History of Inverness

Inverness has a long and colourful history as the capital of the Highlands. Its strategic location as a seaport and riverside town at the north end of Great Glen has made it a desirable piece of real estate since it was first settled in ancient times. Trade has always been the lifeblood of this Scottish outpost and has supported the town through nearly 2000 years of existence. Today, this small city at the mouth of the River Ness is finding that tourism offers the best opportunity for commerce in the 21st century.

A colourful history

As early as the 6th century, St Columbia is said to have visited the Pictish king Brude at his castle in Inverness, when means mouth of the River Ness. So its likely that the town was established long before that. A number of colourful characters have made their mark on history here over the centuries. Most famously, perhaps, was Shakespeares Macbeth, who supposedly murdered King Duncan at his castle, thus providing the playwright with the inspiration for one of his most renowned works.

The making of a city

In the late 12th century, King William gave Inverness four charters, which effectively endowed the towns citizens with certain rights. This sparked the birth of Inverness as a proper city whose local economy revolved around the fishing and shipbuilding industries. During the Middle Ages, Inverness was well known as a busy little port town that exported wool, fur and hides. King David built a stone castle, adding to the permanence of the town, and a bridge was erected over the River Ness.

Trouble in the land

The Middle Ages were also known as a troubled period for Scotland, as violence and lawlessness de-stabilised the country. Inverness was caught in the thick of it, as various lords, abbots and clan chieftains fought each other. The town suffered more than anyone, occasionally burned and often raided by warring factions. But Inverness recovered each time and continued to prosper as a busy port and market town.

Better times

The 16th and 17th centuries were much kinder to the city. The Golden Charter was granted to Inverness in 1591, increasing trade. During the English occupation of Scotland between 1652 and 1657, Cromwells men built a citadel in the city, but today only the clock tower remains. As Inverness continued to prosper, new buildings were built and more cultural institutions were established, adding an element of sophistication to this backwater trading town. By the end of the 18th century, Inverness was the largest town in the Highlands and recognised all over Britain for its theatre, Assembly Rooms and polite society. Its winter season became quite an attraction, as balls, concerts and plays helped divert the local gentry and wealthy merchants from the dark, dismal winter months.

Finding the future

Just as in centuries past, Inverness continues to be a busy port town powered by industry and trade. In the 20th century, the city focused on distilling whisky, shipbuilding, and making tweed. As the capital of the Highlands, Inverness has always attracted rural people who move to the city for its cosmopolitan sophistication and cultural diversions. Even today, although the town remains small and relatively uneventful, it is the main hub for the Scottish Highlands. Tourism has slowly begun to supplement its traditional industries as more and more people from around the world rediscover the mysterious Highlands. Inverness is the ideal base for a visit to northern Scotland. The city is pleasantly compact and offers plenty of amenities to keep visitors entertained.