GUIDES

Inverness Guide

Inverness - Out and About

Inverness, a commercial and tourist city, is situated at the mouth of the river Ness in the Moray Firth (North Sea) and forms the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Church Street, Inverness’ main street runs parallel to the river Ness and is lined by numerous 17th and 18th Century buildings, built using, the local red granite. Albertarff House, built in 1593, is situated at N° 71 Church street and houses an exhibition on the Gaelic language. The medieval houses,Market Cross, the Town house, the Museum and Art Gallery, contain displays of artefacts and folklore from the Highlands.

The superb Neogothic Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, with its smooth marble columns, stands in a park in Ness Walk, on the opposite bank of the river. Both Ness Walk and Ness Bank offer possibilities for leisurely strolls along the river, while admiring the houses which line the bank and the Cathedral which dominates the skyline. Inverness, being a small compact city, is very easy to travel around. A large majority of city’s attractions, restaurants and pubs are located in the centre and are therefore easy to reach on foot. The bus is the ideal means to reach the sites and attractions located outside the city such as: Loch Ness and the Culloden Battlefield.

Inverness - Not to be missed

Cawdor Castle is situated 12km north-east of the city at Clephanton on the B9006. The castle was built in 1835, on the site of the old castle, where tradition has it, Macbeth murdered Duncan, the King Of Scotland. The castle comprises a central quadrangle tower and is surrounded by a moat with fully working drawbridge. The castle’s Drawing Room, houses paintings,Italian sculptures and Flemish tapestries. The grounds contain an excellent botanical garden. The Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, located in Castle Wynd, has an interesting display of ancient and contemporary art and provides explanations in Gaelic. Balnain House, in Huntky street, is the site of the Highlands Music Centre, where it is possible to play various Scottish musical instruments, while sampling some of the specialities of the scottish cuisine. The Flora Macdonald’s monument stands at the top of Castle Hill. The monument is dedicated to the woman, who saved Prince Charles Edward Stewart, helping him to escape after his defeat at the battle of Culloden.

Inverness - Walks and tours

Scotland’s finest town are all located within easy reach of Inverness. It is possible to visit Culloden, located 8km from the city along the B9006. Culloden is the site of the famous 1747 battle between the Scots, lead by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the English troops. This battle saw the annexing of Scotland with the United Kingdom. Clava Cairn and the Standing Stones, located 3km away, is the site of a burial mound, which dates back to the last Scottish bronze age. The deep waters of the famous Loch Ness, are located a short distance from the city. The Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre in Drumnadrochit, provides detailed information about the renown monster.

The ruins of Urquhart Castle occupy a magnificent setting on the banks of the Loch. The castle,built during the reign of Edward I and given to John Grant of Freuchie by James IV in 1509, was destroyed in 1692, to avoid it falling into the hands of the Jacobites. The pretty town of Beauly, stands to the west of Inverness, on the banks of the Beauly Firth and is home to the riuns of an abbey dating back to 1230. Using Beauly as the departure point, it is possible to do a day tour to visit Glen Affric, one of the most beautiful Scottish Valleys. Dufftown is the departure point for the famous Malt Whisky Trail, which takes in the most important malt whisky distilleries, including Glennfiddich at Dufftown, where during the course of a guided tour, it is possible to see the production of this famous spirit; Glenlivet in Ballindalloch; Glen Grant in Rothes, Tamnavulin; Glenfarclas; Tamdhu and Strathisla. The distilleries are open to the public every weekday from 9:30 to 4.30pm. Glenfiddich is also open Saturday from 9:30am to 4:30pm and Sunday from 12 to 4.30pm

Inverness - The traveller's notebook

Electric supply: 220 Volts/250 Volts. Necessitates the use of an adaptor

Climate : the best months to visit Inverness are May to September. April and October are acceptable. In winter it is advisable to avoid the Highlands.

Opening hours : Shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm. The banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. The post offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

Inverness - A pocket guide

Inverness offers a wide choice of shops offering Scottish products: The Scottish Swater Store at N° 9 Drummond Street, Duncan Chisholm and Sons Ltd at N° 47 Castle Street and for fine wool products, the Holm Woolen Mills.

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