Inverness accommodation Archives

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.

How to travel to Inverness

September 1, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

There are many ways to travel to Inverness. The journey from every direction is beautiful, so worth savouring if you can. If you’ve never been to Inverness take a look on a map. It’s on the north east coast of Scotland but it’s situated more west than the west coast of England. It sits at one end of the longest loch in Scotland, Loch Ness, the Great Glen Way and the Caledonian Canal which stretches to Fort William on the west coast. It’s at sea level but surrounded by hills and mountains.

By Train

Scotrail run the train service and provide all information on timetables and tickets. The journey from Edinburgh or Glasgow is about 3 hours 20 minutes and from Aberdeen it’s 2 hours and 15 minutes. From London it takes about 8 hours. How about taking the Caledonian Sleeper so you can leave the busy city in the evening and wake up in the beautiful Scottish Highlands feeling refreshed about a good night’s sleep. Have a look at The Trainline website to help plan your journey with live running times and facility information.

By Bus

There are a few coach companies running bus services to Inverness. Check my bus give you details on the best prices and routes available.

By Car

From the south the most direct route to Inverness is up the A9, taking in the Grampian mountains with plenty of interest along the route. The House of Bruar is a good stopping point. It’s 2 hours from Inverness and is an excellent opportunity for refreshments, toilets and a stretch of the legs. From Glasgow and the west coast you can also take the A82, which is a very scenic route, passing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland.

By Plane

Inverness airport is 7 miles from the city and it’s small, so it’s an easy connection, Most flights are internal with a few international exceptions including Amsterdam and Dublin. The flight time from London is about one hour and thirty minutes. Easyjet and British Airways fly most of the flights with Loganair providing vital connections to the Scottish islands.

Whichever way you get here, you’ll discover Inverness is a perfect base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. Read more in my blog on why you should stay in Inverness and in particular, why you should stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast. For help in planning your next trip, please get in touch.

Inverness at night — by kind permission of Andrew Pickett

Dog Friendly Inverness Accommodation

July 20, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

Many people are holidaying in the UK for the first time. If you want to include your dog, you’ll need dog friendly accommodation. This is a perfect base in the Scottish Highlands providing Inverness dog friendly accommodation.

We have 4 comfortable ensuite rooms, 2 large king-size doubles, a twin and a single with a double bed. Each room has home comforts – a television, tea/coffee, silent fridge, hairdryer and free wifi. There’s space for a dog bed in each room.

This is a great location with or without your pet. We are walking distance from the riverside, with the Bught Park and Ness Islands nearby making an ideal walk. We’re also not far from the Caledonian Canal, a superb setting for a picturesque walk with a tempting dog friendly pub along the way. Further afield we have a great choice of beaches, golf courses and gardens to visit. Or you may prefer getting out in the hills and making the most of the Highland air and stunning scenery. Read more on my favourite beaches in the area.

I can recommend a few dog friendly eating places too.

An Talla

Four miles from Inverness on the banks of the Caledonian Canal, this modern cafe is at one of the starting points for a cruise on Loch Ness. Jacobite Cruises own this restaurant, shop and ticket office for boat trips. An Talla is open from 10am – 4pm every day, so it’s an ideal spot for coffee and cake after a dog walk along the canal. You can also take your dog on a boat trip.

Black Isle Bar

This is a city centre bar with a great relaxed atmosphere. They serve organic wine and beer and the beer is from their own Black Isle Brewery. Also excellent pizzas are made in their wood fired pizza oven. They are quick to offer a bowl of water for your dog.

McGregors Bar

Another city centre bar specialising in Scottish fayre. It’s a former Scottish Pub of the Year and often features live traditional music. The food, service and atmosphere are great and there’s lovely outdoor terrace.

Clachnaharry Inn

This is a very well known pub locally with a great reputation for a Sunday roast. It’s situated near the Caledonian Canal so it’s a perfect spot for a pub lunch after a dog walk along the canal.

To book a break with your dog, then look no further than this Inverness dog friendly accommodation. To find out our rates and availability check out website.

Where should I stay in Scotland

July 12, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

Inverness is one of 7 cities in Scotland and a must-see city for anyone visiting Scotland. There’s a rich variety of places to see in and around the City. It’s also a perfect base for getting to other parts of the Scottish Highlands. So if you’re asking where should I stay in Scotland, Inverness should be on your list.

It’s a bustling city, with breath-taking scenery and you can’t forget its famous Loch is home to the infamous Loch Ness Monster! That’s what makes it the perfect exploration ground for a staycation.

So to help you plan a trip, we’ve put together a short itinerary of some of the things you might enjoy in and around the area when you’re here. We’ve tied this in with VisitScotland’s staycation guide, which has been created to help visitors plan their ideal trip. There’s something for everyone – adventure seekers, curious travellers, history enthusiasts, foodies and lovers of the outdoors. Check out our recommended itinerary for exploring Inverness in four days.

Day 1

For the adventure seeker in you, why not take the challenging cycle along the Great Glen Way, which is 117 km in length, or enjoy something even more thrill-seeking with a bungee jump.

