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Mini guide to: Inverness-shire

BY Laura Dean-Osgood

1st Jan 2015 Travel

Mini guide to: Inverness-shire

Home to Ben Nevis and Loch Ness the Highland county of Inverness-shire is steeped in natural and mythical wonder. Here are just a few of the things to see and do.

Highland eats

Velocity Cycle Cafe, Inverness-shire
The Velocity cycle cafe (via their website)

The Scottish Highlands are the perfect place to explore by bike (the slightly flatter parts, at least), so where better to stop for a bite to eat than Velocity cycle cafe and bike workshop.

Along your ride, drop in for a friendly greeting, fresh homemade and locally sourced food, and take a look over your bike in the communal workshop. The workspace is open for you to work on your own, or with a mechanic or even drop in for bike maintenance classes on Monday evenings.

 

 

Get active

The Great Glen Canoe trail - Inverness-shire
The Great Glen Canoe Trail (via Aito)

There are plenty of water tours in the area, but this five-day canoe expedition is the ultimate way to see the stunning sights of the area.

The Great Glen Canoe Trail Expedition starts at Fort William, where you’ll pack your canoes with your supplies and head out under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor.

Staying at secluded campsites along the way, you’ll explore some quiet wooded bays, paddle the length of lochs and canals and spend an entire day on Loch Ness before finishing up in the city.

 

 

Drink by the sea 

Glenuig Inn
Glenuig Inn from above (via wild-Scotland)

Arrive at the Glenuig Inn, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula by land or sea—the pub sits on the water’s edge and offer’s ten visitor’s mooring spots.

This wonderful pub, which also has several guest rooms, is an ideal base from which you can explore the breathtaking surroundings. Spend the day kayaking with basking sharks in the clear blue waters, spot dolphins off the Isles of Eigg, look out for Golden or White-tailed Eagles and explore extinct volcanoes and ancient caves.

Retreat back to the pub for well-deserved drinks (real ales, tasteful wines and whiskeys), fresh food, and a very sound sleep.

 

 

Family fun

Kyle of Lochlash
Kyle of Lochalsh

Kids will love spotting the vast array of marine wildlife from the Seaprobe Atlantis, a glass-bottom boat, which explores the waters around the Kyle of Lochalsh. Seaprobe Atlantis, a glass-bottom boat, which explores the waters around the Kyle of Lochalsh.

As you drift through the kelp forests, see who is the first to point out starfish, jellyfish, seals, and even dolphins. Some tours also take you to a fascinating World War II shipwreck, which is now teaming with all sorts of underwater life.

 

 

Cultural treat

Inchmore Gallery
Inchmore Gallery via Google maps

There are several great galleries in Inverness, including the Inchmore and the Beauly galleries. Art lovers should make a stop at IG:LU, an artist-run artspace and music venue that sits in the heart of the city, close to the River Ness.

IG:LU runs a lively schedule of events, including exhibitions, gigs and plays, all by local artists and performers.

What else have we missed? Comment and let us know!

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