City of Inverness - Capital of The Highlands 3 June, 2013 By John The City of Inverness, known as the capital of The Highlands, welcomes you with the quiet air of a place that relishes having visitors, and offers a good quality of living. I have either passed through or made a stop in the city for a few hours on many occasions, and in 2004, I had the good fortune to spend a glorious weekend. I had lunch in a restaurant, and people at the next table were deep in conversation. Now, I couldn’t help overhearing, but I honestly don’t remember what the conversation was about. What I do remember was trying to place their accents, and I couldn’t, because there was none. Everywhere I went in the city it was the same story, all the locals spoke in a nice, ‘soft’ manner, that revealed no regional dialect, and no trace of a Scottish accent. My weekend here was full of surprises, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Although the city is the commercial centre for The Highlands, it caters well for the one million tourists who visit each year. With its own airport and good road and rail links it is also easily accessible.

Tourism has been steadily on the increase since city status was granted in 2001, and Inverness has everything you would expect in a major city. With a full programme of events like the Highland Show, Highland Dancing, Pipe Bands, and the Inverness Highland Games , there’s always something to see, and the nightlife is absolutely buzzing with lots of good Ceilidhs, traditional music, comedy and quiz nights dominating the local pub scene. Add to that the choices for eating, from pubs, fast food takeaways and good restaurants serving traditional Scottish food, and the French, Mexican, Thai, Chinese and Indian restaurants, tea and coffee shops, it’s easy to see why it’s popular. The city of Inverness has some fabulous shopping too. There’s everything you would expect from a city shopping centre and also some specialist retailers offering traditional Scottish goods, including knitwear, crafts and books. In the ‘Old Town’ part of the city there is the Old Victorian Market, and the High Street is pedestrian only. As you walk through the city centre you can expect to be entertained with pipers and other street performers.

Eden Court Theatre in Bishop’s Road has performances to cater for a wide range of cultural tastes, including music, drama and ballet, and the Royal National Mod is held in October each year for those who prefer to be entertained with Gaelic and Highland music. Gaelic is spoken by some in the city, and many of the place names and signs are in Gaelic. Another place worth visiting is the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery where you can catch up on some Highland history. There are learning zones and drawing classes held here, the gift shop, full of souvenirs, and the coffee shop. As you would expect, Inverness has a castle. The present castle was built on the site of a much earlier fortress, but it is not open to the public as a visitor attraction. That’s because it is the location of the CITY SHERIFF COURT. Now, if whisky tours are your thing you’re in for a real treat, as the city of Inverness has a few distilleries nearby offering tours. Best known is The Antiquary, about 16 miles south on the A9, one of our most famous malt whiskies. About 18 miles north is the Glen Ord Distillery.

There’s also the Dalmore Distillery to the west, where tours are free. Go easy on the tasting though, or you may end up in Inverness Castle. There is much history surrounding Inverness and many famous names from the past have been here, including St Columba, Robert the Bruce and MacBeth. Not far away is Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle on British soil in 1746, bringing the Jacobite Rebellion to an end when Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by Government troops. Loch Ness needs no introduction, as this great loch has been the subject of much debate over the years, as to the existence or not, of our famous monster, ‘Nessie’. Yes, there’s a lot going on in and around the city of Inverness, with Fort William and Ben Nevis nearby, making it a good base for exploring the Highlands, and it is worth visiting. Like everywhere else in Scotland, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome. Find A Hotel In Inverness . A comprehensive search facility to browse hundreds of hotels and compare prices for the best deal possible.

Map of Scotland's Regions, Cities & Destinations | VisitScotland Read more By road Scotland's road network makes it easy to drive around and provides efficient travel between cities and major towns, and access to rural areas. The motorway network runs across the central belt, with major links further north to Aberdeen and south to England. Trunk roads connect the rest of Scotland. Travel by road By sea Get to Scotland's inhabited islands by ferry. Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates routes to over 20 destinations in the the Firth of Clyde and the Inner and Outer Hebrides. NorthLink Ferries connect Orkney and Shetland to the mainland, and inter-island travel is served by council-run ferries. Find more ferry info By air Scotland has four main airports; Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, plus many regional airports spread across the country in Dundee, Inverness, Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. There is a wide range of interconnecting flights between the main and regional airports.

