Inverness

Inverness is the is the capital of the Highlands and the most northern city in Scotland.

Our hotel, The Royal Highland, was built in the 1800's and was originally a hotel for the early train travelers.  In fact, our room was very close to the train station, just outside the door across the hall.
I loved the plaid carpeting!

After dinner we joined Byron for a walk through the town, crossing the River Ness on a suspension bridge.  The sights were beautiful at night.

Monday, August 20

Leaving Inverness, we traveled south along the River Ness to the dark and deep Loch Ness.  There have been sightings of the monster for more than one hundred years.  We saw "models" of Nessy, but not her actual self.  Her full name is Agnes, but she is more commonly known as "Nessy".

Later we made a photo stop at the scenic ruins of Urquhard Castle, visited a pre-historic cairn and then to a castle where we saw a video of the unique process of vinting wines in northern Scotland.

After lunch we headed north/west to the desolate moors overlooking the Firth of Moray, the site of the infamous Battle of Culloden.  The visitors' center was outstanding and we had an excellent guide who took us for a walk of the battlefield.

We returned to town and then Larry and I headed to the nearby shopping center to find camera supplies.