Landscape
Take a walk along the river and admire the majestic Scots pine trees as you cross quaint Victorian footbridges that lead to the Ness Islands. Along the way, look out for seals, who sometimes bob along the water if you're quiet, and Inverness Cathedral which is worth a visit with its gorgeous stained glass windows.
Just five miles east from Inverness is Culloden Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his men fought British troops in 1746 during the Jacobite Rising. There is also a visitor centre here, with an exhibition and film that recreate the battle and give a greater understanding of related events.
Loch Ness
One of the main attractions here is Loch Ness and its mythical resident, the Loch Ness Monster. It's the second largest loch in Scotland after Loch Lomond and forms a breathtaking landscape, together with rolling hills in the distance.
The Loch Ness Monster was first claimed to be sighted here in 1933, and has appeared in numerous, disputed photos since then. The legend is a fond one, however, and ‘Nessie', as the monster is affectionately called, is celebrated on souvenirs such as mugs, t-shirts, and teapots and attracts many visitors to the hotels in Inverness.
History/Architecture
On the cliff next to the River Ness sits Inverness Castle. Although the current construction was built in 1836, there has been a castle on this site since 1057, a previous version having appeared in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
The oldest house in the city centre that still stands is Abertaff House on Church Street. Built in 1593, you can still see its original features, including distinct gables.
A book store now stands on what was once the Old Gaelic Church. The church was used after the Battle of Culloden as a prison for Jacobite soldiers and they were later executed here.
Festivals
The city also looks forward, in addition to cherishing its history, with popular events throughout the year attracting visitors to cheap hotels in Inverness.
The Inverness Whisky Festival takes place in April with a fine selection of whiskies to sample.
In August there's the Inverness Book Festival which has included acclaimed authors such as Louise Welsh and Kate Mosse, amongst others.
The Inverness Music Festival also takes place every year and offers a wide range of music, from choirs to traditional Celtic music, by performers of all ages.