Top 10 Scottish Towns and Cities - InsiderScotland : InsiderScotland Top 10 Scottish Towns and Cities admin | August 23, 2012 Scotland’s rugged mountains, sweeping lochs and brooding castles are famous around the world, but the country is also home to a collage of vibrant cities and towns. Join us as we take a tour of the top 10 Scottish towns and cities to see how they stack up: 1. Edinburgh The Scottish capital is truly one of the world’s great cities with its massively atmospheric medieval old town, neat Georgian New Town and a flurry of visitor attractions, both historic and ultra modern. Swirl in its fairytale setting spread across a clutch of volcanoes by the sea and Edinburgh is ideal for a city break. And that is without even mentioning the world’s largest arts festival in August. 2. Glasgow The self-styled ‘Scotland with Style’ has transformed itself in recent years. Glagow’s elegant Georgian city centre has been reborn with chic designer boutiques and slick shopping malls, while its museums are now all free, including the most visited museum in the UK outside London, the Kelvingrove.

The lifeblood River Clyde has also been tarted up as the city marches confidently towards hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014. 3. Aberdeen ‘Europe’s Oil Capital’ is a monument in granite with its historic core overflowing with impressive granite buildings. Aberdeen is also a green oasis bursting with flowers and parks, not to mention the best beaches of any city in the UK. Add in a sprinkling of museums and chic restaurants catering to the moneyed oil crowd and it is an underrated city break player. 4. Stirling Scotland’s second newest city is also perhaps its most historic. Follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce and William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace as you ease around a cobbled old town that is much quieter than Edinburgh’s. Decent shopping, perhaps Scotland’s most impressive castle and swathes of unspoilt countryside just outside Stirling tempt too. 5. Dundee A city that benefits from a scenic setting on the banks of the River Tay and also boasts a suburb, in Broughty Ferry, that has its own sandy beach. The main tourist attraction is RRS Discovery (which once sailed Captain Scott to the Antarctic), while the pedestrianised centre is popular with retail addicts.

Culture comes courtesy of Dundee Contemporary Arts. 6. Inverness Inverness sees itself as the ‘Capital of the Highlands’ and it is this spectacular region’s only city. The famous monster strewn loch lies nearby, while in the city there is a picturesque castle, striking cathedral and plenty of souvenir shops. As Scotland’s fastest growing city Inverness also now sports a sprinkling of excellent restaurants. 7. Melrose The quintessential Borders market town boasts an array of great independent shops, a graceful town centre, an active local rugby club and one of the UK’s finest abbeys. The local lamb is legendary as is the salmon from the nearby River Tweed, while mile upon mile of rolling hills await walkers venturing beyond Melrose . 8. St Andrews Famous as the home of golf the relaxed Fife resort town of St Andrews is paradise for lovers of the game, but the town also boasts its own castle, ruined abbey and St Andrews Aquarium. The sweeping West Sands were made famous by the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ and these days are perfect for bracing strolls. 9.Linlithgow The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots lies handily on the main railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Its crowning glory is the massive palace, which lies on the edge of a loch that idles away a gentle hour walking around. Linlithgow’s high street is alive with wee shops and cafes, while the town museum and canal museum delve into the town’s rich past. 10.Perth Prosperous and assured Perth , on the banks of the River Tay, is Scotland’s newest city. It is also a favourite amongst Scots, but is not so well known south of the border. Riverside strolls, the avant garde Perth Concert Hall, some assured modern restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere make it perfect for a laid back weekend. Also on InsiderScotland: Scottish Highlands Holidays & Things To Do | VisitScotland Broadford Towns & Villages The village of Broadford is the second largest on Skye and makes a good base for exploring the Cuillins and the island. Brora Towns & Villages Placed perfectly on the magnificent east coast of Sutherland, the small village of Brora boasts a prime golf location.

