As you enter the Port of Invergordon look for the bottlenose dolphins welcoming you to the Scottish Highlands. A small gift shop featuring whiskey, crafts, jewels, and the local fare will be combined with the sweet sites and sounds of traditional dancing and pipe bands. Though the port is small, a brand new berth is set for completion in 2020 to handle Oasis-class ships. As you disembark, the greatest opportunities to explore will be found in the town of Inverness, a short 50-minute train ride away.
Once you have made your way to Inverness, located on Scotland's northeast coast where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, you will discover the largest city and cultural center of the Scottish Highlands. Here the oceanic climate is changeable but not extreme. July is the hottest month at 14C (57F), and January is the coldest month at 4C (39F). There are six hours of sunlight in June and up to 2 inches of rain in January, the wettest month.
One of the largest cities nearby, Inverness, meaning "mouth of the River Ness", was founded as an ancient settlement during the Middle Ages as a fishing village and home to several monasteries. Many excursions go to Inverness just 26 miles away. The medieval period was a tumultuous time and the town had been pillaged and set on fire on several occasions. During the 16th through 19th centuries, the town was reborn as new buildings, churches, and a railway system that brought both tourists and goods to the town. In 2000 Inverness was made a city and boasts an economy centered on distilling, shipbuilding, and engineering. Most recently tourism has provided a huge boost to the region.
While you are visiting Inverness there are numerous attractions you will want to consider. Old Town features the 18th century Old High Church, 19th century Inverness Cathedral, and the Indoor Victorian Market featuring food and crafts. Additional points of interest are the 14th century Macbeth- linked Cawdor Castle, the 16th-century Lochside fortress Urquhart Castle, Falls of Foyers, Chanonry Point, and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, tracing Highland History. If you are feeling a bit brave, you can venture out to search for the world famous Loch Ness Monster.
There are many ways to spend the day in the Scottish Highlands. Here you will enjoy the spirit of life through the beauty of the natural surroundings. The sounds of bagpipes in the distance are calling you to the place where land and water intertwine in a delicate dance.
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