Inverness (meaning “Mouth of the River Ness”) is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. It is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom and lies within the Great Glen at its northeastern extremity where the River Ness enters the Moray Firth. Historically it served as the county town of the county of Inverness-shire. Inverness lies near two important battle sites: the 11th-century battle of Blàr nam Fèinne against Norway which took place on the Aird, and the 18th century Battle of Culloden which took place on Culloden Moor. The Gaelic king Mac Bethad Mac Findláich (MacBeth) whose 11th-century killing of King Duncan was immortalised in Shakespeare’s largely fictionalised play Macbeth, held a castle within the city where he ruled as Mormaer of Moray and Ross. Inverness is one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, with a quarter of the Highland population living in or around it, and is ranked fifth out of 189 British cities for its quality of life, the highest of any Scottish city.
History: Inverness was one of the chief strongholds of the Picts, and in AD 569 was visited by St Columba with the intention of converting the Pictish king Brude, who is supposed to have resided in the vitrified fort on Craig Phadrig, on the western edge of the city. The strategic location of Inverness has led to many conflicts in the area. Reputedly there was a battle in the early 11th century between King Malcolm and Thorfinn of Norway at Blar Nam Feinne, to the southwest of the city. In the 12th century King David I (1124-1153) made Inverness a royal burgh. During the mediaval times Inverness flourished and fishing and shipbuilding industry developed.
In the 14th century Robert the Bruce destroyed the stone castle of Inverness built by King David. It was later rebuilt early in the 15th century. Through 16th-18th century Inverness remained a busy port and market town growing to a major tourist attraction now.
*(All the above information are from Wikipedia.)
Transportation:
Airport: Inverness Airport is located 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of the city and has scheduled flights to airports across the UK including London, Manchester, Belfast and the islands to the north and west of Scotland, as well as a number of flights to Europe.
Rail: Inverness has a railway station with Abellio ScotRail services to Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Thurso, Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh. Inverness is connected to London Euston by the Caledonian Sleeper, which departs six times a week and by the London North Eastern Railway operated Highland Chieftain to London King’s Cross which runs daily.
Road: Inverness is linked to the Black Isle across the Moray Firth by the Kessock Bridge. The bus station’s main operators include Stagecoach in Inverness and Stagecoach in Lochaber. Buses operate from the bus station around the town of Inverness and to Inverness Airport and to places as far afield as Fort William, Ullapool, Thurso and Aberdeen. Megabus and Scottish Citylink operate a regular coach service to the Scotland’s capital Edinburgh with connections to Glasgow at Perth. National Express Coaches operate an overnight service from Inverness to London (Victoria) via Edinburgh taking 15 hours 5 minutes.
Local: Buses and taxis are available for transport within the city.
Tourist Interest:
Inverness Castle: Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness. A succession of castles have stood on this site since 1057.
The other places of interest within the city are the St Andrew Cathedral, Abertarff House, riverside, bridges on the river Ness and others
While the places of interest around the city are Loch Ness, Urqhuart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Eilean Donan Castle and others.
Read my experience in Inverness.