Caithness And North Coast Sutherland Area Sub-region Caithness and North Coast Sutherland is a largely area of unspoilt, dramatic scenery in the far north of Scotland, indeed, on the extreme edge of Europe. Dornoch Towns & Villages Sitting on the edge of the Dornoch Firth, the small historic town of Dornoch boasts a tranquil location, stunning scenery and sunny climate. Drumnadrochit Towns & Villages Located at the head of Urquhart Bay on the northern shore of Loch Ness, the lovely village of Drumnadrochit is popular with Loch Ness monster hunters! Dufftown Towns & Villages Kingussie Towns & Villages Kingussie is the capital of Badenoch in the Highlands. It’s a lovely lively town beside the River Spey in the midst of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Lochcarron Towns & Villages Lochcarron is a pretty village of white-washed cottages on the shore of Loch Carron in the Wester Ross region of Scotland.

Lochinver Towns & Villages The small fishing port and resort of Lochinver on the west coast of Scotland offers the very best views back across to Suilven. Mallaig Towns & Villages The bustling and thriving port of Mallaig is situated on the north west coast along the famous Road to the Isles. Nairn Towns & Villages Nairn is an attractive seaside town with a prime location on the Moray Firth and is one of the driest and sunniest places in Scotland. Newtonmore Towns & Villages Newtonmore is a lovely village nestling in the upper reached of the Spey valley within the Cairngorms National Park. Portree Towns & Villages Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, is a bustling port and a thriving cultural centre. Spean Bridge Towns & Villages The small and attractive village of Spean Bridge is located at the southern end of the Great Glen and is best known for its iconic Commando Memorial. Tain Towns & Villages The small but thriving town of Tain, situated on the south shore of Dornoch Firth, is Scotland’s oldest royal burgh.

Thurso Towns & Villages The most northerly town in mainland Scotland, Thurso is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Tomintoul Towns & Villages Nestled at a height of 1164 ft on the northern slopes of the Cairngorm Mountains, Tomintoul is the highest village in the Highlands. Uig Towns & Villages Set in a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay on Skye, Uig is a ferry port to the Western Isles and a good base for a walking holiday. Ullapool Towns & Villages The picturesque fishing town of Ullapool, nestled on the shores of Lochbroom, is a great holiday destination and a gateway to the Northern Highlands. Wick Towns & Villages The former Viking settlement of Wick is the principal town in the far north of the mainland. Aviemore iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Aviemore iCentre is located in the centre of the village only 200 yards from the rail station and bus stop - a great place to start exploring the Cairngorm National Park.

Drumnadrochit iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Drumnadrochit iCentre is ideally situated off the A82 in the main village car park. We offer a wide range of services including accommodation booking, bus tickets, loch cruise booking and a good range of gifts, maps and books. Durness iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Durness iCentre has one of the best views in Scotland, overlooking beautiful Sango Bay in the far North West Highlands. Our enthusiastic local staff are on hand to offer help and advice to ensure that your visit is a memorable one. Fort Augustus iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Situated at the main car park in the village and only a short walk from the shores of Loch Ness. We offer a wide range of services including accommodation bookings. Fort William iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Fort William iCentre is situated in the town's High Street. We offer a wide range of services including accommodation bookings, bus and ferry tickets, loch cruises and activity bookings. Inverness iCentre VisitScotland iCentres The Highland capital’s official source for information on everything there is to do and see in Inverness and the Highlands.

Our enthusiastic team can help you book your accommodation, transport, day trips and cruises on Loch Ness. Lochinver iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Lochinver iCentre is a seasonal centre and with plenty of parking close by, it’s easily accessible for visitors. Portree iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Strontian iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Strontian iCentre is situated at the main car park in the village. Here you can find out about local walks, wildlife, geology and history. You can also purchase a wide range of gifts, books, maps and postcards. Thurso iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Open all year round, Thurso iCentre is situated in the fascinating Caithness Horizons Museum and is one of the most northerly towns in the UK mainland. Our friendly local staff are on hand to offer you help and assistance. Ullapool iCentre VisitScotland iCentres Ideally situated, Ullapool iCentre is located in the heart of this historic village in Argyle Street. We offer excellent advice and knowledge of our beautiful area along with an accommodation and travel booking service.

