Inverness

This small town is just past the north-eastern tip of Loch Ness in the north east of Scotland. It has a small town centre that has only a small pedestrianised area leaving foot traffic having to dodge the traffic. It is also one of the first places I ever visited in the UK, arriving late one evening and looking for accommodation…

Inverness is often used as a base for exploring the highlands so there are a lot of outdoor shops and hikers. This is also a great place to look for Scottish souvenirs with lots of tourist shops as well as some more authentic businesses such as kiltmakers (see Highland House of Fraser who are based on the River Ness opposite the castle).

As a transport terminus there are plenty of options including a train station, (big) bus station and, of course, parking. I can recommend the large “Old Town Rose Street Multi Storey Car Park” near the bus station if you are looking for parking (it is big, safe and does pay as you go).

There are a few things to see and do in Inverness:

• Inverness Castle Experience - The castle sits on a hill overlooking the city centre on the eastern bank of the River Ness.

• The Victorian Market (Academy St, Inverness IV1 1JN) - A small, old-style market arcade in the middle of the city that has a great (busy) “Food & Drink Hall” selling an assortment of cuisine (though, admittedly, not much one would consider “Scottish”).

For further information, please see:

• Explore Inverness - Tourist information
• Wikipedia - Inverness