A port city located in the northeast of Scotland at the mouth of the Ness River, Inverness is considered the main commercial center of the Highland region, as well as the northernmost city of the British Isles. In summer, the streets of Inverness are filled with many tourists who have come to see the famous Loch Ness Monster.
It wasn't until 2000 that Inverness officially gained city status.
WEATHER
The climate in Inverness is maritime, but the winters here are the coldest compared to other cities in the United Kingdom, and the temperature can drop to -17 ° C. However, Inverness has more summer days than other cities in the UK, and the thermometer can reach + 29 ° C .
HOW TO GET
Inverness Airport is located 15 km east of the city on the A96 road leading to Aberdeen. The airport has regular flights from London, Glasgow, Belfast, Edinburgh, Stornoway, the Orkney and Shetland Islands and several other British cities.
On the bus
The national carrier National Express runs regular routes from London to Inverness (fare 15-25 EUR, travel time 13 hours).
The carrier Scottish Citylink organizes direct connections from Glasgow (31-33 EUR, 4 hours), Edinburgh (33 EUR, about 4 hours), Fort William (2 hours), Allapool (1 hour 30 minutes), Portree on the Isle of Skye (3 h 30 min) and Thurso (3 h 30 min).
Aberdeen is served by Stagecoach Bluebird (journey time 3hr 45min), while Aviemore can be reached by Rapsons / Highland Country buses.
On the train
There are direct train connections to London (100 EUR, 8 hours), Glasgow (3 hours 30 minutes), Edinburgh (43 EUR, 3 hours 15 minutes) and Aberdeen (2 hours 15 minutes), to other cities you will have to transfer via Edinburgh .
The railway line connecting Inverness with Kyle of Lochalsh is laid through the most picturesque places of the Highlands (travel time 2 hours 30 minutes).
TRANSPORT
You can hire a car from Sharp's Vehicle Rental, located near Inverness train station. Or a bicycle - at Highland Bicycle Co at 16a Telford St.
Public transport services in the city are provided by the company Rapsons / Highland Country, which organizes regular connections around the city and its surroundings - Nairn, Forres, Culloden, Beauly, Dingwall and Lairg. An Inverness Roverbus ticket is valid throughout the day on buses serving the villages of Culloden, Cawdor Castle, Fort George and Nairn.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Inverness Castle is a relatively new castle, built in 1847 on the ruins of a medieval castle.
St. Andrew's Cathedral, the construction of which took place in 1866-1869. under the leadership of city architect Oleksandr Ross. The cathedral is built in the Gothic style and preserves several valuable icons.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, which houses a collection of Pictish stones, which are upright megaliths of various shapes, covered with ornament and dating from the 6th to 9th centuries, and dioramas depicting wildlife. The oldest church in Inverness - Old High Church - is also interesting.
Jacobite Cruises operates tours of Loch Ness, 23 miles northwest of Inverness and the Caledonian Canal.
The Loch Ness Museum, made famous by Nessie, is located in the village of Drumnadrochit on the west side of Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle is located not far from Drumnadrochit and is open to visitors all year round from April to September from 9.30am to 6.30pm and from October to March from 9.30am to 4.30pm except on weekends.
The popular national dance of Scotland is the so-called "ceilidh" (ceilidh in Scottish means "celebration"), which has always been performed at holidays in villages and pubs.
SHOPPING
The largest shopping center in Inverness - Eastgate Centre. The covered Victorian Market located in the Old Town and the High Street are popular places in the city and are always full of visitors. To the east of the city center is another large shopping center - Inverness Retail & Business Park.
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
There are many restaurants and cafes in Inverness where you can try both national Scottish cuisine and European cuisine. All over the world, Scottish cuisine is famous for its excellent salmon, venison, game and seafood, and, of course, whiskey. And in Highland, local cheeses are brewed, beer and wine are produced.
Scottish cuisine is served at the Kitchen at 15 Huntly St or at Mustard Seed at 16 Fraser St.