Cities of Scotland | By Scotland Channel City finder Explore the splendid Scottish Cities Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city. Situated at the mouth of the Dee River, it is known for its granite quarries and fishing industry and sea port. Aberdeen is also known as the Oil Capital of Europe due to the abundant supply of crude oil which is found in the North Sea. | More... Dundee has been established as some form of settlement since prehistoric times as Pictish ruins can still be seen just outside of the modern city. It was here in 1309 that Robert the Bruce was declared King of the Scots and also the place where William Wallace was educated and committed the first act of murder that caused him to go into hiding. | More... Edinburgh is named after King Edwin of ancient North Umbria and it has been recognized as Scotland's capital since the fifteenth century. A long established city with many years of progress, the city now boasts one of the finest architectural backdrops in the country. It is really the facade of this beautiful city which has caused it to become as popular as it is. | More... Glasgow was properly established 6th century by Saint Mungo who was a Christian missionary.

He built a church on the site where the present Glasgow Cathedral stands today, causing Glasgow to become a religious centre. Prior to this, the area had been inhabited by Picts and Celts and later, by Romans. Romans built outposts and then eventually, the Antonine Wall in an attempt to separate the Romans from the Picts. Remnants of this wall can still be seen today. | More... Inverness is located in the North-East of Scotland at the mouth of the River Ness from which the city derives its' name. This city is quite old and has many attractions and - being the only city in the Highlands - it is a great starting point. | More... Perth rests quietly on the banks of the River Tay in the Scottish Lowlands. It has two large public parks and most of the houses near the city centre are building in a Georgian terraced style. For tourists, there are lots of galleries, shops and a theatre, as well as the usually Scottish attractions such as scenery, castles and walks. There are many really great attractions in the region of Perth and Kinross and as such, Perth makes an ideal base for holiday makers. | More...

Stirling is a timeless city situated in central Scotland and is filled with grace and splendor. Though still relatively new (it was only declared a city in 2002), Stirling has long been established as a town and castle fortress. | More... Tags: Did You Know? - Scotland's Cities Did You Know? - Scotland's Cities Background In many parts of the world "city" is applied to any large or important town - or can even be applied to small locations where the founders had big aspirations! In Scotland (and in the rest of the UK) a city used to be defined as somewhere that had a diocesan cathedral (headed by a bishop). In the 19th century, a number of large towns were given a royal charter, which gave them additional honorific status and so the title was strenuously sought. In the four largest cities in Scotland, the most senior elected local government official is designated as "Lord Provost" instead of just provost (equivalent of mayor in England).

For over 100 years, no further city charters were allocated in Scotland, although in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 14 towns were upgraded in the 20th century, most recently Armagh and St David's in 1994 and Sunderland in 1992. Then, to mark the Millennium, followed by the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, two Scottish towns (Stirling and Inverness) were awarded "city" status after competing with a number of other locations. Prior to the creation of cities, a number of towns had been awarded the status of a "Royal Burgh", usually granted by a charter from the king. Many of the very earliest royal burghs were created by King David I (1124-1153). This gave the people who lived there certain rights and responsibilities. Many were sea ports and burgh status gave the "burgesses" (people of status who lived in the burgh) the right to own land and trade abroad. Nearly all the royal burghs sent a representative to the Scottish parliament and by 1707 (when the parliament was merged with the one in London) there were 70 royal burghs.

Strictly speaking, burghs in Scotland were abolished in 1975 a result of local government reorganisation, but the term remains in common usage. Below, you will find brief details of all of Scotland's present cities (and a few towns that are often referred to as cities or aspire to the title, but have never been given official recognition). Edinburgh Although the volcanic rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands and the nearby Arthur's Seat were defensive strongholds from the earliest times, Edinburgh did not crop up very often in Scottish history until the reign of Malcolm III (1058-1093) when he who built a fortress on the site of the present castle. King Robert Bruce granted Edinburgh a charter in 1329 but it did not become the national capital until 1437, following the murder of King James I at Perth, which had been the capital up to that point (though Stirling and even Forfar had been the base for government). Prior to that date, however, Edinburgh had been the usual residence of the king. In 1603 King James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne and promptly moved to the "bright lights" of London.

