The suggestive natural environment and all those features make that destination absolutely unforgettable breathing there a magic atmosphere which just places as that can transmit.When we hear that word "Highlands" we immediately think about the Lake Ness,the old Scottish narrations and the famed Braveheart movie which all together are other further considerable features closely related to a territory
which includes Inverness which since several years ago was proclaimed Capital of that magic land.
That beautiful city which is also he largest of the Northern of Scotland is also considered a fabulous gateway to start to discover the cultural soul and spirit of that secular Gaelic area which in all the most remote corners
always has something to say and transmit.
Located at the mouth of the River Ness Inverness was declared the first city for quality of life in Scotland and the 5th in Great Britain and with its approximately 80,000 inhabitants it is today a very active centre in several areas and by many also considered one of the most happy places to live in the United Kingdom.
Its economy is based on new,modern and innovative industries which have replaced some of the old distilleries although that iconic industry continues to be an emblematic symbol of the city and its surrounding areas are still those distinctive places in which is produced thee distinguished Scotch Whisky which never ends to be famous and appreciated worldwide.
That thriving centre also developed in other sectors as Science and today it is one of the most important sites of the entire British Kingdom with the best diagnostic equipments to control diabetes.
Historically the name Inverness was taken from the local river and composed by two words Inbhir Nis which in Gaelic language means the mouth or confluence of Ness that water course which flows from nearby Loch Ness (The Lake Ness) and upstream from the Caledonian Canal, which connects apart from Loch Ness also Loch Oich and Loch Lochy.All those waterways always played an important role in the development of the Scottish city and they are natural landmarks part of of a captivating frame with a special enchantment.Surrounded by forests and hills as Craig Dunain,the historic centre of the city is pretty compact and Inverness apart its relevant historic and cultural past it is also well known to be a notable shopping destination with an variety of malls,boutiques and stores which gave that centre the title of main commercial hub in the Highlands with its 26,000 square kilometres with the huge Eastgate Shopping Centre recently expanded became one of the largest of the entire Scotland.
Administrative centre and core of the Highlands the current city was formerly the Capital of the old County of Inverness -Shire and apart that the Scottish centre is also politically very important because it sends representatives to the parliaments of Holyrood and Westminster.
The local history is rich of historic events and Gaelic legends all them more than interesting.The first human settlement dating back the 6th century B.C with a small former villages populated by of Celts devoted mainly to agricultural activities.
In the following years that hamlet became an important stronghold of the Picts a population direct descendant of the first Gaelic settlers and very famous according the historic documentations because linked to Saint Columba who in the year 565 visited that area with the intention to convert the Picts and their King Brude to the Christian religion.
Legend or reality say that local Celtic Sovereign lived in the area in which was developed the iconic Fort of Craig Phadrig just 2,5 kilometres west of the current city.That castle according historic documentations was built by Malcolm Canmore and related to the famous Scottish story with protagonist the King Macbeth of Alba who killed the former King Duncan.
The name and fame of that centre of the Scottish Highlands started to be pretty famous in all the current Great Britain when William "the Lion" granted royal charters to that site and later in the early 13th century Alexander II founded an Abbey hosting a Dominican congregation. Around that Religious building was developed the current city with a further expansion in the 14th century when it became the cultural core of the Highlands.
Inverness was also one of the Scottish centres famous for the bloody wars between Scots and English and the former city was devastated in the famous Battle of Harlaw in the year 1411.
The famed figure linked to the name of Robert the Bruce was the leader in charge of recovering the former Inverness rebuilding and establishing there an important town which continued to mark the history of that land.
When such centre was totally redeveloped thanks to its strategic geographic position the Scottish Monarchs,the Highlanders,Jacobite and the English restarted to fight in several occasions and sadly Inverness was devastated many times again.
In the year 1562 in order to the end of the insurgency of the Earl Huntly, Mary I Queen of England who was that emblematic character so famous to restore the Catholicism as official Religion after the Protestant movement already started in the previous Reigns and well known with the peculiar nickname "Bloody Mary"decided to go to Inverness.