Day 2

For heritage enthusiasts, why not visit the very site of the final Jacobite Rising, Culloden Battlefield? Nearby is Cawdor Castle, a picturesque castle and gardens well worth a visit. Or head to Inverness Cathedral and enjoy the wonderful showcase of architecture and fascinating history.

Day 3

To nourish the food-lover in you, why not visit one of Inverness’ wonderful restaurants. There are lots of options to savour delicious cuisine in friendly relaxed settings after a day of exploring. Read more on my Top 10 Favourite Eating Places in Inverness.

Day 4

For the outdoor lover in you, enjoy the natural surroundings of Inverness with a boat tour on Loch Ness. Be sure to bring your camera in case you catch a glimpse of the legendary Nessie.

Ready to plan your staycation in Inverness? Call, email or book online. We very much look forward to welcoming you here.

Child Free Accommodation

July 5, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

Did you know that Bannerman Bed and Breakfast provides child free accommodation? It’s not that we don’t like children. It’s just that sometimes it’s nice to stay in child free accommodation that’s exclusively for adults. We have chosen not to squeeze in extra beds and cots to our lovely bedrooms so we can maximise the comfort for guests. Here you can appreciate a comfortable night’s sleep in peace and quiet on your Inverness break. You can enjoy a relaxing breakfast without interruptions from the little ones. This is the perfect place for a UK staycation.

Grown up Break

Of course there are lots of activities and places of interest to visit in the Highlands whilst getting away from the family. As well as a vast array of historic attractions like Culloden Battlefield, Dunrobin Castle and Urquhart Castle, there’s stunning scenery to visit in every direction. We have golden sandy beaches all along the east coast. Nearby there are opportunities for dolphin watching from land and at sea. Wildlife fans can see animals in their natural habitat at Loch Garten, including the magnificent ospreys. For a bit of exercise you can hire bikes from Ticket to Ride which is a short walk away from here. As well as providing the equipment they will advise you on the best routes and provide maps.

Distilleries and Shopping

When the weather’s a wee bit dreich, it’s a great time to visit a distillery or 2. There’s also the Black Isle Brewery and a bit of retail therapy in the Highland capital, Inverness. Without the kids you can indulge in a few late nights. Take in the wonderful selection of restaurants, many of which are walking distance from Bannerman Bed and Breakfast. For example MacGregor’s bar is a former Scottish bar of the year. You can ready more on my top eating places in Inverness.

So go on … treat yourselves to an Inverness break and make the most of your time away from the kids. Check availability for our child free accommodation.

Why stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast?

July 4, 2021/in Blog, Tourism /by Alison BC

With so many places to choose for your stay in Inverness, it’s reasonable to ask why stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast? You might be booking a staycation in the UK for the first time. Or perhaps you’re overwhelmed by the amount of places available. This is a 4 star Inverness bed and breakfast, with a proven track record in customer service. Here’s more on why you should stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast.

Essentials

The first thing you’re looking for is somewhere supremely clean and comfortable. A good night’s sleep is essential and you’ll get that here. We have 4 rooms, 2 king-size doubles, 1 twin and 1 single (with a double bed). I’m often asked where did we get our beds, as they are so comfortable.

The rooms also have all the comforts you’d expect in modern accommodation – television, tea/coffee facilties, silent fridge, hairdryer and free wifi. The ensuite shower-room is equipped with soft towels and Scottish Fine Soap toiletries.

Hearty Breakfast

After a good night’s sleep a delicious hearty breakfast is available. Our breakfast menu offers all sorts of options, catering for all tastes and diets. The Full Highland Breakfast is very popular, as well as the Full Vegetarian. There are many lighter options and our overnight oats are a great talking point, as is the home-made jam. As much as possible we use local produce and our sausages and bacon are from the local butcher. In addition to the standard breakfast menu, a vegan menu is also available by arrangement. If you have an early start the we can arrange an early breakfast or a takeaway breakfast.

Location

We’re on the A82, the main road to Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit and Fort William. Bannerman Bed and Breakfast is walking distance to the city centre with restaurants and bars about 15 minutes walk from here. Inverness is a small city and you can walk to many attractions from here. You can take a lovely walk along the riverside, passed the Bught Park and through the beautiful Ness Islands. Eden Court Theatre, our Highland art centre, is less than 10 minutes walk and Inverness Botanic Gardens are also nearby.

Customer Service

Local recommendations can make a real difference to how much you enjoy your trip to Inverness. So let me help you make the most of your stay here. I’ve run Bannerman Bed and Breakfast for 15 years so I’ve built up a knowledge of the area. I can help with restaurant reservations and give ideas on days out. I’m here to make sure your stay goes smoothly, so if anything is amiss let me know.

Read more on my recommended eating places in Inverness.

Make a booking

So now you know why you should stay at Bannerman Bed and Breakfast. You can find out our availability by calling 01463 259199 or emailing alison@bannermanbandb.co.uk or check online. I look forward to welcoming you here.

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