In 1633 Edinburgh was again officially recognised as the capital of Scotland - after all, the Scottish Parliament continued to sit and legislate there until 1707 when the Union of the Scottish and English Parliaments took place. Geographically, Edinburgh has expanded greatly since the days of the old walled city and now covers an area of about 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). As a result, the population is now around 400,000. Glasgow Legend has it that St Mungo founded Glasgow in 543AD when he established a church on the banks of the Molendinar Burn (a tributary of the river Clyde). As it was near a crossing point on the Clyde and the river became an important artery, Glasgow grew in importance. William the Lionheart gave the town an official charter in 1175. A university was established in Glasgow in 1451, the second in Scotland after St Andrews. A charter as a royal burgh was granted in 1454. Glasgow cathedral became an archbishopric, and hence city status, in 1492.

By the second half of the 19th century, Glasgow had a population of 800,000 and became known as the "Second City of the Empire". By 1931, the population had peaked at 1.13 million. As its heavy industries declined and as many residents moved to more salubrious surroundings in the suburbs, outside the city boundary, the population declined and is currently around 600,000. Unlike Edinburgh, Glasgow has not expanded its boundaries over the years - those living on its outskirts have resisted such moves. Aberdeen Often referred to as the "Granite City" or "Silver City" because of the large number of buildings made out of this hard, sparkling, local stone, Aberdeen is located in the north-east of Scotland, on the North Sea coast, between the River Don, to the north, and the River Dee, two miles to the south. William the Lion granted Aberdeen a charter as a royal burgh in 1179 and from the wording it appears that Aberdeen was already a Royal Burgh and trading community of some importance.

According to tradition, the people of Aberdeen helped Robert the Bruce in 1306 by entering the castle and killing the English defenders. Later the town's motto became "Bon Accord", which was the password on the night the castle was taken. Robert the Bruce transformed Aberdeen into a property-owning and financially independent community in 1319 when he granted the "Great Charter". Further royal charters granting burgh status were granted in 1489 and 1498. The present city was incorporated in 1891 when the two ancient burghs of Old and New Aberdeen, which for centuries had been legally separate, were united. Aberdeen's current population is around 200,000, many of them involved in the North Sea oil industry. Dundee King William the Lion made Dundee, at the mouth of the river Tay on the east coast, a Royal Burgh in the twelfth century and its ancient rights were re-established by a Charter of King Robert the Bruce in 1327. The Great Charter of Charles I, dated 14th September 1641, finally confirmed these rights.

The Burgh of Dundee was constituted a "City" by Royal Charter on 26 January 1889, the title of "Lord Provost of the City of Dundee" following a few years later. Dundee's population is 143,000. Many of its old industries have declined (from whaling in the 19th century to the post-war decline of jute manufacture) but Dundee is trying to reposition itself as the "City of Discovery". Inverness Located at the mouth of the river Ness before it flows into the Moray Firth, Inverness is sometimes referred to as the "Capital of the Highlands". This is not just because the Royal Court of the Pictish King Brude (or Bridei) was here in the 6th century, but also because it has long been the social and cultural capital of the Highlands. Inverness was awarded its charter as a Royal Burgh in 1158 by King David of Scotland.

But it took the Millennium celebrations in 2000 before the burgh competed with other locations to be awarded the status of "city" by the Queen in 2001 (along with Brighton and Wolverhampton in England). Even before this event, Inverness had been an expanding and vibrant city but being able to refer to itself as the "City of Inverness" seems to have kick-started another growth spurt. Its population is around 42,000 but, unlike many other parts of Scotland, the numbers living and working in the city are rising. There used to be a Royal Burgh coat of arms for the Inverness which incorporated a camel and an elephant (a reminder of its foreign trade links) but it lost that with the formation of the Highland Council, covering a large part of the north of Scotland. But to qualify for a coat of arms as a city, it must have its own local authority (as is the case with the other - much larger - cities). Undaunted, the Lord Lyon who administers all matters to do with coats of arms, is to be asked to provide special dispensation.

