Quick facts

Inbhir Nis - Mouth of the River Ness

Inverness is the main town, and unofficial capital, of the Highlands.

Population - The population of Inverness City is around 65,000. 5.47% of the population of Inverness speak Gaelic.

Weather
Weather - The average rainfall in Inverness is 25.1 inches and July and August usually have the best weather. The average temperature in July is between 16°C and 20°C.

Local Clans - These are the most common traditional clan names found in and around Inverness today:

Clan Fraser
Clan MacDonald
Clan Cameron
Clan MacKay
Clan MacPherson

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Did you know?

The Clan Donald is said to have burned the town of Inverness at least seven times!

Comunn Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis (The Inverness Gaelic Society) was founded in 1871 and still runs to this day.

Looking across the Moray Firth

The first Gaelic-medium Education Unit in Scotland was established in Inverness Central Primary School in 1985.

Inverness is twinned with Augsburg in Germany, and the French towns of La Baule Escoublac and St-Valery-En-Caux.

Aleister Crowley, the British occultist, mystic and writer, lived in Boleskine House in Dores on the banks of Loch Ness. Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist, Jimmy Page, was said to be a Crowley fan and owned Boleskine House for a short time.

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Local heroes

Aggie Mackenzie

Aggie Mackenzie hails from the Black Isle, a matter of miles from Inverness city centre. Aggie is one half of the hygiene conscious duo Kim and Aggie. Aggie was the editor of the Good Housekeeping Magazine before becoming a household favourite in “How Clean is Your House?”

Spud the Piper

Local piper Calum Fraser has become a local hero in recent years. Not only is he one of the Tartan Army’s official pipers, he has also played for none other than the queen of pop herself, Madonna. In recent years, Spud and his pipes have starred in a Scottish Water advert, and toured as far afield as Moscow and Bangkok.

Ali Smith

Novelist Ali Smith was born in Inverness in 1962. She is a highly acclaimed author who as been shortlisted for such prestigious literary prizes as the Man booker Prize and the Whitbread Novel of the Year. Her most famous works are Hotel World and The Accidental.

Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg

Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, was one of Tony Blair's closest allies during Blair's time as Prime Minister. In fact, as a QC, he had even taught Mr Blair and his future wife, Cherie. Derry Irvine was born in Inverness in 1940, and after studying in Glasgow and Cambridge, he was called to the English Bar in 1967. He had an illustrious career, as Recorder, Deputy High Court Judge, legal adviser to the Labour Party, and Lord Chancellor.

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Well known landmarks

Caledonian Canal

The Caledonian Canal was designed by Thomas Telford and was started in 1803. The canal is 60 miles long, 22 miles of which are man-made, and runs along the Great Glen from Corpach to Inverness. The Caledonian Canal took 17 years to complete and was originally designed to make the trip from East to West Scotland less treacherous than sailing around the Pentland Firth.

The beautiful Caledonian Canal

The quickest way for passengers to reach Glasgow was by steamer through the Caledonian and Crinan Canals, and was used regularly until the railway reached Inverness. The canal is regarded as a masterpiece of canal engineering and is incomparable with any other canal in Britain. It was a mammoth task that was handed to the famous Thomas Telford and although it took a long time to complete, it has been a vital waterway in the Highlands for two centuries.

Culloden Battlefield

The battle that took place on Culloden Moor on the 16th of April 1746 ended all Jacobite hopes of restoring the exiled Stuart dynasty to the British throne. The army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was crushed to defeat within an hour by the Government forces being led by the Duke of Cumberland. It is said that at least 800 soldiers from the Clan MacKay fought against Bonnie Prince Charlie in this infamous battle. In the wake of this defeat, the life and traditions of the Highlands were effectively changed forever.

Culloden Battlefield bathed in sunshine

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is the largest loch in the Great Glen, which divides the North of Scotland running from Fort William to Inverness. The loch is 23 miles long, a mile in width and averages 600ft in depth, although the maximum recorded depth was closer to 740ft. Loch Ness’ most infamous inhabitant is, of course, Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. The mystery of whether or not a dinosaur-type creature lurks beneath the waters has firmly put Loch Ness on the map and made it one of the most famous lakes in the world. Official sightings of the monster have been recorded since 1933 when Nessie properly hit the headlines. Rumours of strange events had been around before 1933 – however, it was in this year that the construction of the A82 began on the west bank. Since then many investigations, sonar scans and loch-side vigils have been performed and although there is no conclusive evidence that Nessie exists, the debate rages on.