An important episode is related to such Royal figure because saying once she was in that centre of the Highlands was denied her the access despite the powerful Clans Munro and Fraser took the castle for her.Today you can see in the city as witness of that story the house in which that Queen lived in Bridge Street.
The popular feast of Marymass is celebrated honouring that historic event and to commemorate that iconic Queen next the image of the Virgin Mary.In that year Inverness was reoccupied by the English troops and Oliver Cronwell ordered after several battles and disputes in the year 1652 to restore the town and establishing a fortified citadel which was erected in the northern side of the current Inverness.That English leader erected a fort capable of housing over1,000 soldiers with the exception of one end of the ramparts which were demolished during a restoration.In the year 1715 after other several years of attempts by the Jacobite divisions to occupy the fortress there was a further arrangement and in 1727 the Government decided to build Fort George which was destroyed by the Jacobite troops once again in the year 1746.The history of Inverness after the decision of the Jacobite House to escape to France followed the history of Great Britain until today.
The local architecture is pretty young mainly dated the 19th century for the reason the city was epicentre of many battles and the major part of the original buildings were totally devastated and some of them were rebuilt reusing the foundations but adopting new architectonic styles more responsive and in vogue at that time.
You can start the visit from the the Town Hall situated in the core of Inverness and it is a typical and classic Victorian building erected in the year 1921.That site is particularly famous because it was the place in which was celebrated the first Council of Ministers outside London.
The base of that building highlighted by the majestic architectonic silhouette loyal to that traditional British style and its charming marked lines is known as market cross and it contains the Clach-na-Cuddain the stone of the tubs and it was a place frequented by washerwomen who worked along the banks of the Loch Ness.
Balnain House is a beautiful white Georgian house and until the year 2000 it housed the Museum of the music of the Highlands and the Islands of Scotland.Unfortunately that superb collection is no longer accessible and the building currently hosts the Regional headquarters of the National Trust of Scotland and a permanent exhibition related to Gaelic music which was arranged over several years and hosting seminars for the teaching of traditional instruments such as fiddle,harp and whistle part of the local deeply rooted culture.Another relevant site which worth a visit is Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.Established in a building dated the year 1880 and that museum hosts most of its collection coming from the first exhibition of the city which was built in 1926 by the Northern Institute for the Promotion of Science and Literature.
That more than interesting site offers a notable number of rooms and on the ground floor was established an ample space dedicated to geology natural history and the impressive archaeological heritage of the Highlands.
The first floor shows the recent thriving history of Inverness and surrounding areas and also memorabilia of the Jacobite period in an area which displays weapons,authentic Highland bagpipes,silver objects and other very interesting historic items.
Apart from that huge range of relevant pieces the Museum includes a lot of services like elevators,meeting rooms,activities for children and adults and a project called Hands-on Discovery Centre which offers a new way to discover the specimens,objects and accessories from the permanent collections.In addition the complex hosts a bar and a shop in the case you want to to buy some postcards, books and gift items and the complex also provides an Information Centre.
The Cathedral of Inverness is undoubtedly one of the main highlights of the city.That splendid Religious building is dedicated to St.Andrew and the construction is dated 1860 although it was consecrated 14 years later.
Commissioned by the Bishop Eden and it is a construction which reflects a splendid Neo-Gothic style with twin towers in the front.The Cathedral was developed on an ample and long rectangular space and decorated by Alexander Ross but the lack of funds prevented the immediate construction of those two giant towers inserted in the original design visible today.
A relevant historic architectonic detail is that it was the first new Cathedral built after the Reformation in a Gothic or better in Neo Gothic style in a period particularly highlighted by an artistic movement oriented to an artistic renaissance inspired the old and previous architectonic canons related to a deep revival to revalue
those magnificent kind of buildings erected in the Middle Ages in all Great Britain.
In its interior one of its highlights is a relevant baptismal font made by the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and another considerable attraction consists in five gold icons a donation by the Tsars of Russia.