Stirling There had been a gap of over 100 years between awarding "city" status to Dundee and then Inverness, but a year after that accolade, Queen Elizabeth II marked her Golden Jubilee on the throne by officially declaring Stirling (population 39,000) to be Scotland's newest city on 24th May 2002. Ayr (population 45,0000), Paisley (80,000 Paisley "Buddies") failed (this time?) in their bid. Three main factors were taken into account when assessing the bids - notable features (including significance regionally or nationally), historical (including Royal) features and a forward-looking attitude. Like a good number of other locations, Stirling had been an ancient capital of Scotland (Robert the Bruce held a parliament there in 1326). Stirling's location at the lowest crossing point (until the 20th century) of the river Forth meant that it had a strategic importance. Having a royal castle (on top of a volcanic plug, as in the case of Edinburgh) strengthened that role.

While this led to economic growth for Stirling, it also meant that it was a target of English invasions. Wallace's defeat of the English at Stirling Bridge and Robert the Bruce's victory over King Edward II at nearby Bannockburn bear witness to that. Perth Often called the "Fair City of Perth" this royal burgh (a status granted by King William the Lionheart in 1210 - and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2010) was often referred as a city, though it lacked official recognition after a local government reorganisation in 1975 when the definition of a city was re-examined and a list of approved cities omitted Perth. It was therefore considered to be a "former city", like Brechin and Elgin. However, it is claimed that Perth (currently with a population of 43,450) has been recognised as a city since 1600 when King James VI bestowed a so called "Golden Charter". In more recent times, 19th century official documents such as the Acts of the UK Parliament which were given Royal Assent have also constantly referred to Perth as a city.

It was a capital of Scotland for a spell in the 13th and early 14th centuries. For reasons of status, Perth has been agitating to formally become recognised as a city (road-signs around the borders state "The City of Perth", and directional signs within indicate "City Centre". The campaign proved to be successful in March 2012 when, as part of Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee celebrations, Perth was one of three cities awarded that status. The others were St Asaph in Wales (admittedly it has a cathedral but a population of under 3,500) and Chelmsford in England (32 miles / 51 kilometres northeast of central London) were the other winners of the contest for city status. Aspiring "Cities" Here is a selection of towns that are either often referred to as "City" without being officially recognised or those that aspire to the status. Brechin Brechin in Angus qualified under the old definition of a "city" because it had a cathedral within its boundary. These days it is the Brechin City football (soccer) club which perpetuates the name of this town, which has a population of under 8,000.

Paisley The only "City of Paisley" is in Oregon, USA. Despite its size (population of Paisley in Scotland is 80,000) and having a magnificent abbey, a centre of local government in the area and a university, it has failed to be awarded the status of a modern city in Scotland. Paisley has perhaps suffered from its close proximity to Glasgow, though the "Paisley Buddies" would never agree that the town has been overshadowed by its larger neighbour. Ayr Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, born in nearby Alloway, was full of praise for "Auld Ayr, wham ne�er a town surpasses, for honest men and bonnie lassies". The town has a long history, too, with its "Low Green" designated as a public open space by William the Lion in around 1205, shortly after granting it Royal Burgh status. But that has not been enough to gain the title of city for this Clyde coastal town with a population of 48,000. Like Paisley, Ayr put its name forward in both the Millennium and Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Elgin Elgin claims that it was granted city status during the reign of King David I in the 12th century and has described itself as such ever since. Others argue that King David only raised the town to that of a "royal burgh" and not a city. The community council in Elgin describes their location as "City and Royal Burgh of Elgin" and Moray Council support the campaign for official recognition. And the local football (soccer) team, formed in 1893, is Elgin City. Cathedral "Cities" It has been argued that the original definition of a "city", namely that it has a cathedral, should be revived. If that unlikely claim should be upheld, Elgin, Dunfermline, Brechin, St Andrews, Kirkwall, Dunblane and the villages of Dunkeld, Fortrose, Dornoch and Whithorn would all be recognised. Of course, what these locations are really looking for, apart from prestige, is a share in the funds allocated by the Scottish Executive as a "city growth fund".

