Inverness, the Highland’s capital city

Inverness is the capital city of the Highlands.  It dates back to 6^th century AD to Pictish times.  There is evidence that Saint Columbus visited Inverness and Loch Ness in 565 AD, attempting to convert its inhabitants to Christianity. 

Inverness lives on in history in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where he built his stronghold and murdered the unfortunate Duncan.  In the 12^th century King David built a castle here and it was a trading port for fish, furs, timber and wool.  During the Scottish wars Scottish clans and English forces fought to control the castle and during the Wars of Independence, control of the castle finally passed to Robert the Bruce, who seized it in 1307. 

In 1562 Mary Queen of Scots spent four nights here after executing the Clan Chief Alexander Gordon to gain access.  Cromwell, realising its importance built a stronghold on the right river bank in 1657, but with the restoration to the throne of King Charles II shortly afterwards,  it was almost completely demolished.

In 1745 the castle was occupied by the famous Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite followers.  They ordered its destruction, fearing it would be taken by the British Government.  Before they were able to destroy it though, they were defeated at the Battle of Culloden, just outside Inverness.