Page 250 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

248 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

1 Inverness hand accounts from those involved
Highland; IV1 in the events. Visitors can also walk
Sitting serenely on the River Ness, the battlefield for a soldier’s-eye view.
Inverness is acknowledged as the ª Continue on B9006, bearing right
capital of the Highlands. The river is onto B9091. Turn right onto B9090 to
flanked on one side by a substantial Cawdor Castle.
pink stone castle, built in the 19th
century on the site of a much earlier The Mystery of Loch Ness
structure destroyed by the Jacobite
army after 1746. On the other side Stories of a monster lurking in Loch
Ness date back to St Columba, who
stands Inverness Cathedral, with some is said to have saved a man from the
fine stained-glass windows. The City beast. However, modern sightings
Museum (open Mon–Sat) contains a started in 1933, when a creature
variety of items associated with the with a long neck was reported in the
Highlands. Visitors can also enjoy a loch. Murky photographs and film of
cruise on Loch Ness (www.jacobite.co.uk) the creature have appeared: many
consider them to be hoaxes, others
and learn more about Loch Ness are sure that Nessie exists. Scientific
Above St Mary’s Catholic Church by the River wildlife including, of course, the expeditions have been unable to find
Ness, Inverness mythical monster. Buses to the boats the beast, and the mystery lingers on.
leave from Inverness Bus Station.
ª From Rose Street car park drive
VISITING INVERNESS onto A82 roundabout, turning right, 3 Cawdor Castle
Parking then join A9 south for a short distance, Cawdor, Nairn; IV12 5RD;
For long-term parking close to the turning left on B9006. The Culloden Although Cawdor Castle’s (May–Sep:
castle try the Rose Street car park, Visitor Centre is just off the road and open daily; www.cawdorcastle.com) only
off A82/B865.
clearly signposted; there is a car park. associations with the real Macbeth
Tourist Information were in Shakespeare’s imagination,
36 High Street, IV1 1JQ; 01463 2 Culloden that does not lessen its appeal. It was
252 401
Culloden Moor, Inverness; IV2 5EU built in the late 14th century, long
The wind never seems to stop blowing after Macbeth had died, and retains
WHERE TO STAY across the bleak expanse of Culloden a medieval feel with stone staircases,
Moor where, on 16 April 1746, the last atmospheric passageways and a dun-
INVERNESS battle of the Jacobite Risings took geon. It is still home to the Cawdor
Trafford Bank Guest House moderate place. It lasted only an hour, but family and photos mingle with
Enjoy chic, designer rooms at this 5-star heralded the end of the distinctive Flemish tapestries, four-poster beds
B&B. There are features such as Victorian
roll-top baths, DVD players and luxury clan system, bringing many changes and artworks by Landseer and Edward
toiletries – and sherry decanters. to Highland Scotland. The excellent Lear. There are several colourful gar-
96 Fairfield Road, IV3 5LL; 01463 241 414; Visitor Centre (open daily; www.nts.org. dens – Walled, Flower and Wild – which
www.traffordbankguesthouse.co.uk uk ) gives the historical context to the are delightful places to explore.
Rocpool expensive battle, together with memorabilia ª Continue on B9090 to Nairn
This boutique hotel offers luxurious such as Jacobite medals and first- (consider a detour to the beach).
rooms and a high-end French bistro
endorsed by Albert Roux. Below The imposing west towers of Gothic Inverness Cathedral, built in 1866
Culduthel Road, IV2 4AG; 01463 240
089; www.rocpool.com
AROUND CAWDOR CASTLE
Sunny Brae Hotel moderate
Follow B9090 to the seafront in
Nairn for comfortable en-suite rooms,
some with views of the Moray Firth,
a restaurant, and an attractive guest
lounge with a sea view.
Marine Road, Nairn, IV12 4EA; 01667
452 309; www.sunnybraehotel.com
AROUND ELGIN
The Old Mill Inn inexpensive
Classic country pub in a village some
5 km (3 miles) west of Forres, offering
simple, antique furnished rooms, great
breakfasts and a choice of inexpensive
bar food or fine-dining later on.
7 Brodie, Forres, IV36 2TD; 01309 641
605; www.oldmillinnbrodie.com

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