Use the "Back" button on your browser or click here to return to the Index of "Did You Know?" Where else would you like to go in Scotland? Links Pages Inverness - Capital of the Highlands Film & TV Locations Inverness Inverness is known as the capital of the Highlands. It is an ideal place to use as a base for touring the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. It is a warm, welcoming city which has something for everyone including shopping centres and markets and many fine restaurants. By the 18th century Inverness was a bustling city with many wealthy merchants settling on the outskirts of the town and in 1822 the Caledonian Canal was completed linking Inverness to the west coast of Scotland. The city was well known for it's concerts and theatrical performances. There are many things to see and do near Inverness including Loch Ness, Fort George, dolphin watching on the Moray coast, Culloden battlefield, walking and climbing, whisky trails, castles, Cairngorm National Park and skiing.

The city experience — The Official Gateway to Scotland The city experience Six in the city league Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland's principal cities on the east and west coast respectively, are only a 50-minute train ride from each other similar to a tube ride from south to north London so, for the adventurer, there's a real opportunity to experience two very different cities in the same weekend. And in a week you could easily do all six! Already there is a wealth of culture, entertainment, architecture, history and culinary delights to be enjoyed in all six cities. Below is a brief summary of each of Scotland's cities. Whether it's a backpack or a suitcase you need to pack, get packed and get on your way! Edinburgh 'Athens of the North' Edinburgh, Scotland's capital is located on the east coast at the mouth of the Firth of Forth and has a population of around 450,000. Like Rome it is built on seven hills and its spectacular skyline is dominated by the famous Castle, the extinct volcano Arthur's Seat, Grecian colonnades and a dizzying array of spires.

The world-changing ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment emanated from here and today it is the seat of the devolved Scottish Parliament and the figurehead of a confident, creative new nation. It is a thriving commercial, cultural and educational centre and since 1947 has become known as 'Festival City': today it hosts a dozen or so international arts and science festivals that attract massive audiences from around the world and give a carnival feel to the city. The city is world famous for its mix of medieval and Georgian architecture and is rapidly gaining a new reputation for stunning new buildings. The city is steeped in history yet is also a thriving hub of contemporary culture with many galleries, theatres, concert halls and cinemas not to mention bars, clubs and restaurants. The city has many parks and gardens including the world-famous Royal Botanic Garden and the vistas out to the Firth of Forth, Arthur's Seat and the Pentland Hills are nothing less than breathtaking. Glasgow 'The Highland City' Glasgow, on the famous River Clyde, was once called 'The Second City of the Empire' due to the huge importance of and wealth from its shipbuilding industry and there's much splendid architecture from the Victorian era to be enjoyed.

Much of the labour for this industry was drawn from the Highlands, which is why poet Iain Crichton Smith called Glasgow 'The Highland City'. There is certainly a very different feel to this west coast metropolis which is a mere 40 miles from the capital. Glasgow is a city that has had to re-invent itself following the decline of its major industry. It is Scotland's biggest city with a population exceeding 600,000 and is surrounded by substantial conurbations and satellite towns but it has faced its social challenges by attracting new investment into the city and today it's a cultural and educational hub that features prominently on the international map for theatre, music, literature, visual art, architecture and film. It's Scotland's media centre, boasts a brand new financial centre and is both the biggest and most fashionable retail centre outside of London with the attendant plethora of bars, clubs and restaurants. Aberdeen 'The Granite City' Aberdeen, located between the Dee and Don rivers, is Scotland's third largest city with a population of 216,520. In the 19th century much of the city's neo-classical buildings were designed using local granite, hence its title 'The Granite City'.