If you take a look along the river you will notice the presence of a big number of Churches and all them are considered a great attraction and obviously part of the notable historic and cultural local patrimony.Some years ago Inverness Tourism Board created an interesting brochure with the title The Churches along the river and it was a sort of a special invitation and proposal to incentive the visit of those nine churches in that Scottish city.
Religion and Christianity always played an important cultural role in that territory and for long time those Religious Temples represented the symbol of the history of the Christian Highlands directly linked to the presence of St.Columba who in ancient times started to convert the Picts as previously mentioned.
Worth a visit naturally for all that St.Columba High Church which was erected in the year 1852 by the architects MacKenzie and Matthews.
The style of that Religious construction arranged on a rectangular plan shows a Gothic silhouette and the front present a magnificent rose window loyal to the adopted style which describes some Bible themes.
Apart its scenic location on the river notable is the architectonic arrangement of the main body of that Sacred building adjacent to an imposing bell tower.The gable high facade shows an arched portal beneath a large stained glass windows while the tower was developed on a square base and highlighted by charming stained glass windows and a splendid spire placed over three strong blocks.
That Church according historic information was burned in the year 1940 and it was rebuilt using materials coming from an old cinema.
The Old High Church is also a historic monument situated on the Mount St.Michael highlighted by a tower dating back the Middle Ages and it is the oldest surviving Religious element present in the city. Scotland.
When the Battle of Culloden took place the Church was used for other purposes as a prison and today
is used by the Church of Scotland congregation.The building was rebuilt in the 18th century with the addition of some further details in the 19 century.
That magnificent stoned construction was developed on a long rectangular base is characterised by architectonic concepts of the 1700 in Scotland mainly devoted to an use of stone as predominant material and colours as its gable gray roof which is another highlight and also for its meticulous composition and an use of numerous curved stained glass windows placed on the walls all around its perimeter.
The most scenic and impressive highlight is its imposing bell tower erected on a square plan with a circular watch placed beneath a sort of square balcony on which was placed a polygonal turret covered by a conical spire with pinnacle.
Another important construction is the Church of St. Mary founded in the year 1837.That Sacred building is characterised by a very attractive Gothic gable facade with a splendid large stained glass window and flanked by two towers with magnificent decorated spires.
Also relevant is the arched portal of that beautiful stoned building and its interior you can admire a notable
altar made by Caen stone,beautiful parapets and luminous windows.That Sacred Temple was expanded some years later of its construction and worth a visit simply to admire the beautiful and composition and set of architectonic elements and details which characterises all its aspects both exterior and interior.
All Angels Episcopal Church is another historic Sacred Temples of Inverness and it was founded in the year 1886 elsewhere and in the year 1903 moved to the current location.That beautiful construction makes people described as a hidden jewel in the Highlands Capital.The architects who erected that building were Ballantyne and Comper and one of the most photographed and remarkable elements is the window depicting four Archangels also made by Comper.
Inverness as peculiar historical Religious date is the major city in Scotland with no Catholic Cathedral and the Catholic community depends on the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption of Aberdeen.
The Castle of Inverness is another relevant historic attraction and a mandatory during the visit of the city.Built in the year 1835 on the grounds of a previous medieval building probably consisting in the first fortress in that location which was established in the Middle Ages concretely i the 12th Century.
The current Victorian castle was exactly ended in 1836 and characterised to be located in the place in which the forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie were destroyed in a fight for the conquest of the old Fortress.Today it is widely used as an administration building and in summer you can slip in Castle Garrison Encounter in the role of a soldier from the Battle of Culloden.
A wonderful circular walk starts close to that castle leading along the River Ness making it a very charming place ideal to enjoy a relaxing time with beautiful views all around admiring the river and the Moray Firth dominated by that Castle.
Not far there is that iconic place full of memories reminding the battlefield of Culloden which took place in the year 1746 which saw Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army defeated by the British troops led by the Duke of Cumberland.
Inverness is located near the marshes of Culloden which today are so calm and peaceful in contrast with the bloody war of the past.The history of that site it is historically relevant because it marked the annexation of Scotland to England and the end of the independence of that land.
