Members on this page offer accommodation in and around:
Nairn (2) - Inverness (4) - Drumnadrochit (1) - Beauly (1)
Please note that double/twin room prices are per person per night based on two persons sharing. To make enquiries or bookings, please contact the proprietor direct via phone, fax or email as detailed on the relevant entry. If you are outside the UK, first dial the appropriate international dialing code for your country (011 from the States for example), then dial 44 and omit the initial 0 of the number given in these pages, before dialing the remaining digits.
The eastern part of the Highland area has a variety of attractions, from the towns of Inverness and Nairn to little villages like Drumnadrochit, from lovely beaches at Nairn and Rosemarkie to fabulous scenic glens like Glen Affric, Glen Cannich, Strath Farrar and Strath Conon.
Nairn (Ceol-Mara, The Braighe) is a dignified seaside town with many large Victorian houses and a fine beach looking across to the Black Isle. The harbour area has recently undergone a facelift and an interesting part is the old Fishertown where old houses jostle together on narrow streets. There are two golf courses, including a Championship course, host to the Scottish Open in 1999.
Nearer to Inverness is Culloden Battlefield, (Woodside Farmhouse) site of the last battle on British soil, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Highland clans were defeated by the government troops and those on their side. The prehistoric Clava Cairns, believed to have been constructed about 4,000 years ago, are a short drive from the Battlefield.
Inverness itself, (Clach Mhuilinn, Highfield House, Millwood House) known as the capital of the Highlands has road, rail and air connections to other parts of Scotland and the rest of Britain. Quiet in winter, in summer Inverness welcomes an influx of visitors from all over the world. Most of them come to see Loch Ness but spend some time in Inverness shopping, enjoying the floral displays around the town or wandering along the riverside and exploring the series of little islands in the river, interconnected by bridges. Inverness was granted city status by the Queen in March 2001.
Inverness and the River Ness
The road on the south-east side of Loch Ness is quiet with lovely views and coming north again on the other side along the A82, goes past the ruins of Urquhart Castle watching over Loch Ness and a vantage point for monster hunting. From the pretty floral village of Drumnadrochit (Woodlands), the road through Glen Urquhart leads to Cannich and Glen Affric, passing the site of Corrimony ancient chambered cairns.
Glen Affric is well known as one of the loveliest glens in Scotland. It is about 40 miles from Inverness to the top of the glen with some narrow stretches of road but it is a highly recommended excursion. The first part is narrow and wooded but further on the glen opens out to give wonderful views of mountains and lochs and plenty of opportunity to take scenic photographs. Not far from Glen Affric, but not so well known, is Glen Cannich where there is always a good chance of seeing deer. In autumn, just listen for a while and you will probably hear the stags on the hills roaring or be lucky and see an eagle soaring above.
In the same area is Strath Farrar, where it is necessary to sign in at the gate-keeper's cottage and access can sometimes be restricted because it is controlled as a nature reserve and is one of the few remaining examples of the old Caledonian pine forests. To the north is Strath Conon notable for its varied and beautiful scenery. Deer and eagles can sometimes be seen by the alert. Try watching for an eagle above the hillside on the right of the road just after you pass the small church.
These scenic glens are easy to reach from Beauly (Ardgowan Lodge) which is just 12 miles north of Inverness. The town centre features the ruins of the Priory built by French monks in 1230.