Travel Guide > Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Inverness
Inverness is the city at the heart of the Scottish Highlands and the principal centre for administration and commerce. Advertised as "the Gateway to the Highlands" by the local authority, and long regarded as the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is regarded as the centre for commerce and industry in the Scottish Highlands, with continuing new investment in traditional industries and new hi-tech industries. It is also claimed to one of the fastest growing cities in Europe.
Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a castle at this site for many centuries.
A succession of castles has stood on this site since 1057.
The castle is said to have been built by Máel Coluim III of Scotland, after he had razed to the ground the castle in which Macbeth of Scotland according to much later tradition, murdered Máel Coluim's father Donnchad I of Scotland, and which stood on a hill around 1 km to the north-east.
The first Inverness Castle was partially destroyed by King Robert I of Scotland and a replacement castle was sacked in the 15th century.
In 1427 King James I of Scotland held a parliament in the castle to which the northern chieftains were summoned, of whom three were executed for asserting an independent sovereignty.
Inverness has an airport served by British Airways (in the form of Loganair, a franchise partner), Easyjet, BMI, Eastern Airways, Aer Aran, Ryanair and Highland Airways. It is sited between Nairn and Inverness and accessible from the Inverness - Aberdeen road. Limited charter services fly out from this airport. A taxi from the airport into the city costs between £10 and £15. There is an good bus service, with departures every half hour to Inverness and connections to Nairn.
Madison's Casual Dining in Church Street, just off the High Street, is a great place to have a meal almost any time of day from breakfast through dinner. It has pastas, pizza, burgers from the local butcher made with Abedeen Angus beef and a range of other excellent dishes. Try one of their desserts if you have room as they are amazing. The place is really reasonably priced too.
Ardconnel Street is approached by Raining Stairs or steps in Castle Street and has a number of B&B's of high quality and reasonable price
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abermar Guest House | 25 Fairfield Road | Guesthouse | 100 |
| Ardgarry B&B | 3 Fairfield Road Inverness | Guesthouse | 92 |
| Balintraid House | Balintraid Invergordon | Hostel | 86 |
| Eastgate Backpackers Hostel | 38 Eastgate High Street | Hostel | 72 |
| Glendruidh House Hotel | By Castle Heather Old Edinburgh Road South | Hotel | - |
| Highlander B&B | 28 Ardconnel Street | Guesthouse | 75 |
| Highlander Hostel | 23A High Street | Hostel | 70 |
| Inverness Student Hotel | 8 Culduthel Road, IV2 4AB | Hostel | 84 |
| Inverness Tourist Hostel | 24 Rose Street | Hostel | 72 |
| Inverness Youth Hostel | Victoria Drive | Hostel | 70 |
| Mardon Guest House | 37 Kenneth Street Inverness | Guesthouse | 95 |
| Summer Lee Bed and Breakfast | 33 Greig St. | Guesthouse | 94 |
| Waverley Guesthouse | 25 Union Street | Guesthouse | 62 |
Free Internet access is available at Madisons Casual Dining in Church Street.
See also International Telephone Calls
This is version 14. Last edited at 15:20 on Aug 30, 09 by Herr Bert (+32). 14 articles link to this page.

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