Steve Holt discovers Inverness in the Scottish Highlands on a mini break.
WITH the popularity of mini city breaks and cheap air flight prices, European city destinations have become a popular choice for many.
In this dash to see Europe, cities closer to home are now pitching in with fantastic mini break deals, and one such city is Inverness in the Scottish highlands.
A trip up to Inverness once involved a car journey of several hours, but now flying out of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport the city can be reached in little over an hour using the excellent Ryanair service.
Checking in at the airport is a simple, stress free experience and the airport now houses several major high street shops in the departure lounge, making the short wait for flights more enjoyable.
On arrival at Inverness airport, the close proximity of all the area's attractions is a major reason why the city has become such a vibrant and exciting place to stay. Newly opened bars and restaurants alongside the riverside terrace stand alongside the traditional stores and the more unusual Victorian market arcades.
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Just a few miles outside the city lies Culloden Battlefield, where the last battle was fought on British soil.
The site is set on the dramatic Drumossie Moor, and the area has been developed to look how it was on that fateful day back in 1746.
The Culloden Memorials
Visitors can see the Culloden memorials and later this year, a new visitor centre will be opened with an interactive learning centre, which will use actors and computer technology to help visitors understand the bloody battle when Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army took on the Duke Of Cumberland and his government army.
The battle lasted for little over an hour, but by the end the Prince was defeated and the power of the clans was never to be the same again.
Close to Culloden lies Clava Cairns, an eerie and haunting Bronze Age cemetery consisting of ring cairns and standing stones, set in a beautifully remote setting.
Cawdor Castle a few miles east of the city is a fairy tale looking castle set in lovely gardens. The house is still lived in by its present owner and it is a magical place to wander round.
Visitors can admire the grand bedrooms and dining rooms and sneak a look at the original kitchen and puzzle over the tree in the cellar. Cawdor really is a gem of a place, well worth visiting just like Urquhart Castle, which nestles alongside Loch Ness. The castle is best seen from the water and the excellent new visitor centre, built into the hillside tells the fascinating history of this iconic site.
Jacobite Boats offer several excursions, ranging from hour trips to half day leisure cruises
But whichever type of excursion you take all eyes will be on the dark waters of Loch Ness, looking for the elusive Nessie.
Just a short distance away is the informative Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, which tells the story of the Loch Ness monster.
Inverness is a great placeto spend a few days. There is lots to see and it is easy to travel around. I recommend a visit soon ...
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