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Why everyone should visit Scotland |
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Page 4 of 4
 Inverness
After a leisurely bath in the fantastically ornate cast iron bath, we put on our glad rags and moved downstairs to “Castles”, the restaurant at The Columba. The menu was a pleasant change – it was seasonal and offered some fantastic local produce. My dining partner opted for the Scottish Fillet steak, while I went for Scottish salmon.
Bryan Cameron, the duty manager, served us, and gave us a virtual tour of Inverness. Nothing was too much trouble, and Bryan spoiled us with his gentle Scottish charm and his local knowledge. The Scottish fish and beef were sensational. The beef steak was huge, succulent and cooked to a ‘rare’ perfection for my travelling partner, while my scallops and Scottish salmon were so fresh they could have walked out of the nearby Loch.
We finished our meal with the cheese plate and a glass of the house wine which was light and fruity and put us in the mood for a walk around the town.
On our second day in Inverness we meandered along the River Ness where we discovered the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, celebrating all that is Invernessian. If you’re looking for something a little more adrenalin-inducing, then the nearby Cairngorm Mountains offer skiing in the winter months and the Black Isle Wildlife Park will amuse all the family and it is only 15 minutes away. For the adults, you should visit one of the numerous Scottish whisky distilleries and learn how whisky is made and maybe try a wee dram or two. We were lucky enough to get an invite to observe a traditional Scottish wedding. The bridge and groom – Hazel and Jarrad – encouraged the visiting Sennockians to partake in a glass or two of champagne alongside their guests, who had flown in from around the world. And from the rhododendron strewn Castle gardens, on the banks of the Moray Firth, just outside of Inverness, we enjoyed the 26 degree afternoon sunshine.
Our stay in the Highlands was an entertaining comparison to life here in Sevenoaks. There are many similarities between the two towns of Inverness and Sevenoaks – they’re both rich in culture, history and beauty. And although we didn’t manage to find a Ferrari dealer, we did find a great deal with regards to ‘quality of life’, thanks to the geniality of the people.
Retiring to the comfort of The Columba for our final night in the town, we went to bed knowing that we’d feel home-sick for a town which knows a thing or two about living the ‘high-life’.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 July 2008 )
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