Trip to Inverness

[Kowloonatic]

Hello all,

 

A group of us are coming up from London for BH weekend in Aug. We plan to watch a football match on the Sat but apart from that we aren't sure what to do. Any recommendations on interesting things to do in and around Inverness?

 

Also what is the nightlife like? Places to go to? Places to avoid?

 

Sam

 

 

[RiG]

Avoid Dingwall. It's a very dark "shadowy" place full of three fingered hicks who are permanently seething.

[Kowloonatic]

^{Clachnacuddin, Nairn or Buckie?}

[Sneckboy]

Fixtures for Inverness Caledonian Thistle aren't out yet but the season will have started by then so you might be lucky and your trip coincides with a home game of ours!

Not sure about the nightlife as I don't get out much - but it shuts earlier than you'll be accustomed to in London! Inverness is a small city and has most things - apart from a casino! - A real gap in the market...

Oh, and there are now lap dancers, allegedly!.. I was told. I read it somewhere, I mean.

And of course, you'll want to see the monster! - it goes by the pet name, 'Derek', and was last spotted slithering  seething up in Dingwall. (sorry, that's an in-joke)!

[Kowloonatic]

Fixtures for Inverness Caledonian Thistle aren't out yet but the season will have started by then so you might be lucky and your trip coincides with a home game of ours!

Not sure about the nightlife as I don't get out much - but it shuts earlier than you'll be accustomed to in London! Inverness is a small city and has most things - apart from a casino! - A real gap in the market...

Oh, and there are now lap dancers, allegedly!.. I was told. I read it somewhere, I mean.

And of course, you'll want to see the monster! - it goes by the pet name, 'Derek', and was last spotted slithering  seething up in Dingwall. (sorry, that's an in-joke)!

 

Is there a decent whisky distillery tour? Likely to be open on a Monday? I have been to the Highlands before - Ullapool - and what a lovely part of the world you guys inhabit :)

[Sneckboy]

^{Clachnacuddin, Nairn or Buckie?}

 

Kowloonatic, you'll definitely get to see a game even if we're ( Inverness CT) away. Ross County (SPL) are in Dingwall not far north and likely to be scheduled home if Inverness are away (trains from Inverness go there - the Wick/Thurso service).

 

Then as you suggest, Clachnacuddin. Local Highland League team. Short walk from the centre of the city. Nairn County and Forres Mechanics are also Highland League and they're on the train line to Aberdeen from Inverness.

 

Just out of interest, what team do you support?

[Scarlet Pimple]

Sneckboy just check out his Moniker and the blurb will tell you all about this traveler.

 

Welcome to the Highlands, Kowloonatic. Just relaxing should be the way to go. Hire a car and get into Loch Ness and Glen Affric maybe.

Nessie is unpredictable but a saunter out to Glenurqhart  where the Loch Ness Monster usually lurks will also  allow you to visit Urquhart castle which has quite a history attached to it.  Get there by the main route South West along the Loch and then come back by the other side of the Loch for an interesting ride.

 

Cheers

S.P.---  from the wilds of Western Canada.

[PaderbornCaley]

^{Clachnacuddin, Nairn or Buckie?}

Kowloonatic, you'll definitely get to see a game even if we're ( Inverness CT) away. Ross County (SPL) are in Dingwall not far north and likely to be scheduled home if Inverness are away (trains from Inverness go there - the Wick/Thurso service).

Then as you suggest, Clachnacuddin. Local Highland League team. Short walk from the centre of the city. Nairn County and Forres Mechanics are also Highland League and they're on the train line to Aberdeen from Inverness.

Just out of interest, what team do you support?

Are you drunk!? You‘ve just suggested a visitor to the area should go to Dingwall. Tut tut.

Avoid Dingwall at all costs!!!

[Kingsmills]

 

Fixtures for Inverness Caledonian Thistle aren't out yet but the season will have started by then so you might be lucky and your trip coincides with a home game of ours!

Not sure about the nightlife as I don't get out much - but it shuts earlier than you'll be accustomed to in London! Inverness is a small city and has most things - apart from a casino! - A real gap in the market...

Oh, and there are now lap dancers, allegedly!.. I was told. I read it somewhere, I mean.

And of course, you'll want to see the monster! - it goes by the pet name, 'Derek', and was last spotted slithering  seething up in Dingwall. (sorry, that's an in-joke)!

 

Is there a decent whisky distillery tour? Likely to be open on a Monday? I have been to the Highlands before - Ullapool - and what a lovely part of the world you guys inhabit :)

 

 

The Ben Romach distillery in Forres about 26 miles to the east, do tours including Monday. You might even want to take home bottle of their smooth peaty malt as a memento of your visit.

[Kirishima]

Going from nightlife in Hong Kong and London to Inverness? That'll be interesting. if I was planning a weekend in Inverness around a game I'd be up on the Friday from Gatwick, staying in By the Bridge Apartments or City Suites, and out to one of the hotels on the river for dinner/drinks them a bar. A venture to a nightclub? (up to you, set your expectations very low)

Saturday morn, off to Glen Ord distillery and/or Tomatin distillery then the Innes bar pre-match and ICT game (if fortune favors) and then Sat just pub crawl it. Sunday and Monday you can do any number of excursions, you can go to Skye on a day trip or even Orkney on a day trip Sunday (early departure). Monday Urquhart castle by boat.

as for avoiding places, not really - but best to have a list of decent bars/restaurants to save walking around in circles. barOne, Hootanannys, Johnny Foxes, etc. all ok. There are loads of places to eat/drink.

thats from a early-30s perspective, long time expat, regular visitor. good luck!

