Whin Park

While the boating lake, miniature railway, and kiosk operate only in warmer months, Whin Park draws families year-round with activities from adventure play to feeding the ducks on the boating pond. An outdoor gym caters to adults who can also walk or run along the paths. The gym and play areas are free, but there are charges for both the boat hire (in season) and the miniature railway (under-4s go free).

• Whin Park is a good choice for families with kids ages 3–10.

• Bathrooms are available year-round.

• The park features made paths and one wheelchair-friendly bathroom, but play areas, the pond, and the miniature railway are not adapted for wheelchair users.

Whin Park lies in southern Inverness, about a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) drive south of Inverness Station. The No. 2 bus runs from near the train station to Tomnahurich Bridge, a short walk from the park, and there’s free parking at the park, too.

The park is open 24/7/365, but the railway only operates in summer, opening on Easter and closing in late October. For Scottish school term times, it's only open on weekends (late morning through the afternoon), but for school breaks, it operates daily (late morning through the afternoon), weather permitting.

A 7.25-inch (18.5-centimeter) gauge railway, the Ness Islands Railway runs for more than 0.5 miles (800 meters) around the Whin Park area—including over a Victorian bridge that spans the River Ness. Britain’s most northerly miniature railway is operated by Highland Hospice, which means that profits go to hospice care across the Scottish highlands.