Fort George

Fort George, in Ardersier, lies 11 miles north-east of Inverness and was originally designed by William Skinner, the King's Military Engineer for North Britain in 1747. It was built as a solution to the threat posed by the Highlands and the Jacobite rising preceding the Battle of Culloden. This fort was completed in 1769 and although it was hugely over budget and well behind schedule it was probably the strongest fortification project ever built in the UK. In fact the Fort is still used as army barracks to this very day with very few changes implemented since the original design.

Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle is home to the Sheriff Court today and sits above the city on Castle Hill. It originated in the 11th Century and was originally situated a little east in Auldcastle Road. The castle featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and although there is no historical evidence that King Duncan was murdered here, there have apparently been sightings of his ghost walking along the riverside. The original castle was burned during the Jacobite Rebellion in 1746 and was rebuilt in the 1830s to house the courts.

Inverness Castle overlooks the city

St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral can be seen from the castle hill. The cathedral was built by Alexander Ross between 1866 and 1869 and was the first cathedral to be completed since the Reformation. Unfortunately the original design included that of two 30m spires but funds ran out before they could complete the cathedral hence the unusual square topped towers on the cathedral.

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Sports

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle football club currently plays in the Scottish Premier League.

The Inverness Thistle FC team and Caledonian FC team amalgamated in 1994, much to the dismay of the hardcore rivals, to form the now renowned Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club. They currently play at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and have held their own in the Premier League since being promoted in 2004.

They play in red, white and blue and are nicknamed “Caley Thistle!”

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Best time to visit

June: The success of Rock Ness 06 has established the one-day dance festival as a regular fixture. The festival takes place at the end of June.

July: The Inverness Tattoo takes place at the end of July and proves to be quite a treat for all visitors to the city.

September: A festival of Psalm singing will take place at the beginning of September 2007. Also in this month, you can watch shinty’s showpiece event, the Camanachd Cup final.

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What's on?

What's on: January

LOCH NESS HOGMANAY FESTIVAL

28/12/06-02/01/07 – Drumnadrochit

NAIRN FESTIVAL OF TENNIS

05/01/07-12/01/07 – Nairn

SCOTTISH DANCE / CEILIDH

06/01/07 – Thurso

DED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS

06/01/07 – The Ironworks, Inverness

HIGHLAND 2007 MONSTER STREET PARTY

12/01/07 - Inverness

FONN 'S DUTHCHAS: LAND AND LEGACY

13/01/07–17/03/07 - Inverness

INVERNESS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY RE-OPENING

13/01/07 - Inverness

CRAIGNISH ARTS FESTIVAL - GREEN WHALE

13/01/07 - Ardfern

HEALTHY HIGHLAND 2007

15/01/07-21/01/07 - Highlands

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES - CARDUCCI QUARTET

16/01/07 - Inverness

BRING BACK THE BEAVER!

17/01/07 – Inverness

JANEY GODLEY IN GOOD GODLEY!

19/01/07 – Crown Court Hotel, Inverness

ANATOMY ACTS' EXHIBITION

20/01/07-17/02/07 - Thurso

BURNSONG

25/01/07 - Stornoway

ESSENTIAL SCOTTISH OPERA TOUR

25/01/07 - Birnam

PASSING PLACES / AITE SEACHNAIDH

26/01/07-27/01/07 - Ullapool

ESSENTIAL SCOTTISH OPERA TOUR

27/01/07 - Sleat

BURNSONG

27/01/07 – Strontian

INSOMNOBABBLE

27/01/07 – The Spectrum Centre, Inverness

ESSENTIAL SCOTTISH OPERA TOUR

30/01/07 - Arisaig

More information about Highland 2007 events for January can be found at www.highland2007.com

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Learn more

Have you now got the taste for Gaelic? Well here are a few alternative learning resources to continue the Gaelic journey.

Full-time Learning

Cùrsa Comais – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
The Cùrsa Comais or Immersion Course is a full time residential course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college. It is aimed at those wishing to obtain fluency in the language.
Contact: 01471 888000
Email: trusadh@smo.uhi.ac.uk
Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Part-time Learning

Short Courses – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
The Gaelic college on Skye also offers weekly residential course for beginners and intermediate beginners. A full timetable of courses usually runs at Easter time and also throughout the summer months.
Contact: 01471 888000
Email: cg@smo.uhi.ac.uk
Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Short Courses – Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle
The Gaelic centre on Islay also offers a short course programme. These courses are for all levels of learners.
Contact: 01496 810818
Web: http://www.ile.ac.uk/

