[Paul]

Hi guys. Laura and I are heading up to Inverness on the second weekend of February (12th-15th). We've got a pretty hectic amount of places to go and stuff to see but I'm sure we can spare a wee while if anyone's up for a meetup?

[Jock Scot]

What a good idea! I am in England until the beginning of Feb. and depending what is awaiting me on my return and not forgetting the weather it sounds great. Lets firm up nearer the time?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

What a good idea! I am in England until the beginning of Feb. and depending what is awaiting me on my return and not forgetting the weather it sounds great. Lets firm up nearer the time?

Sure, Jock. We're still working out a way to fit everything in and are even still working out everything that we're doing but I'm sure we'll get a few hours free. At the moment it's looking like Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle and Culloden will have to be squeezed into the Saturday and Sunday along with a couple of other things - which I'm hoping to plan this week.
I'm sure Inverness Castle isn't open to the public and we were also hoping to get to Eilean Donan Castle but it's an hour and a half each way in the car. Could you recommend any other sites for us to visit?

[Jock Scot]

Fort George is well worth a look, it is a classic late 1700's masterpiece of fortifications and is still used as a barracks. It is on the same side of town(EAST) as Culloden and they are probably only 10 miles apart.Urquhart Castle,a ruin, alongside Loch Ness is another place that is about 12 miles out of Inverness on the A82(going West). If you are on a tight schedule you will not want to go too far afield. The House of Bruar(its a shop) on the A9(40 miles South of Inverness) is well worth a stop for lunch perhaps.Warning put the credit card under lock and key. Take an extra coat with you as it will almost certainly be cold around Inverness in Feb.! I kid you not!Let me know what your interests are and I will see what I can come up with.

[Paul]

Fort George may well be worth a look, the pictures I've looked at seem interesting.
The House of Bruar's tartan jackets have impressed me, however, it's ashame they don't have any available for men!

I've heard that Inverness is currently replicating what we had down here a few weeks ago, but hopefully it will clear up a bit and hopefully it wont drop below anything I can't handle in a kilt! I'll be taking 2 or 3 heavyweight kilts with me and will more than likely have 4 or 5 layers on, also.

We mainly want to explore the history of the area - castles and if there are any monuments. We'll be sure to pass the Cameron Highlander's memorial and several others when going around the town centre.
Also, are there any pubs with kilted regulars (or at least kilt friendly) for a quick pint around the centre?

[Jock Scot]

Originally Posted by Paul.

Fort George may well be worth a look, the pictures I've looked at seem interesting.
The House of Bruar's tartan jackets have impressed me, however, it's ashame they don't have any available for men!

I've heard that Inverness is currently replicating what we had down here a few weeks ago, but hopefully it will clear up a bit and hopefully it wont drop below anything I can't handle in a kilt! I'll be taking 2 or 3 heavyweight kilts with me and will more than likely have 4 or 5 layers on, also.

We mainly want to explore the history of the area - castles and if there are any monuments. We'll be sure to pass the Cameron Highlander's memorial and several others when going around the town centre.
Also, are there any pubs with kilted regulars (or at least kilt friendly) for a quick pint around the centre?

I am not a local local, so I know little about "watering holes", but there seem to be plenty about.As to kilted regulars, are there really any in Scotland? I was wearing the kilt in minus 18C the other day before I left for the South and we had 29 consecutive days where the temperature failed to reach above freezing.I hasten to add that I did not wear the kilt every day!Now if you want to know where to buy fishing tackle, or bullets in Inverness then I can help. Chisholms Kilt makers are in Castle Street behind the castle----- a shop that I would recommend a look at.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am not a local local, so I know little about "watering holes", but there seem to be plenty about.As to kilted regulars, are there really any in Scotland? I was wearing the kilt in minus 18C the other day before I left for the South and we had 29 consecutive days where the temperature failed to reach above freezing.I hasten to add that I did not wear the kilt every day!

When I was in Dumfries I was rather surprised by seeing a couple (other than the Xmarkers) each day. Pitlochry has a fair number aswell, especially older gents.
I think I'll ditch the trousers for the weekend but I may well double-up on thick kilt hose pulled up and hope that they'll compensate for the rest of my legs!

[MacBean]

The new museum at Culloden is well worth a visit. If you go there, just a short distance southish is Clava Cairns, also worth a visit if you like Pictish cairns and standing stones. Sueno's stone on the road to Nairn is pretty special. Have to agree about Ft. George too.

Originally Posted by Paul.

Hi guys. Laura and I are heading up to Inverness on the second weekend of February (12th-15th). We've got a pretty hectic amount of places to go and stuff to see but I'm sure we can spare a wee while if anyone's up for a meetup?