Inverness Blog

Accommodation for Loch Ness Marathon

February 7, 2022/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

With years of experience hosting Loch Ness Marathon runners, participants from all over the world have stayed here. There’s 2 main reasons runners choose to stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast for the marathon.

1. Location

This is a perfect location to stay in if you’re running the Inverness marathons. Whether it’s the Inverness half marathon in March or the full Loch Ness Marathon in October or one of the many events based around the Bught Park, we’re a short walk away. The Bught Park hosts the registration events for all races. With an early start, it’s great to be near the action. The half marathon starts on the riverside next to the park and finishes at the nearby Queens Park stadium. Runners for the full marathon are picked up at the Bught Park and driven by coach to the start point at the other end of Loch Ness. The finish is on the riverside alongside the park. So it’s not far for either event to drag your weary body from the finish line to Bannerman Bed and Breakfast for a rest.

2. It’s a lovely place to stay

We have 4 very comfortable ensuite rooms with all the usual facilities you need for a relaxing stay. Each room has a TV, tea/coffee, silent fridge, free wifi and a hairdryer. The 2 double rooms have king-size beds and the single has a standard double bed. The twin room has 2 single beds with double duvets for extra comfort.

Breakfast is delicious with flexible arrangements for runners. Early breakfast is available for runners on race day. A warming bowl of porridge is an excellent start to any day but it’s a particularly popular choice for slow release energy to get you round the route. Of course once you’ve completed the marathon you’ll be keen to indulge in a full breakfast the next day.

Everyone feels slightly anxious and excited on race day before they head to the start. Whether it’s your first Loch Ness Marathon or your hoping to improve your time you can be assured of friendly encouragement and be reassured everyone feels the same.

Now you’ve made a great choice to run one of the most scenic races in the world, make sure you also book accommodation at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast. This is a popular choice and Inverness gets very busy. It’s also a good idea to make dinner reservations for the night before and the night of the race. With thousands of competitors staying in the city you wont be the only visitors looking for a bowl of pasta the night before. Read more on my top 10 eating places in Inverness.

What’s happening at Inverness Castle

December 3, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

You can’t miss the big red boards around Inverness Castle at the moment. On closer inspection you’ll see the boards show some of the fascinating history of the castle. The reason for the boards is to close the castle buildings to the general public whilst Inverness Castle gets some dramatic changes. Access to the grounds is still available, so you can still enjoy the terrific views of the riverside and take a snap of Flora MacDonald.

New Development

Until recently Inverness Castle was the home of Inverness law courts. So unless you want to enter the building in handcuffs it’s not open to the general public. Now that the law courts are rehomed, the new plan is to develop the building into a stunning tourist destination. The first phase of the development sees the castle transform into an attraction for visitors and locals. The refurbished castle offers an insight into the fascinating history of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands. The landscape, culture and language will feature heavily. With a history as a court and prison, there are many intriguing spaces and stories to explore. As well as learning, the castle’s raised position overlooking the town will provide areas for eating, drinking shopping and taking in the stunning views. The grounds of the castle are to form an outdoor space to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Storytelling in the Highlands

Storytelling is a great Highland tradition and will feature heavily. Inverness Castle and grounds will celebrate the Spirit of the Highlands in 100 stories, which will capture the essence of the unique history of the area. The project aims to create an ‘Autobiography of the Highlands’. As a result we will have a digital archive built from a collection of stories all told by the people who live, work and visit here.

Inverness Castle Then and Now

Inverness Castle is currently 2 separate buildings. The first of those dates from 1830s and was the a courthouse. The second was built as a prison in the 1840s. This is the same site the original medieval castle. With a long and tempestuous history, the previous castle was set ablaze several times and endured many sieges. The castle was finally destroyed by the Jacobites prior to the Battle of Culloden in 1746. You can find out more about the history of the area and your Scottish roots at the Highland Archive Centre.

In the future a new glass building will link the two towers, providing a wonderful light space with views to the riverside. This public space will be a perfect location to take in Inverness and plan your day from here.

Work has started now on the development with a tentative opening date of the first phase around late 2022. In the meantime there are still many sights to see in and around Inverness. The surrounding grounds are open including the famous statue of Flora MacDonald. The boards around the castle are really interesting and worth a read. For anyone travelling the Great Glen Way the castle is a welcome sight. There’s a stone marking the end of the journey from Fort William to Inverness.

Book your next Inverness stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast. This is the perfect base for taking in the sights of Inverness and the surrounding Scottish Highlands.

Is it worth visiting John O’Groats?

October 2, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

For the journey alone, it is worth visiting John O’Groats. It is almost the northern most tip of Scotland’s mainland and a destination many want to achieve. Charity runners and riders often trek from Land’s End at the southern most tip of England to John O’Groats. From Inverness it is 120 miles away. With some stunning scenery enroute and pretty villages full of history, it’s a great day out from Inverness. Going up the north east coast of Scotland on the A9 it is part of the circular North Coast 500.

John O’Groats is a tiny village. The name comes from a 15th century Dutchman, Jan de Groot, who ran a ferry from the mainland to the Orkney Isles. On a clear day you can see the first of the many islands of Orkney. These days many people stop here for the iconic photograph of the famous signpost. There’s plenty of space for parking, stretching your legs, toilets, as well as cafes and shops.

Dolphin Spotting on the Black Isle

Whilst there isn’t a great deal at John O’Groats itself, the journey there and back is full of interest. From Inverness you head north on the A9 over the Kessock Bridge and through the Black Isle. There’s a well known viewing point for dolphin spotting at Channery Point. It’s a few miles off the A9 between the villages of Fortrose and Rosemarkie. If you are privileged to see the dolphins jumping and playing it’s a wonderful sight.

Falconry at Dunrobin Castle and Gardens

The next bridge takes you over the Cromarty Firth and you can’t fail to notice the unused oil riggs across the seascape. You’re soon in Tain, which is home to the world famous distillery Glenmorangie. Tain Pottery is also based here. Next stop is Dunrobin Castle, which is near Golspie, and is a magnificent building full of history. The gardens are beautiful with breathtaking views out to sea. Twice a day there is a falconry display in the gardens.

Timespan Museum, Helmsdale

The fishing village of Helmsdale is worth a stop. On the outskirts is the Emigrants’ Statue, in memory of all the people forced from their homes to leave Scotland during the Highland Clearances. You can learn more about this and the history of the area at the excellent Timespan Museum in Helmsdale. North of Helmsdale you head into Caithness and soon encounter the Berriedale Braes. This notorious stretch of road has recently been improved to iron out the severe hairpin bends, but you still need to take care. Check your breaks before this point in the road.

There are a couple of small towns near the most northerly point, Wick and Thurso. There are more castles, museums and churches to visit. Just south of Wick is Old Wick Castle, which is a Norse ruin on an amazing cliff walk. Also nearby is Duncansby Head where you will see the Duncansby Stacks.

The next stop is John O’Groats and you have reached your destination. These are just a few suggestions of places to visit along the route. There are many more to suit all interests. If you’re continuing round the North Coast 500, here‘s some useful information to help plan your trip. You don’t have to stop here, you can go further north to Orkney. Find out why you should stay here at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast, the perfect base before heading north.