Distance Learning

Cursa Inntrigidh - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
The Cursa Inntrigidh is a distance-learning course based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. The course is about gaining the confidence to use your Gaelic practically, with priority given to speaking and listening skills. It takes advantage of new technology to reach those people who are too far away or whose schedule makes it impractical to attend existing courses. Workbooks and accompanying CDs allow students to work at any time of day or night that suits and weekly conversation classes through teleconferencing offer the opportunity to chat to tutors and practice with others on the course. Weekend schools held at the College offer the opportunity to consolidate and put into practice what has been learned, as well as the chance to get to know students and tutors in a convivial Gaelic atmosphere.
Contact:01471 888000
Email: sm00cin@groupwise.uhi.ac.uk
Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Learn Gaelic at BBC Alba
The BBC offers an array of online learning tools for the Gaelic beginner. They have their Beag air Bheag online course, they have Colin and Cumberland games and they also have an online version of “Litir Bheag” from Radio Nan Gàidheal.
Web: www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba

learndirect scotland
learndirect scotland have learning centres throughout the Highlands and Scotland. These centres give you an opportunity to learn Gaelic either online or through community classes. learndirect scotland have a full and up to date calendar of course. For more information go to their website or give them a call.
Contact:0808 100 9000
Web: http://www.learndirectscotland.com

Community Learning

Gaelic Adult Learning
Highland Council and Inverness College offer an opportunity to learn Gaelic in a progressive and flexible way through attending daytime and evening classes, based in the local community centres as well as Inverness College. The classes are offered on a scale of 8 levels, with students progressing from Level 1 through to Level 8, or alternatively joining at an appropriate level.
Contact Margaret Mulholland:01463 724203

Gàidhlig san Dachaigh
The Gàidhlig san Dachaigh classes are immersion classes and are based around everyday household activities. These classes run on a Monday and Wednesday between 7 and 9pm and also on a Saturday between 10am and 12pm.
Contact CNSA: 01463 225 469
Web: http://www.cnsa.org.uk/

Alternative Learning in Inverness

UHI Centre For History
The UHI Centre for History is based in Dornoch just North of Inverness. This Centre will be offering certificate qualifications in Cultural Tourism and Family History in conjunction with Highland 2007. They will also be holding a Summer School for Highlanders Abroad and they will be holding a variation of events and lectures throughout the year.
Contact Stephen MacKay: 01847 889388

Cearcall Còmhraidh Inbhir Nis
A conversation circle takes place every Wednesday from 7pm until 9pm in Blackfriars pub. It is for all level of Gaelic speakers and is an opportunity to practice your spoken Gaelic with other learners and fluent speakers.

Club-Oidhche Inbhir Nis
Fòram Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis hold a Club night once a month in the Columba Hotel in Inverness. It is usually the last Friday of the month and is held between 8.30pm and midnight.
Contact:cluboidhche@hotmail.co.uk

Buidheann Comhraidh Gàidhlig
A conversation group meets at Culloden library every Saturday morning between 10am and 12pm. This is an opportunity to talk Gaelic with other learners and users.
Contact Susie Hardy:01463 226710

Useful Gaelic Organisations

Clì Gàidhlig
Clì Gàidhlig is an organisation dedicated to the learning and promotion of the Gaelic language. Clì offer a variety of courses from one-day courses to weekly classes all around Scotland. These include Gaelic Awareness courses, conversation classes and Gaelic grammar courses. Clì Gàidhlig also run a website www.learn-gaelic.info that has information on local night classes and community groups.
Address: Clì Gàidhlig, 3 Union Street, Inverness, IV1 1PP
Phone: +44 (0)1463 226710
Email: cli@cli.org.uk

Comunn na Gàidhlig
Comunn na Gàidhlig is a Gaelic Development organisation. CnaG are involved with many community projects around the country. They can offer funding to community projects and for the promotion of the Gaelic language.
Address: CnaG, 5 Mitchells Lane, Inverness, IV2 3HQ
Phone: 01463 234138
Email: oifis@cnag.org.uk
Web: www.cnag.org.uk

Comann na Sgoiltean Àraich
CNSA offer several different ways to learn Gaelic from “Gaelic San Dachaidh” (Gaelic in the Home) courses to Full-Time Total Immersion courses. They also run Mother and Toddler groups as well as manage Cròileagan groups (for toddlers) throughout Scotland.
Address: 53 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1DR
Phone: +44 (0) 1463 225469
Email: Derek@cnsa.org.uk
Web: www.gaelicworld.co.uk

Comann Nam Pàrant
Comann nam Pàrant, meaning “Parents’ Organisation”, represents the interests of Gaelic-speaking parents or parents of children who are in Gaelic-Medium Education. There is currently a network of around 30 local groups.
Web: www.parant.org.uk

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