Inverness

We used Ardgarry b and b. Great service and wonderful breakfast. One of the cheaper ones, but would not know it by the services rendered. See: http://www.ardgarryguesthouse.co.uk/

We were in Inverness last August and really liked our B&B, Trafford Bank. Here's the website if you'd like to check it out:

www.traffordbankguesthouse.co.uk/

The owners are very helpful & will direct you to the best pubs, etc

We can highly recommend Ness Bank Guesthouse. Situated overlooking the River Ness, about a 5 min walk from city centre. Owner, David, is very helpful. Breakfast delicious.

There are lots of great places to stay in inverness. Check out the ones that are mentioned. Catch an early train up to Inverness. You'll enjoy the views.

Here are some thoughts on places to visit! First, I would recommend that you plan on visiting Culloden. It's easy to reach on public transportation. You can also walk over to Clava Cairns if you are interested in stone circles. There is also public transportation to Fort George. This is working fort that was built after the '45 to contain those wild highlanders. There are also day trips to Urquhart Castle. There is a large TI in Inverness that can set you up with day tours. Boat tours on the Moray Firth is another activity. You may or may not see dolphins, but you'll see the beautiful firth. You can take a day trip on the train to Plockton or Kyle of Lochalsh which is highly scenic.

There are lots of great pubs in Inverness. The Hootenanny has live entertainment. Upstairs is usually contemporary and downstairs has traditional music. The Mustard Seed is great restaurant. I like the pub that is directly behind the castle for a late afternoon ale. You can sit outside and watch the tourists come and go.

Pam

Kelly - We stayed at St Anne's B&B, it was very nice. We used Puffin Tours to take an Isle of Skye tour.

Being as though are from Colorado.there is a coach that runs up to Durness, its an astonishing journey though a landscape like no other in the UK. If CAMRA has a website check that for pub recommendations
Alternatively, consider Oban and maybe a trip to the Old Forge.The "other" line Glasgow -Fort William, is really something

There are Premier Inns and Travelodges in Inverness. Some can be booked for as little as 35 pounds per night, per room. That would be cheap sleeping. Also, look at: http://eurapart.com/quickpal.html

We went to Hootnanny and Johnny Fox. Liked Johnny Fox better, a lot better.

You will LOVE Inverenss. The Tourist Information Center is very helpful. We have used Puffin Tours and Canny Tours (they may have gone out of business). Jacobite tours do cruises up Loch Ness and stop at Urquart Castle -some go all the way up to Durmnadrochit- the small village at the top of the loch. There are a couple of good pubs there and some great shops. Be sure to wander through the Victorian shopping arcade in Inverness as there are some good shops there and some "interesting" ones as well. Take a walk along the river one evening.

We have stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel. It is attached to the train station. Even if you don't stay there, go into the lobby. Their staircase was used in the film Titanic because it was the model for the original staricase on the ship!

There are good day trips to Elliean Donnan Castle and Isle of Skye that include some lovely scenery in the glens. If you are up to it, you can do a very long day trip up to Orkney. Defintely do Culloden and Clava Cairnes. Use public transport or pick a day trip that includes them and the glens (some include lovely walks).