · Must-see
- Seana Bhràigh · viewpoint · Highland · ~52 km · Must-see
- Loch Ruthven · lake · Highland · ~52 km · Must-see
- Loch Brora · lake · Highland · ~53 km · Must-see
- Urquhart Castle · fort · Highland · ~54 km · Must-see
- Edinkillie House · fort · Moray · ~54 km · Must-see
- Glen Urquhart · viewpoint · Highland · ~55 km · Must-see
- Loch Meiklie · lake · Highland · ~56 km · Must-see
- Sgùrr Mòr · viewpoint · Highland · ~57 km · Must-see
- Loch Fannich · lake · Highland · ~57 km · Must-see
- Strath Glass · viewpoint · Highland · ~57 km · Must-see
- Dava Way · trek · Moray · ~57 km · Must-see
- Burghead Free Church · fort · Moray · ~57 km · Must-see
- Lochindorb · lake · Highland · ~58 km · Must-see
- Càrn Nan Gobhar · viewpoint · Highland · ~58 km · Must-see
- Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve · sanctuary · Highland · ~58 km · Must-see
- Loch Beannacharan · lake · Highland · ~58 km · Must-see
- Càrn Glas-choire · viewpoint · Highland · ~58 km · Must-see
- Glen Strathfarrar · viewpoint · Highland · ~59 km · Must-see
- Sgùrr Nan Clach Geala · viewpoint · Highland · ~59 km · Must-see
- Meall A' Chrasgaidh · viewpoint · Highland · ~59 km · Must-see
- Sgùrr A' Choire Ghlais · viewpoint · Highland · ~60 km · Must-see
- Loch Ness · lake · Highland · ~61 km · Must-see
- Inverugie House · fort · Moray · ~62 km · Must-see
- Loch A' Mhuillidh · waterfall · Highland · ~62 km · Must-see
- Pluscarden Abbey · fort · Moray · ~62 km · Must-see
- Sgorr Na Diollaid · viewpoint · Highland · ~63 km · Must-see
- Stratherrick · viewpoint · Highland · ~63 km · Must-see
- Knock of Alves, Fort · fort · Moray · ~64 km · Must-see
- Fionn Bheinn · viewpoint · Highland · ~64 km · Must-see
- Meall Fuar-mhonaidh · viewpoint · Highland · ~64 km · Must-see
- Loch A' Bhraoin · lake · Highland · ~65 km · Must-see
- Duffus Castle · fort · Moray · ~66 km · Must-see
- Loch Ailsh · lake · Highland · ~67 km · Must-see
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park · park · Highland · ~67 km · Must-see
- Beinn Eilideach · viewpoint · Highland · ~67 km · Must-see
- Loch Achall · lake · Highland · ~68 km · Must-see
- Covesea Skerries Lighthouse · fort · Moray · ~68 km · Must-see
Count by type (within 100 km)
| Type | Within 50 km | Within 100 km | Nearest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill stations & viewpoints | 8 | 90 | Strathy (8 km) |
| Forts & heritage | 40 | 70 | Contullich Castle (3 km) |
| Lakes, dams & reservoirs | 7 | 62 | Loch Morie (18 km) |
| Churches | 8 | 13 | Fortrose Cathedral (19 km) |
| Beaches & coast | 6 | 8 | Nigg Bay (15 km) |
| Rivers, islands & mangroves | 0 | 7 | Isle Martin (80 km) |
| Museums | 3 | 6 | Groam House Museum (18 km) |
| Wildlife, forests & gardens | 1 | 6 | Alladale Wilderness Reserve (43 km) |
| Treks | 0 | 6 | Dava Way (57 km) |
| Waterfalls | 2 | 3 | Rogie Falls (30 km) |
| Other attractions | 1 | 1 | Fearne Abbey (24 km) |
| Parks | 0 | 1 | Landmark Forest Adventure Park (67 km) |
| Caves | 0 | 1 | Uamh An Claonaite (76 km) |
Alness: questions travellers ask
What are the best places to visit near Alness?
Contullich Castle (heritage site, about 3 km), Newmore Castle (heritage site, about 4 km), Fyrish Monument (monument, about 6 km), Invergordon Arts Centre (heritage site, about 6 km), Strathy (viewpoint, about 8 km), Foulis Castle (heritage site, about 11 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Alness?
76 places on Spotwander: 8 hill stations & viewpoints, 40 forts & heritage, 7 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 8 churches, 6 beaches & coast.
Which is the nearest viewpoint to Alness?
Strathy, about 8 km by road; Strathrusdale (14 km) is next.
Which is the nearest fort to Alness?
Contullich Castle, about 3 km by road; Newmore Castle (4 km) is next.
Which is the nearest lake to Alness?
Loch Morie, about 18 km by road; Loch Eye (25 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Alness?
Start in Alness, visit Contullich Castle, then Fyrish Monument, then Strathy, then Newmore Castle, then Invergordon Arts Centre, and drive back — about 34 km by road in all.
What is the best time to visit places near Alness?
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches.
Towns near Alness
- Places near Invergordon · 7 km
- Places near Evanton · 8 km
- Places near Fortrose · 18 km
- Places near Dingwall · 19 km
- Places near Tain · 22 km
- Places near Conon Bridge · 23 km
- Places near Ardersier · 24 km
- Places near Strathpeffer · 26 km
- Places near Balintore · 27 km
- Places near Muir of Ord · 29 km
Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Alness’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Alness on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.