Inverness (115 miles north of Perth on the A9) is situated in a beautiful location at the mouth of the River Ness. It overlooks the wide expanse of the Moray Firth to the north-east and is surrounded by mountains to the south and west. It was founded in the 12th century but the oldest of the present-day buildings are early-mid 19th century as a result of the construction of the Caledonian Canal. Its main attraction for visitors is (apart from shopping) as a base for exploring Loch Ness and the surrounding area. It does, however, have a few places of interest, such as: the 19th century Inverness Castle which replaced a medieval castle destroyed by the Jacobites in 1746; Inverness Museum & Art Gallery which focuses on wildlife, geology, weapons and Pictish stones; the 19th century St. Andrew's Cathedral; the Eden Court Theatre which includes an art gallery; the Castle Garrison Encounter where visitors can become involved in enacting garrison life during the Jacobean uprising; the Kiltmaker Centre; and the Victorian Market.
There are wildlife cruises to the Moray Firth where you can often observe some of the 100 bottle-nosed dolphins which live in the Firth but more often seals and many species of birds. There are also cruises from Inverness to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness.
Information
The tourist office is in Castle Wynd beside the museum. The airport services flights to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and there are regular trains to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and one direct train to London per day. There are many hotels in Inverness including Ardmuir House Hotel, Moyness House Hotel, Glen Mhor Hotel, Brae Ness, Glenmoriston Town House Hotel, the Royal Highland and Dunain Park Hotel. Restaurants include River Café, Castle Restaurant, Shapla Tandoori Restaurant, Rajah, Girvan's, Mustard Seed, Café 1, Nico's, Riva, la Tortilla Asesina, River House and Palio.
List of cottages in this area:
Sleeps: 2,
Bedrooms: 1
- No Smoking
- Short Breaks available
- Pet Friendly
This enchanting, romantic and beautifully appointed retreat is situated in a little hamlet above the Moray Firth a few miles east of Inverness. With excellent road links in all directions, it could hardly be bettered as a base from which to explore most of Highland Scotland.
Sleeps: 2,
Bedrooms: 1
Resolis Cottage was once an old stone steading which has been carefully converted to make the most charming of holiday cottages. It stands high on a hill above the Cromarty Firth, on that peninsula north of Inverness known as the Black Isle, with glorious views across the water to Sutherland beyond. For such a quiet and peaceful spot it is nevertheless a great hub for touring in all directions - that's if you can bear to tear yourself away from the many attractions which surround you in this lovely area.
Sleeps: 3
(4)
,
Bedrooms: 2
is a snug and delightful cottage situated a few yards from the Moray Firth on Chanonry Point (arguably the dolphin-watching centre of the world!) - a mile from the town of Fortrose (good level of facilities), just north of Inverness.
Sleeps: 3
(4)
,
Bedrooms: 2
- No Smoking
- No Children under 10 years
- Short Breaks available
- Pet Friendly
Just 4 miles from the elegant Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer, a half hour drive north-west of Inverness, standing quite alone and close to a 3000 year old hill-fort, Red Kite Cottage is a charming cottage which has been beautifully refurbished in a modern take on Highland rural style.
Sleeps: 4,
Bedrooms: 2
- No Pets
- No Smoking
- No Children under 10 years
- Short Breaks available
- Sorry No Infants
In a lovely peaceful position in Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, and right on the banks of the River Ness itself, Heraghty Lodge is a luxurious and spacious apartment, where tenants visiting the city for business or pleasure can relax in total comfort and enjoy the wide variety of urban and countryside attractions which this vibrant city has to offer.