Inverness

The city of Inverness lies between two mountain ranges on the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Its position makes it an ideal place for visitors to stop off at while visiting Loch Ness and the surrounding Highlands.

The biggest attraction for many visitors is to join in the historic hunt for the Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness lies a few kilometres west of the city; here you can join one of the many organised tours, or alternatively just set off on your own private search.

Visiting art lovers can’t fail to be impressed with the variety of contemporary art that can be found in the city’s many art galleries. One of the most notable galleries is art.tm on the bank of the River Ness, while the Castle Gallery and Riverside Gallery are both worth a visit.

The Spectrum Centre Theatre specialises in traditional Scottish entertainment. Its Scottish Showtime offers a blend of Highland dancing and traditional music. Those interested in Scottish tartan and tweed should head to the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, where you can get an insight into the history of the kilt through the ages.

Visitors wanting to appreciate the countryside should hire a car and visit Loch Ness. The stunning scenery combined with a stop off at the stunning Urquhart Castle help to create an excellent day out. The village of Drumnadrochit in Loch Ness is home to two rival Loch Ness legend centres, Loch Ness 2000 and the Original Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre, both offering an in depth history of the monster legend.

Situated less than 15kms from the city, Inverness Airport offers a limited schedule of domestic flights to destinations throughout the UK. The nearby airports of Edinburgh and Glasgow offer a wider schedule of flights to destinations both domestic and international. Bus connections are available from both airports to Inverness, but the majority of visitors prefer to hire a car and make the journey at their own pace.