Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands

Does Nessie – the Loch Ness Monster – ever swim out to sea via the River Ness?  Like Nessie herself that is something which will remain a mystery.  Unless, of course, someone in Inverness spots her. 

Inverness is at the north-eastern end of the Great Glen - the cross-roads of the Highlands.  Together with its great shopping centre, entertainment and hotels it is an ideal location from which to travel to many beautiful and famous places.  These include, naturally, Loch Ness, Culloden, the Isle of Skye (driving through the Great Glen) or north to John O’Groats.

The castle on the hill was built in the 1830s to house the law courts and administrative buildings.  It was at this time that Inverness really began to establish itself helped, of course, by the building of the Caledonian Canal which connects the lochs of the Great Glen.  On the forecourt is the statue of a very famous Scotswoman – Flora Macdonald who helped Bonny Prince Charlie escape over the sea to Skye. 

Inverness is a cultural city with art galleries, a museum, James Pringle Weavers (to learn about tartan and weaving) and the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre.  There are plenty of flowers and gardens to admire, including Bught Park which has the Floral Hall tropical conservatory and cacti house. 

As well as going to Loch Ness to try to see Nessie, the Battlefield of Culloden is a popular site.  This is where the last battle fought on British soil took place. On 16h April 1746 this decisive and bloody battle lasted less than an hour.  The fight was between the Government (including some Scots) and the Jacobite army which included some French soldiers.

The drive to John O’Groats passes through the varied scenery and wildlife of northern Scotland.  Off this northern coastline can be seen seals, dolphins, whales – depending upon the season and weather, of course.  On the cliffs towards the fantastic Stacks of Duncansby is a wide variety of sea birds including the cheeky looking puffins who make their nests here.

Now that there is a bridge to the Isle of Skye take a trip to the southern end to see Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles. Oh, also pop into a whisky distillery!

These are some day trips that can be made by car. Bearing in mind the fabulous scenery, why not take guided day trips which can be made by mini-buses and which are good value for money. And everyone gets to see the scenery.