I’m participating in the #AtoZBloggingChallenge 2016 with the theme – Pins on the Map of my Memory – which is about places that bear a special connection with me for reasons mostly personal!
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I for Inverness
On the banks of the River Ness, in the South of the Scottish Highlands, lies the picturesque city of Inverness.
The city of Inverness
Many years back, we discovered this small and compact city, quite accidentally, during a last minute decision to book ourselves on a 3-day tour of the Scottish Highlands on a visit to Edinburgh. Those days I was a postgraduate student at Bristol and since it was my very first term break, Jay and I decided to travel up north to spend a few days exploring Scotland.
Perched picturesquely above the river, The Inverness Castle sits perched above the river Ness, and dominates the horizon.
We found Inverness to be very impressive as a city, with its’ old historic buildings, lovely riverside restaurants, and bustling cafes that were thronged by tourists.
Inverness city centre
Our tour guide took us to Culloden Battlefield, where now stands a visitor centre that brings to life one of Scotland’s most famous battles ever to have taken place between the Scots and the English, in the form of an interactive exhibition.
The Visitor Centre
We also took a cruise into Moray Firth nearby, to see one of the world’s most beautiful coasts and finally, ended the day with a visit to the famous Loch Ness, a large, deep, freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands best known for alleged sightings of ‘Nessie’, the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster. Having heard so much about the legendary Monster and the beauty of Loch Ness, we were only too glad to have been there, taking it all in, in spite of the limited time we had before calling it a day.
Loch Ness at sunset
As dusk set in, we bid adieu to the “Gateway of the Highlands “and left early evening, leaving our wish for a caelidh night for the next time!
13 Comments
Shilpa Garg
What a charming little place, rich in history and culture! Loved the city centre, so picturesque!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thanks again, Shilpa! Blessed to have been in the midst of so much beauty.
patgarcia
I love Scotland. That is one of the advantages I see to being an American ExPat in Europe. I get to enjoy so much culture and see cities that I read about in history books.
Very nice pictures of Inverness. Thank you.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thank you so much, Pat!Absolutely in agreement with you there Europe is rich in history and endowed with so much history…it is truly amazing! I feel blessed to have had the opportunity of visiting all these amazing places. Best wishes with your blog. Will hop onto yours too 🙂
Parul Thakur
I want to see Scotland and that part of the world. (writing this I realize, there is no place left on the map I do not want to see). Your pictures are beautiful. I had never heard of the place and thank you for sharing your travel tales.
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thank you so much, Parul! There is nothing quite like travelling to different places isn’t it? I feel truly blessed to have had the chance to do so…and through this challenge would like to highlight so many lesser known places too that people often do not know exist! I’m really loving this challenge although being pushed very very tight with the deadlines!
vishalbheeroo
Whatta beautiful travel feature for A2Z:)
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Cheers, Vishal 🙂
BellyBytes
Ok here’s another place I should see if and when I go on my much planned whiskey trail…..
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Indeed, Sunita! Scotland is a great country…so much to see there 🙂 Their breweries are a great experience, must say!
Liam
Oh yes, Inverness is beautiful. The River Ness runs so swiftly but smoothly through the heart of town.
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Yes, Liam! It really is beautiful. The city and the river both so pretty…!