Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress in 1835 and sits on a low cliff overlooking the river and the city. Today it houses the Sheriffs Court. Outside is the statue of Flora MacDonald, who assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie to flee the country after the uprising of 1745. At the Castle Garrison Encounter you can journey back in time to 1745, enlist in the Regiment and meet some of its other characters live. Open daily. A piper plays every evening from 7 pm, during the summer.

There are a number of old buildings in and around the city dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Cromwell's Clock Tower in Shore Street is all that remains of the large citadel built between 1652 and 1657 by Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth Army.

The Caledonian Canal

The canal provides a navigable route, a short cut, between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Constructed between 1803 and 1822 and designed by Thomas Telford to avoid the hazardous Pentland Firth on the north coast of the Scottish mainland. It is a marvel both to sail on and to walk along. Have a look at the canal and boats yourself at the Tomnahurich Bridge on the way out of Inverness heading along the A82 towards Drumnadrochit, near to the Aquadome.

Fort Augustus

On the A82 from Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus lies on the southern shores of Loch Ness. (About a fifty min. drive from Millness Croft). It is a pretty village with a wonderful five lock gate, where boats pass through all the time. You are able to walk along side and spend some time watching the boats, browsing in the shops or popping into the lock side pubs. The Clansman Centre is the Heritage centre of the Highlanders, in a reconstructed turf house. It's well worth a visit where you'll be guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable Highlanders in traditional dress, who'll show you how they lived in the 17th century.

You may also wish to see the cloisters of Fort Augustus Abbey. They are no longer home to the Benedictine monks who lived there for more than a century, but they are open to the public to view the beautiful architecture and for you to soak up the atmosphere.

Fort George

About an hours drive from Millness Croft is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not in Europe. Fort George was completed in 1769 following the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie, at Culloden in 1746. George II ordered it built as the ultimate defence against any further Jacobite unrest.

It has remained virtually unaltered, and today it provides a fascinating insight into 18th century military life. Built on a promontory jutting into the Moray Firth. It's a hugely interesting place with its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with canon, and a fabulous collection of arms, including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition. It is a working army barracks, but visitors are welcomed. There is a gift shop and café, (seasonal), along with a museum. Bottlenose dolphins, one of only two resident populations in Britain, can be readily seen from many points along the shore of the Moray Firth; the ramparts of Fort George make particularly good viewing points. Open all year.

Culloden Battlefield

Situated close to the town of Nairn, (about fifty mins. drive from Millness Croft), is the site of the last major battle fought on British soil. Culloden was the final battle in the 1745 uprising lead by Bonnie Prince Charlie, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, as he attempted to reclaim the throne for the Stuart dynasty, vs. the Hanoverians lead by the Duke of Cumberland. The Jacobites lost the Battle of Culloden along with the lives of thousands of men, and the cause was irretrievably damaged forever.

It is a hauntingly quiet and interesting place, well worth a visit. You are able to walk around and see for yourself just how close the armies were on the battle field, marked out by two flags, just metres apart. It's little wonder so many of them perished. There is a museum and audio-visual display to help you learn more, plus a gift shop and café.

Cawdor Castle

A few minutes drive from the battlefield is the castle of Cawdor containing a fine example of a 16th century tower house and has some elegant 18th century additions. In the castle grounds are nature trails and the most beautiful gardens for you to wander around, and while away many an hour.

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