Self Catering InvernessRiver Ness, Inverness Castle in the background
Inverness Castle on the River Ness

About Inverness
- A short history about The City of Inverness

Inverness (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis) is the only city in the Highland council area and the Highlands of Scotland.

In 2001, the population of the city, or the urban area centred on the former burgh, was 51,832, and is expected to double over the next 30 years. Recently, The city is the self-proclaimed "Capital of the Highlands", and the administrative centre for the Highland council area. City status was conferred on Inverness in 2001, it being chosen as one of three "Millennium Cities" in the United Kingdom.

Inverness lies at the mouth of the River Ness as it flows into the Moray Firth in north-east Scotland. It is from this that the city derives its name: Inbhir Nis Scots Gaelic for "mouth (or confluence) of the Ness". The river flows from nearby Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal connects Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy.

Islands in the River Ness, the Bught and the river banks form a pleasant series of walks, as do the forested hills of Craig Phadraig and Craig Dunain. The city is well served with shops, as it is the main shopping centre for an area of nearly 26,000 kmĀ².

Most of the traditional industries such as distilling have been replaced by high-tech businesses.

Inverness is the home for Scottish Natural Heritage following that body's relocation from Edinburgh under the auspices of the Scottish Executive's decentralisation strategy.

Inverness is linked to the Black Isle across the Moray Firth by the Kessock Bridge. It has a railway station[2] with services to Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Aberdeen, Thurso, Wick and to Kyle of Lochalsh. Inverness Airport[3] is located 15 km east of the city and has scheduled flights to airports across the UK including London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the islands to the north and west of Scotland.

Important buildings in Inverness include Inverness Castle, Inverness College and various churches. The castle was built in 1835 on the site of its medieval predecessor.

Inverness is an important centre for bagpipe players and lovers. Every September the city hosts the Northern Meeting, the most prestigious solo piping competition in the world. Another major event in calendar in July is the annual City of Inverness Highland Games.

For more information about Inverness see the Inverness Wikipedia page, contributing knowledge to us all.