Inverness

Unofficial capital of the Scottish Highlands

Regarded as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness is a city on Scotland’s northeastern coast, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth—a strategic location throughout Scotland’s chequered history.

Within the city are several historical buildings in the Old Town, as well as a variety of places to eat, drink and shop. As home to a quarter of the Highland population, the city is also host to an annual bagpipers’ meeting and the Highland Games, a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and traditions.

Looming above the city, on a cliff overlooking the river, is the crenelated, lavish Inverness Castle. Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth was supposedly set in the 11th century version of this castle, which was destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly after a number of different sieges. The latest version was built in the 1800s and is currently used as a courthouse.

Downstream from the city via the Caledonian Canal is Loch Ness, the famous lake that’s home to the elusive Loch Ness Monster, and the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the medieval Urquhart Castle.