Inverness, Scotland | Exploring the Scottish Highlands

I had come to Inverness as my jumping off point to the Orkney Islands, which is an archipelago at the Northern tip of Scotland. I had stayed for several days in this pleasant city at the mouth of the River Ness, and was completely charmed.

Inverness is very walkable with interesting architecture, a multi steeple low sky line, and a river that flows through it. Also considering that Inverness is at the mouth of the River Ness, I took advantage of cruising along the Loch Ness with the humorous thought of looking for the fabled Nessie!

Inverness has a strong history dating back to 569 AD, as being a main stronghold of the Picts, who were an ancient people from the north and eastern Scotland. Over the centuries, Inverness has seen its share of remarkable history during Medieval times, the Jacobites occupation during the 1700s, to its current years as being part of the largest growing area of the United Kingdom.

There are many interesting sites to visit while in Inverness, and call be easily walked to or by the Hop on Hop of bus, which was a great way to get around for my cousin and I. That double decker red tour bus was what we had used as transportation to Dochgarrock Loch, which was where our Loch Ness cruise was departing from. According to the Inverness bus station, booking the Hop-on bus was better than the local bus- they were right!

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The quaintness and old town feel of Inverness is what I found inviting. We had strolled the streets ducking into Ashers Bakery for a Highland Cow cupcake, Mr. Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe for chocolate, Black Isle Bar for cullen skink and pizza, as well as JD Wetherspoons for fish and chips.

I know there were other nice restaurants, but I let my cousin choose on this round. I was just happy to find a warm delicious bowl of cullen skink, which is a thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions.

For more Scottish dishes and restaurants- What I ate in SCOTLAND – A Food Journal

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Old High Church– During our stroll around Inverness we visited the Old High St. Stephen’s Church and cemetery, which I found fascinating. If there is one thing about me that most people know is my fascination for cathedrals/ churches, and old burial sites. The old Gothic-style church which overlooks the River Ness dates back to 1897. It is the oldest church with a congregation in Inverness. This area where the church stands along the River Ness was an ancient place of worship since the Celtic times.

Although the cemetery is located in the heart of Inverness, it is quite a peaceful place. I had seen several locals laying down at the edge of the graveyard just relaxing with a view of the River Ness. It was like the living and the non-living sharing space and time together.

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Loch Ness and Nessie

Since I was a little girl, I had heard the stories of the Loch Ness Monster and back then it was not anything on my to-do list. The older I got and the more I started traveling to the United Kingdom, the more I thought “Why not?” Although the story had been debunked, it was still a glorious day cruising the Loch Ness.

We had chosen a day tour cruise with Jacobite and it was very enjoyable. It was a blue skied day of cruising with views of the Urquhart Castle, which you could get off at and explore if you wish.

For more cruise information: Searching for Nessie – Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands

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All in all, we found Inverness to be a low-key and charming city in the Scottish Highlands, and was well worth the visit. Hopefully you will get the chance to also experience it, as well as a search for Nessie along Loch Ness!