Page 153 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS  151

The red sandstone exterior of Inverness Castle, high above the city centre, in the light of the setting sun
its atmosphere, with a compact of local and international as it lies within easy reach of
and easily accessible centre. per formers. Following the tree- most of the region’s best-known
Although sadly defaced by lined banks of the river further attractions, including the battle-
modern architecture, Inverness upstream leads to the Island site of Culloden, 8 km (5 miles)
earns a worthy reputation Walks, accessed by a pedestrian to the east (see opposite).
for its floral displays in suspension bridge. Beyond
summer, and for the this, further upstream still, is E Museum and Art Gallery
River Ness, which flows Inverness Leisure, which Castle Wynd. Tel (01463) 237114.
through the centre and offers swimming pools, Open Apr–Oct: Tue–Sat; Nov–Mar:
adds considerable spas and a variety of Thu–Sat. 7 -
charm. The river is wild, spiralling ∑ highlifehighland.com
frequented by salmon flumes. Thomas E Scottish Kiltmaker
fishermen during the Tel ford’s Visitor Centre
summer, even where it Caledonian 4–9 Huntly St. Tel (01463) 222781.
runs through the city Canal (see pp152–3), Open daily. & ∑ highlandhouse
centre. Holding the an engineering marvel offraser.com
high ground above constructed between F Eden Court Theatre
the city is Inverness Kiltmaker with Royal 1804 and 1822, is still Bishop’s Rd. Tel (01463) 234234. &
Castle, a Victorian Stuart tartan in constant use and can 8 7 ∑ eden-court.co.uk
building of red be viewed at
sandstone, now used as the Tomnahurich Bridge. From here, S Inverness Leisure
courthouse. Just below the Jacobite Cruises runs a series of Bught Lane. Tel (01463) 667500.
Open daily. & 7
castle, next to the tourist summer cruises along the length
information office, is the of Loch Ness – an excellent way 4 Jacobite Cruises
Museum and Art Gallery, to spend a sunny afternoon. Tomnahurich Bridge, Glenurquhart.
which houses permanent and Inverness is an ideal base for Tel (01463) 233999. & 7
touring exhib itions and runs touring the rest of the Highlands, ∑ jacobite.co.uk
workshops for children. The
main shopping area fans out in The Jacobite Movement
three directions from here and
includes a live ly pedestrian The first Jacobites (mainly Catholic
precinct where pipers and other Highlanders) were the supporters of James
musicians can be found busking. VII of Scotland (James II of England) who was
Just across the river is the deposed by his Parliament in the “Glorious
Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Revolution” of 1688. With the Prot estant
Centre, part of the Highland William of Orange on the throne, the
House of Fraser Group. Here Jacobites’ desire to restore the Stuart monarchy
visitors will get an insight into led to the uprisings of 1715 and 1745. James II, by Samuel
The first, in support of James VIII, the “Old
the history, culture and tradition Pretender”, ended at the Battle of Sheriffmuir Cooper (1609–72)
of the kilt, with audio-visual and (1715). The failure of the second uprising, with the defeat at Culloden,
workshop presentations of saw the end of Jacobite hopes and led to the demise of the clan system
kiltmaking. On the banks of the and the suppression of Highland culture for more than a century.
Ness, stands Eden Court Theatre,
which has a varied programme

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