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Latest Inverness hotel reviews
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Favorite thing: Inverness (Scottish Gaelic: *Inbhir Nis*) is a city on the North-Eastern cost of Scotland, and calls itself the "capital of the Highlands".
"Inver" means "Mouth" and "Ness" refers to the River Ness, which flows into the Loch Ness. It flows from nearby Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal and connects Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy (to the west). The city and surrounding areas are now home to approx. 70,000 people.
Right by Inverness is the Moray Firth: this is a roughly triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness. It is the largest firth in Scotland. The Kessock Bridge spans the Moray Firth, connecting the city of Inverness to the village of North Kessock and the Black Isle.
An important day came for Inverness in the year 2001 when the town was granted city status - the first new city in Scotland for over 100 years, and in recent years it has proudly become one of Europe's fastest-growing cities and is frequently placed in the top five most desirable places to live in the UK for its quality of life (and lifestyle)!
Fondest memory: Inverness is also rich in history and here are some examples of the city's most memorable events:
Legend has it that in 1040, Macbeth (Shakespeare) built his stronghold in Inverness. In 1158 King David of Scotland awarded Inverness its charter as a Royal Burgh.
Robert the Bruce (yes, the guy you saw in *Braveheart*) seized the first of the city's 5 castles from English forces in 1307 and in 1562, Mary Queen of Scots ordered the Governor of Inverness Castle to be hanged for refusing her entry to the Burgh (she wasn'’t the kind of woman you'd want to upset!).
Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite troops were defeated in the famous Battle of Culloden - the last battle to be fought on British soil - in 1746. Thereafter, Fort George (now considered the finest 18th century fort in Europe) was established just outside the city.
In 1921 the Inverness Town House hosted a historic meeting of the British Cabinet (the only British Government Cabinet meeting ever held outside he city of London).
For more information about the history of the city you can visit Inverness Museum, near the castle: http://inverness.highland.museum/
or visit this WEBSITE:
www.inverness-scotland.com/
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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Favorite thing: Tourism Office
Catle Wynd/Bridge street
Inverness, Inverness Shire IV2 3BJ
- Tel.: (+44) 01463 234 353
- E. mail: invernesstic@visitscotland.com
* Some websites:
- www.inverness-scotland.com
- www.visithighlands.com/inverness-loch-ness/inverness
- www.visitbritain.es/destinations/scotland/Inverness.aspx
Updated Nov 2, 2008
Favorite thing: Pubs close there doors at midnight on the weekends, its very strict, they cant bend the rules so be in before.
Johnny foxes, Hootananys, and the Market bar the best to visit for live music. All free and only 5 minutes walk from each other.
Tesco superstore open 24/7 just 3 km from town centre. Its the biggest superstore in the highlands.
Above inverness is pretty bland, so go west, its the way to the islands and the best scenery.
Written Feb 3, 2008
Favorite thing: I think most people have heard of Loch Ness at some point in their lives and we were no different. Although we didn't see "Nessy" we did take a (rather bland) photo... It would be very pretty on a nice day though I think.
Written Jul 2, 2005
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Favorite thing: What to Expect:
The Inverness economy is growing, and with the Scottish Executive (government) relocating many beaurocratic jobs here from Edinburgh there will be more money swilling around.
One product of this growth is the new enlarged Eastgate Shopping Centre - a generic, unsightly block of modern building on the outside and a somnambulists dream inside, with false palms, slow motion escalators and artificial light, heat, fashion and people, a slow suction of money and mind. The area of choice for wannabe annorexics and pop stars to parade.
Outside, the newly created piazza (?) competes with passing buses and cars to create some sense of ambiance, rest and space. It fails. Only bagpipes can probably match the screech of traffic brakes and diesel rumble.
One street (Main / High Street has been pedestrianised and this is the saving grace of Inverness. For the rest of the streets you are unable to enjoy the high level architecture because of traffic, pollution and a streetscape of charity shops (thrift), bars, travel agents and trinkets.
Fondest memory: From the bus / train stations, walk onto the busy street, cross over and walk through the covered "victorian market" until you reach Church Street (see off the beaten path tip for bookshop). Turning left will send you towards this pedestrian street, the far end of which you'll spot Macdonalds - the most obvious landmark. Just beyond this is the Tourist Information Office. Its about 10 minutes with a rucsac.
Detailed Map Inverness
Updated Jul 2, 2004
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Favorite thing: The first Locks were easy handling, as we were lucky to be almost alone. This gave us good time to get used to things. Usually the locks are full, and there can be 3 rows of boats inside at a time. With the turbulence as the water is let in (or out) you have to be quite vigilant not getting your boat scratched or banged up. Good large fenders and a fender plank is a must. Also plenty of solid rope.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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Favorite thing: At the top of the Muirtown Locks, we entered a longer stretch of canal. It was a totally new experience navigating on a narrow man made Canal. We of course had to use the engine, as there is no room for sailing other than on the lochs (lakes).
It was quite relaxing “driving” through the countryside and watch the scenery pass by.
Updated Feb 28, 2004
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Favorite thing: It was indeed a new experience to look down at the town of Inverness from the deck of a sailboat. It did feel sort of unnatural sailing above the rooftops. This was however nothing compared to what we were to see at the other end of the canal looking down to Fort William from the top of Neptune’s Staircase.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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Favorite thing: I was not used to see “road” signs form a boat, but the one we saw here was best followed. It was a warning to stay off the one edge of the canal, as the water flowed over to the river. A small boat with limited power could get sucked off the canal...
Fondest memory: Read from the ships' logbook in the travelogue here:
Updated Feb 28, 2004
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Favorite thing: None of us had ever sailed in a canal before, and we had read a lot before sailing over. There were a lot of strict rules and regulations, and we understood that there would be a full inspection of the boat to see if we were worthy of entering the canal. Nothing happened. We paid for the entry and sailed happily on our way into the canal.
We had also read that we would have to be at least 4 people to man the ropes in the locks, so we were a bit nervous how that would work out as we were only 2. That also turned out to be no problem at all. But watching a few other boats managing to make problems, I understood why they recommended 4.
Updated Feb 27, 2004
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