Another great attraction which worth to be mentioned for its historic value consists in the ruins of the citadel built by Oliver Cromwell to accommodate his troops in the mid of the 17th century.
The Capital of the Highlands also has an important Library which has a comprehensive reference dedicated to finding family history of any person whose family routes are related to the Highlands.A lot of genealogist documentations are present providing consultations and that kind of service is free if people books in progress seeking advice in those archives,census returns,old parish registers,grave stone inscriptions, maps and much more.
To know and learn more about the local cultural patrimony do not miss to visit the Folk Museum which is a very interesting exhibition which displays some typical environments and reconstruction of the old Scottish Highlands in a beautiful space containing photographs showing landscapes of that magnificent land.
An interesting excursion very suggested is reaching Craig Phadrig a hill located above the city looking for rides in the forest and a visit to such place which evokes legends and mysteries of the ancient Scotland and it said to be the place in which was established the first stronghold and core of the Picts where Saint Columba met them.
Approximately 3,0 kilometres from the city you can also visit Clava Cairn where three burial mounds show the visitor a human presence in that area since the Neolithic era and they are among the most important finds in the entire Scotland.
Located not far from the battlefield of Culloden two mounds were partially underground and communicated with burial chambers but their coverage is now lost while the third is rather open.In that area there are several castles to visit within a few kilometres among them Castle Cowdor very famous for its botanical garden and for a collection of relevant tapestries present in its charming rooms.
The Loch Ness is one of the major attractions of the area and it is known worldwide for its famous monster legend.That large,deep freshwater lake is one of the main highlights in an area characterised by the presence of several waters basins and Loch Ness is one of the most emblematic apart to be the second largest lake in Scotland.
As relevant statistic It contains more fresh water of all lakes of England and Wales together and the water is pretty cold and especially characterised by poor visibility.The lake is a wild and wonderful attraction and related to the legend of "Nessie"that famous figure prehistorically believed to be a monster which lived in deep waters.Some people says as just a rumour it is a trick of light,others that it is the last dinosaur survived and other links that to a kelpie narrated in an old Celtic legend.
One of the stories linked to that began when Saint Columba said to one of his monks to swim across the lake and getting a boat,the monster appears and ate that man.The alleged and supposed presence of"Nessie" was photographed and immortalised in pictures or by someone who saw it in that lake.Legends or reality the mystery has always embraced that waters basin and the story continues..
Scotland is a land full of legends,narrations and arcane mysteries and Inverness apart the popular Nessie offers other things linked to all that with themed tours as the famous night excursion "Ghost Tours characterised by a sort of guided story tour narrating ancient legends and the presence of ghosts in that specific area.
The cruise ships in the Moray Firth is another magnificent attraction highlighted by the beauty of the natural landscapes and it is particularly attractive also because is not uncommon to see some dolphins and furthermore there are other chances for tourists including a stroll along the River Ness and around Ness Islands connected by a series of gateways since the Victorian era.
The city and the area are also famous to be the core about the production of Whisky that so distinguished Scotch Whisky known worldwide.The famous Edradour Whisky is made in the smallest distillery of Scotland following the same methods of the past and the factory was founded in the year 1825.
The company has no plans for changes except to introduce new variants of its malt.The producers continue use the same machinery and the same spaces of production and it is great to discover how the tradition is so alive and preserved after so long time.
Just like all the whiskeys malt,Edradour is made by malted barley,yeast and a long and careful addition of water.An accurate selection of the best barley drying, mixing and shake cooling and subsequent fermentation are the fundamental first operations to launch the bases of an excellent product.
The next step is the distillation in which the water and impurities of alcohol are separated and finally saving the resulting alcohol in oak barrels specially selected which allow the malt matures and breathing while softening over time.
The Whisky must be at rest for a period of 3 years to be legally classified as original Scotch Whisky.In Edradour factory it stands for 10 years and it matures in order to realise its full flavor,taste and character.Only after those 10 years can be labelled and Edradour Whisky produced only 12 barrels a week.That company became the third largest independent bottler company in recent times along with Murray McDavid and Gordon & MacPhail.
