Inverness is the administrative center for the Highland region, which consists of the old counties of Inverness, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness. The town has benefited from its sheltered position at the mouth of the Moray Firth and at the northeastern end of the Caledonian Canal. In the sixth century Inverness was the residence of Pictish kings and in 565 St Columba visited the town to pay his respects to Brude, king of the Picts. Given the town's favorable location at the gateway to the Northwest Highlands, Inverness has become a busy tourist center and it makes a good starting point for excursions.
Church Street can boast Inverness's oldest building, Abertarff House, which was built as a town residence for the Lovat family in 1592. Note the remarkable outside staircase. It was restored by the National Trust for Scotland in 1966 and it now serves as their Highlands Region head office. The Highland Association, an organization whose aim is to advance the Gaelic culture and language, is also based at the house.
Address: National Trust for Scotland, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh EH21 6RY, Scotland
Tips: The house is owned by the National Trust, but is not open to the public.
Beauly (pop. 1,500; 12mi/19.2km west of Inverness) owes its title "beau lieu" to the magnificent location of a priory which was founded by French Valliscaulian monks ca. 1230. The west portal and sections of the main nave (restored in the 16th C by Bishop Robert Reid) have survived and the fine tracery on three windows of the south side dates from the 13th C.
Balnain House in Inverness is a house with more than one story to tell. It was originally built as a merchant's house in 1726. Later, during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, it was used as a field hospital. In the 1880's it became the base of the Royal Ordnance for survey maps of the Highlands. Balnain House has been converted into offices and is now closed to the public.
A statue on the Esplanade recalls the part Flora MacDonald played in helping "Bonnie Prince Charlie" to escape through enemy lines after the disaster at Culloden.
This riding center offers short and long treks along the coast of world-famous Loch Ness. There is also an indoor riding school approved by the British Horse Society. Rides can be arranged by the hour or as part of longer holiday stays.
The delightful stretch of road from Inverness to John o'Groats at the northeastern tip of Scotland by the Pentland Firth (110mi/180km) closely follows the coast. In the hands of the Fraser clan since 1580, the family offers guided tours.
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