Inverness, Scotland, UK by Phillip Capper

From a vibrant city feel through to miles upon miles of natural beauty and a number of fantastic examples of Scottish history, it’s the latter two where Inverness and the surrounding area really excels – and there are five reasons why.

1. It’s home to River Ness

The most famous ‘Ness’ in Scotland is without doubt Loch Ness, but there are many out there who believe River Ness – a river that flows from the loch – is much more worthy of a visit.

With banks lined by beautiful buildings, from hotels with wonderful views through to St Andrew’s Cathedral, it’s also home to a staggering amount of wildlife.  Known for its salmon, you can also regularly see seals, house martins and diving birds, with the latter alone making a visit worthwhile.

2. You can stand upon an actual battlefield

In 1745, the final pitched battle was fought at Culloden, when William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland proved victorious over the Jacobite forces of Charles Stuart, instantly stopping any continued attempts to overthrow the House of Hanover.

Combining an exhibition of the battlefield with a great audio tour, Culloden Battlefield is a short drive out of Inverness city centre but is well worth the journey.  Plus, if you’re a member of the National Trust, you get free entry.

3. Plodda Falls is stunningly beautiful

Said to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Scotland, although a popular attraction, Plodda Falls is  visited nowhere near as much as many of the other natural attractions in the country.  A perfect destination for a peaceful and tranquil trip when you’re staying in Inverness, you’re almost guaranteed to be blown away by the natural spectacle.

Inverness reflects in the Ness, Scotland, UK by Imaohw

Whilst the bridge that allowed you to walk across the top of the 150 foot high waterfall has been removed in recent years, it has been replaced with a fantastic viewing platform, allowing you to take in the breathtaking waterfall from a position that you simply can’t do with many others around the world.

4. You can go dolphin watching

It might sound more like daytrip more typical of a tropical destination, but you can actually regularly see dolphins – and other aquatic wildlife – if you take a short drive outside of Inverness to a place called Chanonry Point.

With a lovely beach and a much adored lighthouse, there are some who say they have visited Chanonry Point a few times and not seen dolphins, but there are many, many more who have witnessed the dolphins frolicking close to the shore on a regular basis.

Dophin at Chanonry Point, Scotland, UK by EmPemm

Definitely worth a trip, as aside from the fact it’s extremely likely you’ll see some of nature’s most wonderful animals simply having fun, the whole area is beautiful.

5. Inverness Castle is nothing short of awe-inspiring

Situated on a wonderful cliff top position (and obviously a strategic one when it was actually in use), the views looking from – and to – Inverness Castle make it one of the most charming and unspoilt castles in the country.

Whilst the actual castle itself isn’t open to the public, the grounds of the red sand stone building are and a visit is very much advised, if not purely to get a photo in front of this wonderful Inverness landmark.

As a city, Inverness might be popular and there’s no doubt it has something to offer most, but its attractions might seem like anything other than relaxed and laid back at first.

However, with just a little research you can come across a range of such sights and attractions, with the five here really just a small amount of those you can sample easily in and around Inverness.

Matthew Bettoli writes for holiday cottages Inverness provider Cottages and Castles.

The post 5 Relaxed, Laid Back And Historical Reasons To Visit Inverness, Scotland, UK appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Colin Smith

Scottish International Storytelling Festival
One of the largest gatherings of its kind, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place in Edinburgh. For 10 days in late October, the Royal Mile in Edinburgh opens its Scottish Storytelling Centre to visitors and storytellers from throughout the world. This festival not only allows you to listen to some of the best stories about local Scottish history, but will let you experience the character of artful storytellers from around the world as they expound on nearly anything you can think of. Scotland has a long history of oral narrative as a form of communication, and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival embodies that historic process.

Loch Shiel Spring Festival
The first weekend in May of each year offers you the opportunity to experience some of the best classical music in the world at the Loch Shiel Spring Festival. Dedicated to sharing classical music on a local level and beyond, the spring festival attracts leading classical artists from all over Britain to the West Highlands for this festival. The area surrounding Loch Shiel offers spectacularly beautiful settings for listening to music, and the variety of concerts will astound you.

Dundee Flower and Food Festival
If you’re looking for something a little different while you’re in Scotland, you may want to reserve some time for the Dundee Flower and Food Festival. This delightful festival takes place in early September. It is a weekend packed with free cooking and gardening demonstrations as well as a craft fair. You also have the opportunity to experience food before you buy it at the festival. You will see stunning floral displays and learn gardening techniques that are sure to inspire you to try and duplicate them when you get back home.

Arran Folk Festival
The Arran Folk Festival takes place in mid-June on the Isle of Arran, off the coast of Scotland. This festival will allow you to listen to some of the best folk music in Scotland. There are free concerts throughout the event, which let you to experience the traditional music of the area. The festival was begun in 1990 and has grown to become one of the most anticipated events in the area.

Aberdeen International Youth Festival
This festival of music and performing arts attracts some of the finest artists and musicians from throughout the world. You can see blossoming newcomers perform with established professional musicians and actors in this extravagant showcase of talent. More than 70 countries have been involved in bringing the very best in live performances to the stage. With numerous events taking place each year, the Aberdeen International Youth Festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors.

Tarbert Seafood Festival
Early in July, the Tarbert Seafood Festival opens to throngs of visitors. There are arts and crafts, food stalls, and gardening exhibitions. You can take in a cooking demonstration from renowned seafood chefs, or watch the Seafood Queen crowned on the Tarbert Hotel Balcony. You can watch the Children’s Parade, or marvel at highland dancers of all ages. There is also a cook-off and a sheep-shearing demonstration. Of course, there will be live music throughout the event.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival
This festival takes place in mid-July in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. You can listen to a variety of musical performers from all over the world as you experience the Gaelic culture and Hebridean heritage. You can attend a workshop given by some of the performers or simply enjoy the typical festival attractions, such as trying local dishes while you listen to music at a pub or watching children’s events.
Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes about insurance quotes for InsuranceQuotes.org.

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