It is really very pleasant to walk for Inverness that thriving core of the Highlands has a centre with several department stores,antique shops and a very characterful aspect with narrow streets,picturesque alleys but at the same time you will notice the stylish presence of modern Victorian buildings and along the River Ness many places so peaceful and emanating a sense of of serenity to enjoy relaxing times.
The Victorian Market shows the contrast between the old and the new lifestyle,the Bars,cafes and restaurants serving typical Scottish cuisine and do not miss during your stay to try the delicious salmon pride of Scotland really very tastefully and of high quality.That iconic product is prepared in many styles and you can also taste the delicious smoked salmon absolutely superb.
Other specialities very recommended are an ample variety of meat stews including venison and the iconic Angus steaks are another delectable highlight and a valid alternative very suggested is a roast beef of high quality.
Also fish (apart the famous mentioned salmon) and seafood are of sublime level especially cod and haddock always fresh and prepared in many styles grilled or fried and also used for the traditional and popular Fish & Chips. Notable and highly recommended is also seafood and especially delicious mussels while the sublime oysters are also a vaunt of the local typical products.
From June to September is a great period to visit Scotland and Inverness with many festivals,events offers traditional Folk appointments of notable relevance.The city hosts every year in September,one of the most prestigious pipers competitions of the world and the famous Loch Ness Marathon and Inverness Shinty Club organises an annual fishing competition.
Innverness is also the thriving birthplace of many sports and cultural groups and special events as the Highlands Games in which all is related to the Gaelic culture and other aspects of Scotland such as some bagpipes competitions with traditional dress as the typical kilt and several exhibitions highlighted by music all in a a very lively atmosphere during the celebration of that famed appointment.
There are several other interesting activities the visitor can practise in the immediate surroundings of the city such as Golf and the presence of an Ice Rink complex in which it is possible to try to play a traditional ice sport very popular the Curling so famous also in the last Olympic Winter Games.
Windsurfers have a great opportunity to enjoy that activity in Loch Ness and Moray Firth and there are also stunning places very suitable for trekking and cycling lovers discovering the beautiful hilly and mountainous areas which offer marvellous landscapes making those stunning places a paradise for photographers too.
The area of Inverness thanks to all that is also famous to be an iconic set about cinema and in that territory of Scotland was filmed the famous movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson interpreting the character of William Wallace in that story narrating the First War of Scotland Independence which took place in the 13th century.
The vibrant nightlife of the city is extremely characterised by the presence of several clubs,local pubs and taverns offering live music and The Eden Court Theatre of Inverness is very active with its wide variety of shows and a very interesting calendar rich of relevant events during all year.
Inverness station permits the city to be connected to Perth,Edinburgh,Glasgow,Aberdeen,Thurso,Wick and Kyle and the Capital of Great Britain London.The East Coast serves the main line from Inverness to London at King's Cross station while Scot-Rail offers services all around Scotland as well as linking nocturnal services trains with the facilities to have accommodation in sleepers carriages to London arriving at Euston Station.
The local airport is Inverness Dalcross Airport located approximately at 15,0 kilometres east of the city with flights from and to London,Manchester,Edinburgh, Belfast and other important European destinations.
Inverness is of course a great destination a great chance to discover the cultural and thriving core of the Highlands,a city which transmits a magic atmosphere so extremely enchanting in that magnificent land called Scotland in which,nature,history,art and legends are a spectacular and sublime combination making it something unique in its kind and all to live,enjoy,remember and undoubtedly generating the desire to visit it any time coming back there very soon.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Hotels in Inverness
Hotel Ramada Encore Inverness
Hotel Reserve Rocpool & Chez Roux
Hotel Inverness Lochardil House
Hotel Premier Inn Inverness West
Hotel Kingsmills
www.inverness-scotland.com
www.encoreinverness.co.uk
rocpool.com
lochardil.co.uk
www.premierinn.com
www.kingsmillshotel.com
www.explore-inverness.com
www.visithighlands.com
www.scotland-info.co.uk
www.visitscotland.com
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