Walking tour around Inverness


(Above image is a capture of Inverness Cathedral (Anglican/Episcopalian) which dates from 1869.)

This afternoon, I undertook a walking tour around the City of Inverness, Scotland which is described as the 'Capital of the Highlands'. Population is 46,000.

Inverness is located at a latitude of 57.47 degrees north at junction of the northern tip of the Great Glen geological fault on the Moray Firth which connects with the North Sea via the River Ness.

The name translates as 'mouth of the River Ness'. which is apposite as the river flows through the city centre.

This ornate building is the Town House which dates from 1882. It is now the civic office of the Highland Council.


  View of River Ness and Inverness Cathedral

 
Inverness Castle, 1834. This name is a misnomer because the current building has never been used for military purposes although is is built on the site of a succession of since demolished military castles and forts dating back to the 11th century.The current building is used (as originally intended) as a court and for local administration. Statue in front of the building represents Flora MacDonald who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape after his defeat at the nearby Battle of Culloden in 1746.


 Inverness and River Ness looking North.


 River Ness and Inverness looking S.W.


  Entrance to Inverness pub.


Abertarff House, the oldest building in Inverness dating from 1593. The name Abertarff means 'mouth of the the River Tarff' and appears to display Brittonic (Welsh) language origins.


Dunbar's Hospital, built in 1688 as a almshouse and hospital. Now used as a senior citizens day centre and shop.

 Greig Street Suspension Bridge (for pedestrian traffic), 1881.


Old High Church, 1772. There have been a succession of Christian places of worship on this site dating back to the 6th century AD.


 Eden Court Theatre, 1979. This is the hub of cultural activity in the city.



Whilst Inverness has much to offer the visitor in terms of accommodation and restaurants it is best viewed as a base for exploring the local district.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more