INVERNESS, Capital of the Highlands
HISTORY
Inverness is the capital and principal cross-roads of the Highlands of Scotland. As a result the city is steeped in history and has, on it''s doorstep, the site of the infamous Battle of Culloden; Urquhart Castle and Clava Cairns where you can go back as far as the Neolithic and Bronze Age!
The city of Inverness evolved from an ancient fort into the bustling community it is today. For almost two millennia Inverness has been recognised as an important junction for travellers and traders. By the end of the 18th century Inverness, the largest town of the Highlands, was acknowledged as its capital with its theatre, Assembly Rooms and polite society. Its winter season dazzled the eyes of the townsfolk - balls, concerts and plays all diverted the local gentry and wealthy merchants who made the town their base for the dark winter months.
As the capital of the highlands, Inverness increasingly provided metropolitan sophistication and diversions as the town attracted wealthy families from all over the Highlands to settle. A ring of mansions and fine houses sprang up around the town where a civilized living style could be enjoyed distant from the noise and bustle of the town yet close enough to enjoy its facilities.
INVERNESS TODAY
Inverness was granted city status in December 2000 and is now a thriving community of 65,000 boasting a wide range of shops, restaurants and other attractions. In and around Inverness, you can also choose from numerous places to visit and things to do. The city is dissected by the charming River Ness, where the Ness Islands demand to be explored.Overlooking the river is Inverness Castle. Dating from the 1830s, the castle is the setting for the popular Castle Garrison Encounter - which offers you a chance to sign up as a mid-18th century soldier! On the slopes around the castle you will see some fine example of the city''s superb floral displays, and nearby in Castle Wynd you will find Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, as well as the Tourist Information Centre.
Other attractions that you might want to consider visiting include:-
art.tm - Gallery of contemporary art.
Bught Floral Hall - Tropical glasshouse, cactus house, water features and ornamental gardens.
Castle Gallery - Contemporary art gallery.
Museum and Art Gallery - Displays of archaeology, art, natural and local history.
James Pringle Weavers - The story of Tartan, weaving exhibition and mill.
Riverside Gallery - Gallery with original paintings, prints and etchings of Highland landscapes.
Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre - The history, culture and tradition of the kilt.
Inverness is a city bursting with fragrance and colour. A recent winner of the ''Most Beautiful Large Town'' category in the Britain in Bloom awards, the city has more than 1,000 tubs and baskets of flowers and over 30 miles of fantastic floral displays in its gardens and parks. This horticultural excellence springs from the public nurseries in Bught Park, where the crowning glory is the wonderfully relaxing Floral Hall complete with its tropical conservatory, cacti house, visitor centre and coffee shop.
Wining and Dining
There is a wide range of restaurants in Inverness so you can choose from your favourite international dishes. For more informal dining you will find a number of pubs offering bar food, at very attractive prices.
Most days on the city''s High Street chances are that you''ll hear instruments playing and voices singing a musical miscellany that spans Traditional to Travis. Take it indoors to the local pub and you could be at a ceilidh.
There''s nothing better than live entertainment and at the city''s Eden Court Theatre you can enjoy music, drama, dance and comedy performed by national and international artistes of the highest calibre. Throughout the year there''s also a host of other events to entertain you - Inverness Highland Games, The Tattoo, Piping competitions, The Highland Festival, Game Fairs, a Garden Festival and lots more!
