As the most Northerly city in Scotland, you might be forgiven for assuming that Inverness is too remote to offer the usual draws of a city: theatre, great restaurants and bars, boutique shopping and so on but you would be mistaken. Inverness is a vibrant, historic city with plenty to entertain the visitor, both within the city itself, and in the beautiful and often dramatic countryside around it. The history of the city dates back over 1,500 years.

Its Christian heritage began with St Columba’s visit to the Pictish King Brude (or Bridei) in 565AD when his visit to the Royal Court led to the conversion of Brude to Christianity. Declared a city in 2001, Inverness is now a bustling home to 65,000 people but its origins can be traced back to a small ancient fort. Legend has it that, in 1040, Macbeth built his stronghold in Inverness and in 1158 King David of Scotland awarded Inverness its charter as a Royal Burgh. Robert the Bruce seized the first of the city’s five castles from English forces in 1307 and, in 1562, Mary Queen of Scots had the Governor of Inverness Castle hanged for refusing her entry to the Burgh. Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite troops were defeated in the famous Battle of Culloden - the last battle on British soil - in 1746.

The city is a lively mix of the new and old.

A visit to Inverness Museum and the Castle brings the city’s history into context in engaging displays and tours that are well worth a visit. The Battlefield of Culloden, under the guardianship of the National Trust for Scotland, is currently attracting a great deal of attention since the opening of a new, award winning visitor centre in 2008. The Battle of Culloden is brought into startling life in an audio-visual show before visitors have the opportunity to walk out onto the battlefield itself to sense the oppressive weight of history on this beautiful stretch of moorland.

Nearby Cawdor Castle is a real favourite, with beautiful gardens and woodland trails. The castle itself, described as ‘the most romantic castle in Scotland’ is famously, though incorrectly, connected with Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

A cultural city

Inverness is packed with history, but the city also offers great cultural attractions. Following an investment of over £22m, the recently refurbished Eden Court Theatre was a finalist in the RIAS Best Building in Scotland Awards 2008 and is drawing international quality performances including both Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera in the coming months. The numerous galleries in the city will be of real interest to art lovers, and a programme of events throughout the year ensures that culture is always high on the agenda in Inverness. In search of Nessie! With the infamous Loch Ness a short drive from the city centre, it cannot be denied that this is the biggest draw to Inverness for tourists.

The gloriously named loch-side village of Drumnadrochit is home to the Loch Ness Exhibition – a Scottish Tourist Board 5* attraction - and as much Nessie paraphernalia as you can handle. Sceptic or believer in the Loch Ness Monster, it is difficult to resist the temptation to stare out into the dark waters of the loch, just in case! The stunning setting of nearby Urquhart Castle on a rocky promontory over Loch Ness ensures that this is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. The earliest records suggest a structure may have been on this site since the 6th century and a Pictish brooch found on the site supports this. More is known of the Castle from the 13th century onwards as Urquhart witnessed a bloody history of attack and reclaim through 300 years of history until 1692 when, legend claims, the last garrison blew up the towering gatehouse to ensure that the castle could never again be a military stronghold. The Historic Scotland visitor centre at Urquhart has an excellent audio-visual exhibition providing a vivid history of the castle. One of the best ways to capture the castle today is by camera while taking a cruise, providing the perfect photo opportunity of this noble ruin. Some cruises allow you to go ashore into the grounds to explore the castle ruins and exhibition centre, while others venture down the Caledonian Canal.

The spectacular Caledonian Canal

In 1822 the spectacular Caledonian Canal was completed by Thomas Telford. Stretching from Fort William to Inverness, it is 60 miles long and links Inverness to the west coast of Scotland through the Great Glen, the region’s natural line of communication for centuries. Visitors can also follow the route either by bicycle or on foot, following the 73-mile Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness. Travel the glen in a leisurely fashion over several days, or tackle the entire length within a tough 24 hours by entering the annual ‘Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike’ held each spring to raise money for the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres. If you are fi t enough to take on that challenge, then you might also be interested in the Loch Ness Marathon held in October each year, or the Nairnshire duathlon in May. Inverness draws mountain racing enthusiasts from far and wide both to compete and live here, making the most of the fabulous mountains and wild places within easy reach of Inverness.

Leisurely walks around Inverness

You don’t have to be as energetic as a marathon runner to enjoy the stunning scenery and wilderness that surrounds Inverness. From the city centre, there are a number of walks that can be enjoyed. After strolling beside the River Ness, why not head out to the hill top Craig Phadraig, site of an old Iron Age fort, or out to the Caledonian Canal and loop back to the city for a great urban walk. The more adventurous could head out to the legendary Glen Affric.

This magnificent glen is widely considered to be Scotland’s most beautiful and gives access to some of the wilder and more remote parts of Scotland. A National Nature Reserve, Glen Affric is home to ancient Caledonian pine forest, beautiful lochs and a fabulous array of native wildlife including red deer, golden eagle, badger, pine marten, otter and more. Venture here with a pair of sturdy walking boots, a good map and compass. Golfers will already be familiar with the Championship courses that are all within easy reach of Inverness, including Royal Dornoch, Tain, Nairn and Brora.

You’ll see surfers and sea kayakers can be seen braving the waters of Moray Firth. While taking a bracing walk along the beautiful beaches of Nairn or nearby Rosemarkie, you’ll see, if you’re lucky, dolphins or porpoise in these waters, but for a better chance of a sighting, take an exhilarating boat trip to go in search of these magical animals as well as gannets, guillemots and razorbills.

Cosmopolitan shopping.

Inverness has plenty of independent shops selling clothing, jewellery and gifts as well as a wonderful Victorian market in the heart of the city centre that offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to fi nd beautiful Scottish crafts and gifts in uniquely attractive surroundings. A short drive from Inverness brings you to the charming highland town of Beauly, where lovely shops can be found selling Scottish goods, from shooting socks and tweeds to porcelain and local crafts. Beauly’s 13th century priory – now a ruin – lies at the heart of the village, and the village square, laid out by Baron Lovat in the 1840s, is one of the most spacious in the North of Scotland.

A relaxing place to stay

After all this activity you will be looking forward to heading back to your hotel or B&B for a rest. Inverness is home to some excellent top class hotels as well as friendly and welcoming B&Bs. You will also have worked up an appetite, so make your way into the city centre to enjoy a fantastic meal at one of the many impressive restaurants. However you choose to spend your time in Inverness, we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised by just how much the City in the Highlands has to offer.

FIELDFACTS

Highland Homecoming October 19-31 The packed Highland Homecoming programme encompasses more than 100 events including: 19-31 Oct: Arts in Motion, Inverness City Centre: Inverness City Centre will come alive during Highland Homecoming as a fantastic selection of Scottish imagery is projected onto landmark buildings by specialist company Arts in Motion

19 Oct: Polish theatre company Teatr Biuoro Podrozy present Macbeth: Who is that Bloodied Man? with stilts, fire and music outdoors at Eden Court, Inverness

19-31 Oct: Leaving Home Exhibition, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

19-24 Oct: The flight of the arctic Tern, storytelling, talks and theatre. Various locations.

To find out more about the Highland Homecoming events visit: www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com