Today’s Scottish Highlands focus is on Inverness. Long known namely for the monster that bears its name, the town is a thriving artistic city with plenty of exciting things to do. Today, many will know the city because of the hit show Outlander.
I am sad to report that there are no standing stones near Inverness; most are out on the isles. However, what you see in the show is accurate. Inverness is narrow cobblestone streets, quaint architecture, and a meandering river. Go just a few minutes from town and you can be lost in the woods along the River Ness. Further afield, you will find the canal, reminiscent of those in the Netherlands.
The city lies at the head of the Great Glen, the dramatic result of ancient tectonic collision, that runs from Inverness to Fort William.
The history of Inverness
Inverness is often called the capital of the Highlands. It is also fifth on the list for quality of life in British cities – the only Scottish city in the top ten – and the happiest British city. It wasn’t always so. The Highlands have had a rough history, especially following the Battle of Culloden (1745).
The battle occurred at Culloden Moor, close to town, but it was the aftermath that damaged the Highlands. English soldiers wreaked havoc on the Highlands, arresting and murdering anyone who wore tartan, said anything negative at all about the King, and more. The famine led to the decline of cities like Inverness and its surrounding towns and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that things began to pick back up.
Inverness’s most famous resident
You’ve probably heard of Nessie, the water horse. She may be Scotland’s most famous resident, despite the fact that she’s reclusive. Thousands of people each year head to Loch Ness, a short boat ride down the Caledonian Canal, to spot her, and few do. Drumnadrochit, a tiny town at the head of the lake, has plenty of shops with stuffed Nessies for travelers to pick up.
There are several Virtuoso properties in and around Inverness. As with most other Virtuoso properties, they offer complimentary wifi, upgrades on arrival, breakfast, and early check in or late check out.
Getting here is easy. There is an international airport with flights from both the US and mainland Europe, a train station, and an extensive bus network. It is also the gateway to both Orkney and Shetland Islands, with daily flights to Kirkwall and Sumburgh.
Glencoe || Isle of Skye || Fort William
