Welcome to Inverness, Capital of the Highlands

The city holds major historical significance, being the capital of the Picts under King Brude and then going on to become a royal fortress and stronghold for centuries to follow. The 19th century castle that overlooks the river was built on the remains of the fortress destroyed in 1746 by the Jacobites. Still marked by its history, Inverness became a rapidly growing city in the late 2Oth and early 21st centuries.

As one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, there is plenty to do both in and around Inverness. Why not start out with a tour on an open-topped bus to see the historic sights of the city and get a feel for the immense architecture? If you are partial to shopping, be tempted by the Eastgate shopping complex and the Victorian market for a range of contemporary and traditional goods. If music is more your style, there are two summer music festivals, Rockness and Tartan Heart Festival, which make up part of the annual events calendar. Other happenings throughout the year include Burns Night suppers, which take place around the Loch Ness area, and the City of Inverness Highland Games. Inverness is also a key location for the Annual Royal National Mod, an event which celebrates Scottish Gaelic art, culture and song and circulates around numerous Scottish towns. A short journey to the seaside town of Nairn brings on its way Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and Fort George. Most interests are catered for, as there are three golf courses, a leisure centre, an ice rink and opportunities to go fishing, walking, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and quad biking.

Not too far away from Inverness lies Loch Ness; a cruise down the Caledonian canal will reveal the colossal lake and its illustrious monster, Nessie. If you enjoy the great outdoors, you could always walk up to Craig Phadrig and stroll around the former stronghold of Pictish Kings. Here, take in views of Moray Firth and from Chanonry point you may even catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins. They can be seen all year round, although there are usually more sightings in the summer months.

Experiment by going to Hootananny on Church Street, where Thai cuisine is served in a Scottish-themed pub with Scottish bands playing live on a regular basis. You could also head down to Johnny Foxes for more live entertainment and bar meals.

If you don't mind travelling 15 miles west of Inverness, tours run ofGlen Ord Whisky Distillery; the admission fee is £5.

The northernmost Anglican cathedral is worth your time. Alexander Ross’ awe-inspiring architecture gives an insight into Scotland’s fascinating but turbulent religious history. Inverness Cathedral is also a shining example of Scottish craftsmanship and excellence and should undoubtedly be on your must-see list when visiting Inverness. 

The cathedral is open daily from 8am to 7pm. Admission is free. There is also an adjacent cafe and shop, open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm. 

By car: 

• Inverness is an approximate 3 hour drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. The most popular route to follow is the A9 Highland Tourist Route. 

By Plane: 

• Inverness airport offers flights to and from many major cities within and outside of the UK. 

By bus: 

• The CityLink buses offer services from other major cities in Scotland and even London that will take you to Inverness. 

By train: 

• Consider the sleeper train from London Euston, which leaves around 9pm and arrives in Inverness between 8 and 9am, depending on the day. Note there are no sleeper trains on a Saturday.

The city is not big so you can easily walk around to get to where you need to go. When venturing further out, driving is your safest bet.