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Why everyone should visit Scotland |
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Page 3 of 4
Inverness
 Inverness
The second stop on our high-life tour was the Highland town of Inverness, via a four hour train journey from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. Travelling by train was a wonderful experience. Crossing the Forth Bridge and traversing the Fyfe coast provided stunning coastal views. And, as the train climbed higher through the highlands we passed through Aviemore, an area of outstanding natural beauty, known well to me as a child from family camping holidays. Thankfully, on this trip I wasn’t carrying my sleeping bag – no! – I was taking a wheel-on carry bag with my very best shoes and dress and a shawl for the cool evenings.
With fantastic travel links, Inverness is a great base from which to explore the Highlands. We chose to go by train from Edinburgh, but Inverness is easily accessible by road and air.
Inverness grew up on the River Ness at the point where the river meets the Moray Firth. It’s the capital of the Highlands and with its beautiful suspension bridges, classic architecture and river frontage, it’s the perfect second destination for Vine’s summer feature on ‘the high life’.
After some initial research, we decided to stay at the four star ‘Columba Hotel’ built in 1881 on the banks of the River Ness, which flows in from Loch Ness. The Columba was named after St Columba who visited the city in AD565 with the intention of converting the ‘Picts’ who held the city.
The Columba has a magnificent situation – with views of the river Inverness Castle. Renovated in 2004 the hotel has a grand feeling of old world charm. Decorated with an Edwardian theme, and with photographs of Edwardian Royalty adorning the walls, the hotel has become a favourite for upwardly mobile travellers and visiting rock stars, keen to entertain the crowds every year at Rock Ness, held close by.
We were given room 204, overlooking River Ness and the Castle. The room was spacious and beautifully decorated. The attention to detail was fantastic and the welcome bottle of scotch on the table, along with the shortbread reminded us that we were indeed living the high-life!
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 July 2008 )
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