AllWays Traveller Features
Inverness and Loch Ness
Ask people around the world to name a part of Scotland and Loch Ness may well be the reply.
For example, it is the most popular trip run by award-winning tour company Rabbie's.
And Scottish people on their travels abroad are often asked if the monster actually exists.
The best answer is that Nessie – that's the name of the Loch Ness Monster alleged to live in the loch - is very much a big part of Scotland's culture and history.
The facts are that 23-miles-long Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch after Loch Lomond.
Its deepest point is 755 ft (230m) making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar.
It also contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined and the shores are extremely photogenic.
The water is 15 miles from Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, making it easily accessible.
Inverness is on Scotland's North-East coast where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth.
The Old Town features 19th-century Inverness Cathedral, the mostly 18th-century Old High Church and an indoor Victorian Market selling food, clothing and crafts.
The contemporary Inverness Museum and Art Gallery traces local and Highland history.
Loch Ness
The best driving route is to take the B862 from Inverness to Dores (signposts show Dores). Once you're on the B862, it goes all the way to Loch Ness. As you approach Dores, you get a spectacular view of the water.
Urquhart Castle is an ancient fortress which isnow mostly ruined. It has a visitor centre and is on the banks of Loch Ness. It is reputed to be where most sightings of Nessie have been recorded.
Culloden Battlefield
The battle in 1746 was the last to have been fought on the British mainland. It ended the Jacobite cause and has a modern visitor centre with exhibition and café.
Clava Cairns
Pre-historic Bronze Age cemetery first used 4,000 years ago and is a popular place for Outlander fans to visit. It is close to Culloden.
Falcon Square
The mercat cross is made from sandstone and bronze castings and features a falcon on each side and topped by Scotland's national animal, a unicorn.
Highland Wildlife Park: it specialises in native Scottish wildlife and other colder weather creatures and has a wildcat breeding programme as they try to save species from extinction.
Cawdor Castle
The 15th century home of the Thane of Cawdor, a title mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth. It has gardens and a rich history.
Fort George
Built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden as a base for King George II's army, it took 22 years to build. It is argued to be the largest artillery fort in Europe.
You can see dolphins in the Firth from the walls and it has a museum.
Beauly Priory
This is a 13th century monastic settlement. Monks, originally French, gave Beauly its name, Beau Lieu, which means beautiful place.
Botanical gardens
Here you will see an array of plants from cacti to pitcher plants. It houses a sheltered garden and it between the Caledonian Canal and the River Ness. Walking opportunities.
Glenmorangie Distillery
It is in Tain and hosts tours.
Tomatin Distillery
It is 16 miles south of Inverness and it is open seven days all year round. Tours available. It was opened in 1897 by three men and a handful of investors and was on a practical location next to the new rail line and a perfect source of soft Highland water.
www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk
Eden Court
The popular Eden Court has two theatres and two cinema screens and various workshops. It is the top arts venue in the north of Scotland and has been refurbished and extended.
Eating
We enjoyed The Waterfront gastro pub which has a wide choice of meals and ales and is reasonably priced. Friendly staff.
www.thewaterfrontinverness.co.uk
A place to stay
Clean and well-run Dalmore Guest House, 101 Kenneth Street, Inverness IV3 5QQ. It was only three minutes from the River Ness and the Waterfront pub.
How to get there
Air
Inverness Airport is a 20 minute drive from Inverness city centre and has good links with a number of key destinations.
Train
Inverness station is located in the heart of Inverness city centre. Edinburgh to Inverness: it takes over three hours and trains leave from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket approximately every one to two hours.
If you book in advance you can get a return ticket for around £22 but, if you purchase a few days before, or on the departure date, prices increase to around £50 – £80 return.
This applies to most routes in Scotland, so it is definitely worth booking in advance.
Bus
Budget operator Megabus offers some deals from London
Car
Inverness can be reached from the South of Scotland/Glasgow/Edinburgh by the A9, from the West/Fort William on the A82 or from the East/Aberdeen on the A96.
Tours
Rabbie's of Edinburgh include Inverness in several day and longer tours. I was on a five-day to Orkney which made Inverness the first stop.
Useful links
Location (Map)
About the author
Contact info
ISSN 2634-7032
London, United Kingdom
+44 0 7764 198 286