About inverness

Inverness is the largest town in the Highlands of Scotland, its capital, and the busy and prosperous hub of the region. All main routes through the Highlands pass through here at some point, so it's a hard place to avoid! The town's position at the head of the Great Glen and on the shores of the Moray Firth have made it a firm favourite with tourists, who flock here in their legions during the summer months to look for the evasive Loch Ness Monster. Though Inverness has little in the way of major sights, it's a pleasant place to base yourself as you explore the other, more visible, and superb array of attractions on offer in the surrounding area, including the resident population of dolphins in the Moray Firth. The town, though, is not without its own appeal, particularly the leafy banks of the River Ness, which runs through its heart, linking Loch Ness with the Moray Firth.

And nearby Loch Ness is undeniably one of the most famous lakes in the world. It is also, certainly, a place of outstanding natural beauty, but it has to be admitted that the world wide fame of Loch Ness owes more to the legend of its famous occupant, the Loch Ness Monster - or 'Nessie' - than the breathtaking location of the loch itself!!

Getting to Inverness is so easy, being the capital of the Highlands, and in such a prominent position as a ‘hub’ to all trunk routes north, east, west and south. Driving to Inverness is such a pleasure too, no matter form what direction, as you traverse some of the scenic highlights of Scotland form every route.

Whats on...

There is so much entertainment to choose from here – the choice is yours. From theatres to cinemas, music halls and live music venues. Great nightlife and nightclubs. Football, shinty and highland games. Arts and craft exhibitions, book, food and drink festivals and events at local castles, visitor centres, and city centre hotels and venues. Inverness Hogmanay is memorable too.

So whether you fancy traditional or modern, wish to look on or join in, seek the quiet or the wilder side of life,  enjoy the relaxing indoors or the great, inspiring outdoors – there’s something for all – at all times of the year.

Gaelic
Gaelic traditions form the roots for much of the cultural heritage of Inverness, in language, music and song. The city is still a key location for the annual Royal National Mod, a competitive cultural and linguistic event held every October, and which moves around a circuit of Scottish towns. Inverness has its very own annual Mod, which along with non-competitive cultural and linguistic festivals, present the perfect opportunity to see and hear some of the best in Highland and Gaelic music and song

Music and all that
Wider Scottish influences on music , song and dance can be enjoyed in our Scottish Showtime, which  runs from June to September each year. Local pubs offer traditional folk music alongside jazz and pop. Eden Court Theatre is the city’s main venue for drama and entertainment, presenting a varied and year round programme of shows to suit all tastes. These and much more are showcased and celebrated in our Highland Festival in early summer, which provides an international programme of drama, music, song and dance – and the Inverness Music Festival.

To find out more about whats on, and local sporting, music and cultural events, highland games and festivals click here