Traditions and culture in Inverness

Many of the ancient buildings of Inverness have been destroyed over the course of its often violent history, meaning it now showcases developments since the completion of the Caledonian Canal in 1822.

Generally seen as the commercial and economic centre of the Highlands, the city is also renowned for its prominence among bagpipe players, hosting the prestigious Northern Meeting competition every September.

In addition, Inverness is the stage for the famous annual Highland Games and it has a burgeoning music scene which has been developed around the emergence of the Ironworks Venue.

And of course, most people taking a holiday to the city in the summer are bound to spend some time gazing across Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for a sighting of the fabled monster.

Things to do in Inverness

There is plenty to keep you occupied in Inverness, which is perhaps unsurprising for a city which has been described in some quarters as one of the fastest-growing in Europe.

It is well worth taking a pleasant stroll to the south side of the Moray Firth, the Ness Islands or the Caledonian Canal, all of which have their picturesque charms and chance to spot bottlenose dolphins.

Golf, water sports and bike rides through Ness Islands and along the waterfront are extremely popular, while travellers should be able to get a host of recommendations from the hotel they are frequenting.

In terms of the nightlife, revellers must be aware that there is a midnight curfew for entering pubs and clubs, although there is plenty of live music and venues such as Hootananny's have excellent atmospheres.

Weather in Inverness

Any decent holiday guide should warn travellers preparing to book flights to Inverness to bring an umbrella and a coat as rain can be something of a nuisance.

Winters are often chilly, with temperatures falling to -10C, but the best months to head to the city are May, June - when there is daylight from 03:00 to 23:00 GMT - September and October.

Destination checklist for Inverness

Inverness has a population of 40,989.

The city is on UTC time.

The currency in Inverness is the pound.

The official language spoken is English.

The city's international dialling code is +44.