Edited June 13, 2013 by Kirishima

[Kowloonatic]

Thanks very much all, some cracking suggestions there,

 

The group coming consists of myself (Villa) two Crewe fans, a Tranmere fan, A Citeh/Altrincham fan and an Aussie.

 

Not expecting mental nightlife at all. Looking for a bit of Highland serenity.

[Joonya]

Thanks very much all, some cracking suggestions there,

 

The group coming consists of myself (Villa) two Crewe fans, a Tranmere fan, A Citeh/Altrincham fan and an Aussie.

 

Not expecting mental nightlife at all. Looking for a bit of Highland serenity.

 

I may just have to meet you so as to simply sing 'SOTV'...

(as a lad from Coventry with a father who followed the Blues as a lad, not to mention two of our former star strikers having moved there in recent years, it seems only right for to take up the opertunity!!!)

[Kowloonatic]

 

Thanks very much all, some cracking suggestions there,

 

The group coming consists of myself (Villa) two Crewe fans, a Tranmere fan, A Citeh/Altrincham fan and an Aussie.

 

Not expecting mental nightlife at all. Looking for a bit of Highland serenity.

 

I may just have to meet you so as to simply sing 'SOTV'...

(as a lad from Coventry with a father who followed the Blues as a lad, not to mention two of our former star strikers having moved there in recent years, it seems only right for to take up the opertunity!!!)

 

 

Have you read that book 'Staying up'?

[SMEE]

Do the "Ten Men of Tain" do whisky tours of the distillery? Might be closer than Forres? Then again, if you want a proper proper tour of distilleries, you might wanna hire a car and head to Speyside. I think there might be a proper Whiskey Trail there

[+Gringo]

All Villa fans should visit Dingwall...they'll feel at home there    .

Whisky tours can be found in Speyside and environs which include Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Dallas Dhu, Cardhu and Benromach. Try visiting the Edradour distillery near Pitclochy, I understand its the smallest on the mainland. If any of your group like cask ale (real ale) there are quite a few establishments in Inverness and surrounding area. Castle Tavern, Kings Highway ('spoons), Blackfriars and, a little out of town by the Caley canal, the Clachnaharry Inn in Inverness. In Nairn there is the excellent Bandstand Bar at the Braeval Hotel overlooking the Links. 

Good shout above by Scarlet Pimple re the tour of Loch Ness, down one side, back the other. The main drag (A82) can be a pain at times though. On the way back, call in at the Dores Inn and visit Dores beach..you'll get a nice photo down the Loch from there. 

[+DoofersDad]

Good advice there but totally wrong about Villa fans.  Ross County are the B'ham Sh*tty of the North - forever in the shadow of their bigger and better neighbours.

 

There was a small fire one night at St Andrew's when Karen Brady was the Chairman and she was allegedly phoned by the Brigade in the wee small hours to inform her.  In a panic she said "Whatever you do you must save the cups" to which the Fireman replied "It's alright, Love, the fire's nowhere near the kitchen."

[Scarlet Pimple]

And don't forget a visit to the sombre site of CULLODDEN battlefield. Some 8 miles East of Inverness; a worthwhile visit. The last battle on British soil was fought here between the remnants of Bonnie Prince Charlie's army and  the larger and better equipped army of the Hanoverian Duke of Cumberland.

 

After the battle  which was over within an hour  it was  not a pretty site. He ordered the wounded to be killed and set fire to Leanach cottage with it's thatched roof and about 20-30 wounded men lying inside and continued his vicious progress throughout the Highlands thereafter. My uncle recounted to me that as the Hanoverian troopers marched past  the mill stream where his cottage was still standing  a wee boy threw a stone at them. At least one, if not more, redcoats shot the boy on the spot.They called Cumberland  the Butcher....but I am sure our Manager, Terry Butcher  will deny all associations, preferring to  offer excitement of the very highest and best kind at Tulloch Caledonian stadium.

 

Last time I was  up at Cullodden was about 4-5 years ago and they had re-engineered the site with a new building, large flags outlining the dispositions of the two armies on the day, with all kinds of dazzling special effects , cameraworks, a movie re-enactment of the battle and what not to inspire and awe the visitor. Actually, it was rather  eerie,  especially when you see the highland graves with no heather growing on them.....and for me the very large flags flying on the field of battle was a rush as you saw how close the armies had been.

 

Cheers guys

S P.

[Joonya]

Do the "Ten Men of Tain" do whisky tours of the distillery? Might be closer than Forres? Then again, if you want a proper proper tour of distilleries, you might wanna hire a car and head to Speyside. I think there might be a proper Whiskey Trail there

I'm you're man for that, although give me to the end of the month as I'm just switching from one firm to another (and I want the commision)

There's some cracking scenary in the area and if you guys like walking there's some real gems. Glen Affric is a particular fave as is the Cairngorm National Park. Loads of routes to walk.

If you're after a little more activity rather than a walk, theres paintballing on the way to Nairn, quad biking in Aviemore and I have hear the G2 acivity place there is fantastic. Zip-wiring all around the trees at Rothiemurcus (spelling).

 

If you're after a few sherberts, try and book onto one of the booze cruises on Loch Ness. They usually operate during the summer months so worthwhile looking into. I'm fairly certain they still run and are operated by Jacobite Cruises from the Caledonian Canal.