Inverness

The Highlands is a land of superlatives. It has the highest mountains in Britain, the deepest and longest inland waters and the lowest density of population and crime rate in the UK. Inverness is the capital of the Highlands, and is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe today.

Inverness is a beautiful, interesting, cosmopolitan and historic city (awarded city status in 2000), situated on the banks of the River Ness. It is well known for floral displays and has won awards for them including Best Large Town in the Bloom of Britain competition in 1996.

Walk along the river and through the streets and sample the many cafes and restaurants, cross the bridges and generally soak up the atmosphere of a lovely city. Walk towards the harbour and look up at the skyline where Ben Wyvis is in all its glory.

Visit Bught Park, the ice rink and fantastic Aquadome sports centre, great fun for all the family. Along side is the Floral Hall, a sub-tropical horticultural experience where there is a waterfall, fish and allsorts of flora and fauna. All open all year.

The Tourist Information Office is located on Bridge Street; it includes a bureau de change, booking office for Caledonian MacBrayne ferries and gift shop. Plus Internet access.

Inverness has an excellent art gallery and museum between the castle and the tourist office, includes gift shop and coffee shop. Local history talks take place here on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Open all year.

Inverness Public Library is situated near the bus station. The Highlands and Islands Archivist Robert Steward and Genealogist Alistair MacLeod may be able to help you with historical or ancestry research, (but it is advisable to contact them in advance of your arrival - phone 01463 220 330 / fax 01463 711 128 or try emailing them at genealogy@highland.gov.uk.

Eden Court Theatre is a fabulous place to experience a whole host of events throughout the year in drama, cinema and music. It was built in the 1970's and incorporates part of the Bishop's Palace. It is said to be haunted by the 'Green Lady' the ghost of a wife of one of the Bishop's who hanged herself there.

There is a multi-screen cinema complex on the retail park (A96 to Nairn), where there are lots of large stores too, including a 24 hour Tesco.

Inverness has 3 golf courses. Soccer fans may be interested in the local team and newly built stadium for the Premier League, Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.

Fancy a spot of shopping?

In the heart of the city is the Eastgate Centre, it is host to an array of modern shops including Marks and Spencers, Boots and Debenhams. Just off the main street is the Victorian Arcade with lots of small, old and interesting shops. Amongst the shops here is a bagpipe shop where you can hire a piper and buy CD's. In Castle Street, at the rear of Inverness Castle, you may pop into John Graham's for a selection of outdoor clothing, fishing & shooting equipment. In the same street is Chisholm's famous for their kilt-making and other tartan goods.

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