The city indeed boasts many impressive buildings. It is the largest manufacturing centre in the north with paper, chemicals, machinery and textiles harmonising with the fishing and agricultural heritage of the area. With the coming of offshore oil in the 1970s Aberdeen became the 'Oil Capital of Europe' and a recent survey revealed it as the most prosperous city in Britain outside of the South East of England. The city has a strong academic tradition, is culturally well catered for and regularly wins prizes for its displays of flowers. It is close to some of Scotland's most stunning coastal and mountain landscapes, castles, gardens and whisky distilleries galore. Dundee 'City of Discovery' Situated on picturesque Tayside, 'Bonny' Dundee is also famous as the City of Discovery: it's here that you will find the Royal Research Ship Discovery in which the explorers Scott and Shackleton sailed to Antarctica at the beginning of the 20th Century. Dundee is also synonymous with jute, jam and journalism on account of the industries that once dominated the region, which also accounts for the statue of cartoon character Desperate Dan in the city.

Discovery is a good theme for the city today which, like many industrial cities in the UK, has had to reinvent itself. Dundee, with its world-class universities, is now a hub for cutting edge medical and life sciences research, the home of many hi-tech companies and one of the world's leading centres in computer games. It's Scotland's fourth largest city with a population of 140,000, has a thriving arts scene, a buzzing nightlife and yet is still close to some of the world's most famous golf courses. Inverness 'Capital of the Highlands' Inverness, situated at the top of Loch Ness and beside the Moray Firth is growing at an unprecedented rate. It became Scotland's fifth city in 2001 and its 41,000 or more citizens enjoy a cosmopolitan atmosphere unique in the Highlands. It is the administrative, commercial and industrial centre of the Highlands and thrives on a dynamic combination of traditional industries, inward investment, innovative technology and a well-educated workforce. Tourism is a key industry with an estimated one million visitors each year. Business tourism is growing and the city excels at attracting inward investment in a highly competitive global market.

Finally it is the gateway to a beautiful and historic region and the home of the famous Loch Ness Monster. . . Stirling 'Clasping Highlands and Lowlands together' With its mighty castle perched dramatically above its rooftops, Stirling is one of Scotland's most historic towns and known as the 'gateway to the Highlands'. It's also a thriving modern city Scotland's newest in fact with excellent arts provision, a go-ahead university and excellent shopping. Also on the skyline is the National Wallace Monument and these are the two cues for the visitor to find out more about the city's history and local heroes Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. As well as having one of the finest medieval cityscapes in Scotland, Stirling is a modern, compact city with a population of 85,000 and HQ for many diverse businesses. Its location in the middle of the central belt makes it highly desirable for commuters and The Trossachs and the Campsie Fells are both on its doorstep. Inverness Inverness Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands has something for everyone including shops, restaurants, a theatre, museum and art gallery.

Inverness Printable Version Inverness has a long history, having evolved from an ancient fort to the modern city it is now. The city and the surrounding area is now home to 65,000 people, but it was much smaller when St Columba visited the Royal Court of the Pictish King Brude (or Bridei) in 565AD. Legend has it that, in 1040, Macbeth, of Shakespeare fame, built his stronghold in Inverness. In 1158 King David of Scotland awarded Invernessits charter as a Royal Burgh. Known as the Capital of the Highlands, it has held this title over the centuries due to itï¿½s position on the River Ness where the roads through the glens of the Highlands converge. The castle that dominates the Inverness skyline dates from 1834. Today this impressive red sandstone building is a courthouse, but you should note the statue that sits outside. It is of Flora MacDonald who, famously, helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape "Over the Sea to Skyeï¿½.

Close by is Inverness Museum and Art Gallery which displays the heritage of the area, from archaeology to natural history. As the regional administrative and cultural centre Inverness boasts a wide range of shops and services. The popular Eden Court Theatre complex offers an eclectic range of plays, musicals and other entertainment. There is a diverse choice of restaurants serving most types of cuisine. Pubs are plentiful too, many offering traditional Scottish music in the evenings.

Question: Which Scottish city is known as the ‘Capital of the Highlands’?
Answer: Inverness