Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Inverness

Inverness is a bustling town in the North of Scotland, at the mouth of the River Ness and 32 miles from Fort Augustus. It is without question the capital of the Highlands.

It is situated at the junction of the Beauly Firth with the Moray Firth.

Inverness developed as a trading port from the 6th century. One of its early visitors was St. Columba, who came to meet and convert the Pictish King Brude. Macbeth had a stronghold nearby, which was destroyed after his defeat by Malcolm Canmore. David I granted the town its charter as a Royal Burgh.

Inverness Castle has dominated the town for many centuries. It was destroyed a number of times, notably by Robert Bruce and Charles Edward Stuart. The present buildings date from 1834.

St. Andrew`s Episcopal Cathedral was built in 1866.

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery gives an overview of the development of the Highlands.

The Eden Court Theatre is the leading arts venue in the North of Scotland.

Friars Burying Ground is on the site of a Dominican priory, founded in 1233.

The Caledonian Canal was designed by Thomas Telford in the early years of the 19th century to create a link between the East and West coasts, and largely utilises the Great Glen and Loch Ness.

The first concrete pavement built of Portland cement was built at Inverness in 1865.

Gavin Maxwell, the author of "Ring of Bright Water" died at Inverness in 1969.

The inhabitants of Inverness are said to speak the clearest, purest form of English.