DISCOVER INVERNESS

Inverness is the city at the heart of the Scottish Highlands and the principal centre for administration and commerce.

Advertised as "the Gateway to the Highlands" by the local authority, Inverness is regarded as the center for commercial and industry for the Scottish Highlands, with continuing new investment in traditional industries and new hi-tech industries.

It is also claimed as one of the fastest growing citys in Europe.

Inverness lies at the mouth of the River Ness as it flows into the Moray Firth in north-east Scotland. It is from this that the city derives its name: Inbhir Nis Scots Gaelic for "mouth (or confluence) of the Ness".

The river flows from nearby Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal connects Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy.

Islands in the River Ness, the Bught and the river banks form a pleasant series of walks, as do the forested hills of Craig Phadraig and Craig Dunain. The city is well served with shops, as it is the main shopping centre for an area of nearly 26,000 km².

THINGS TO SEE IN INVERNESS

Inverness Castle at the end of the western pedestrian zone. It is a relatively new castle built in 1847 to replace a medieval castle blown up by the Jacobites. It houses the Sheriff Court and cannot be seen as a visitor (you at least should try to never see it from the inside).
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Wynd (base of Inverness Castle). The museum has a collection of Pictish stones and wildlife dioramas, as well as historic weapons. Recently reopened after a major refurbishment.
Old High Church, Church Street. Oldest Church in Inverness, the 'Town Church' of the city. Historic Tour each Friday at 11.30am, June to August. Sunday services at 11.15am, Prayers for Peace and Justice every Friday at 1.05pm, and occasional evening services in the summer, with guest preachers, as advertised.

THINGS TO DO IN INVERNESS

Located on the south side of the Moray Firth with picturesque River Ness flowing through the city, it is worth taking a walk to the Ness Islands. From the castle, walk upstream along the River Ness for less than 1 mile.
Or take a walk along the river with the Churches Along the River leaflet, available from hotels, tourist offices, churches or downloadable from the website.
Inverness offers activities from golfing to watersports.
A bicycle ride through the Ness Islands and along the waterfront is highly recommended.

ENTERTAINMENT IN INVERNESS

Inverness has a 12 o'clock curfew. You will not be allowed to enter any pub or club after midnight apart from the one you are already in. So don't get caught out as some pubs close at midnight and then your night ends!

There's plenty of live music and good lively atmospheres around so have fun exploring. Hootananny's is the chief of those, offering (predominantly) celtic entertainment.

As in all Scotland, all our enclosed public places - which includes all eating places and bars - are non-smoking. A few have outside seating areas.

TRIPS OUT OF INVERNESS

Inverness is a good base for a visit to the evocative Culloden Battlefield, scene of Bonny Prince Charlie's final defeat in 1746
Clava Cairns, close to Culloden battlefield (leaving the carpark turn right and right again at the next intersection, follow the signs). The Clava Carins is a Bronze Age burial site. No admission charge. Site in care of Historic Scotland and accessible all year.
Loch Ness is not as close as many people think. Jacobite have buses travelling to Loch Ness from Inverness to link up with their cruise boats. Cruises may be joined at Tomnahurich, at the southern edge of the city. For the first 3/4 miles, these sail down the famous and scenic Caledonian Canal and then down Loch Ness itself. Alternatively you may board at Drumnadrochit for the return sail, having visited nearby Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Visitor Centre which carries the story of Nessie.

There are two mountain resorts within easy reach of Inverness. Both started life as ski facilities but now cater for a wide range of year-round activities and have mountain-top restaurants and shops.

Cairngorm Mountain - is approx. 30 miles away near Aviemore and has Scotland's only funicular railway.
If you have a car you can also easily reach the Nevis Range in Fort William, some 63 miles away. At Nevis Range the mountain (which is called Aonach Mor and is 'next door' to Ben Nevis) is ascended by a cable-car gondola system.

From Wikipedia