Inverness is a city in the Highlands of Scotland.
Understand
Advertised as "the Gateway to the Highlands" by the local authority, Inverness is regarded as the center for commercial and industry for the Scottish Highlands, with continuing new investment in traditional industries and new hi-tech industries. It is also claimed as one of the fastest growing towns in Europe.
Get in
By plane
Inverness has an airport served by British Airways, Easyjet, BMI, Eastern Airways, AerArran, and Highland Airways. It is sited between Nairn and Inverness and accessible from the Inverness - Aberdeen road. Limited charter services fly out from this airport. A taxi from the airport into the city costs between £10 and £12. There are also buses.
By car
Inverness can be reached from the south by the A9 from the south (Perth & M90 from Edinburgh, Glasgow) and from Aberdeen, 110 miles by the A96 road. The A82 reaches Inverness from the south-west, Loch Ness, Fort William and eventually to Skye. None of the roads to Inverness are entirely dual-carriageway. The A9 continues to Thurso on the extreme north coast of the Scottish mainland.
By train
Inverness railway station is located in the City Centre. There are direct services to Edinburgh, Glasgow and London from the south and Aberdeen from the east. There are two scenic lines to Thurso/Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh.
By bus
Buses from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, operated by Citylink and Megabus
Stagecoach Bluebird buses from Aberdeen
National Express run buses from England.
By boat
The Caledonian Canal links Beauly Firth through Loch Ness to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
Get around
See
Inverness Castle and River NessInverness Castle, at the end of the western pedestrian zone. It is a relatively new castle built in 1847 to replace a medieval castle blown up by the Jacobites. It houses the Sheriff's Court and cannot be seen as a visitor (you at least should try to never see it from the inside).
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Wynd (base of Inverness Castle), 237114. The museum has a collection of Pictish stones and wildlife dioramas, as well as historic weapons. Admission free. Mo-Sa 9:00-17:00.
Do
There are two ski resorts, the nearest being Aviemore (great place for the outdoor person) and the other is the Nevis Range in Fort William.
Located on the south side of the Moray Firth with picturesque River Ness flowing through the city, it is worth taking a walk to the Ness Islands. From the castle, walk along the River Ness in the opposite direction of the Firth until you get to the Islands.
Inverness offers activities from golfing to watersports.
Eat
Inverness has a wide selection of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. There are a number of quality restaurants serving a mixture of traditional Scottish food and modern cuisine using locally sourced produce. Worthy of a mention are:
The Mustard Seed
Rocpool
Glenmoriston Hotel - miss it out, not very good and VERY expensive
Zanzibar - Exotic food (Crocs, Zebra, Antelope etc.) Across from Eastgate centre
Cafe1 - Beside Rileys and simply a bit of an institution
Castle Restaurant - In Inverness go here
Budget
Inverness Youth Hostel, Victoria Drive, 0870 004 1127. A modern 5 star hostel with excellent facilities. Some small rooms en-suite, internet, laundry. £10.75-13.50/5.00-12.00 (adult/child). Open all year. SYHA listing and information
Bught caravan and camping site, IV3 5SR, 01463 236920, is just off the main road out to Loch Ness and Fort William. Open March to November, it is situated conveniently for a very pleasant 20 minute walk along the river into the city centre.
Culloden House Hotel, beautiful Country House Hotel set 3 miles out of the city centre, great food, magnificent rooms, tele - 01463 790461
Get out
Inverness is a good base for a visit to the evocative Culloden Battlefield, scene of Bonny Prince Charlie's final defeat in 1746
Clava Cairns, close to Culloden battlefield (leaving the carpark turn right and right again at the next intersection, follow the signs). The Clava Carins is a Bronze Age burial site. No admission. Site in care of Historic Scotland and accessible all year.
Loch Ness is not as close as many people think. There are buses leaving to Loch Ness from Inverness. See the Loch Ness article.
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