Inverness is the self-styled Capital of the Highlands and an ideal base for starting a trip to the area.
It's not the most historic of areas but for the modern day tourists it has a good selection of shops, restaurants and places to stay.
Inverness boasts a good arts venue- the Eden Court Theatre - which has a bit of everything to offer from ballet to cinema, theatre and concerts.
If you do have a thirst for some bloody battles, then pay a visit to nearby Culloden Moor. (just two miles away). It's the place where in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army were butchered by George II's army.
Inverness officially became a city in the year 2000 when its new status was conferred by The Queen as part of the Millennium celebrations. And now it's bidding to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Of course the other well known feature in this area is Loch Ness - the reputed home of that creature from the deep the Loch Ness Monster. The loch is 24 miles long and 700 feet deep but who knows how big Nessie is?
For keen walkers or cyclists there is the Great Glen Way - a 70 mile route across Scotland from Inverness to Fort William. Cyclists can try the Great Glen Cycle Route - 75 miles to Fort William via Nessie's home which includes part of the route along the Caledonian Canal.
