Other things to experience in Inverness…
Watching wild dolphins
The landscape around Inverness is extraordinary, helped in no small part by its close proximity to the sea. One of the things we’ve learned during our extensive travels is to talk to the hotel staff who live locally. Fortunately, the bar manager, Mark and Christina at the reception desk knew the best places the locals go.
The best opportunity to see the dolphins is at Cromarty lighthouse (postcode: IV11 8YE). We decided to park on the seafront next to the golf course. There is a lovely beachside, mile-long path leading to the lighthouse along which you’ll see a wide range of wildflowers, insects and birdlife, all whilst listing to the waves breaking on the shore.
We thoroughly enjoyed the walk, and as soon as we reached the lighthouse, we were stunned to see our first wild dolphin! And, it wasn’t just the one dolphin we saw; it was a few families, mothers and their young. It was incredible being close enough not to need binoculars. However, we advise bringing them with you for the best viewing experience.
Another thing that surprised us was their size. We’d had it in our heads that they were quite small, but these dolphins could clearly be seen 50 to 100 yards from the beach.
One more tick on the bucket list and one more to go…
Highland Cattle or ‘Hairy Coos’ as they are known locally
From Cromarty, we headed to Nairn (postcode: IV12 4RX), about 17 miles outside Inverness. Behind one of the local hotels is a forested field, and in it were three ‘Hairy Coos’. It was a hot day, and the cattle were content to sit in the shade, ignoring everything around them. As Natasha and I were the only people there, curiosity got the better of one of them.
We’ve always believed that animals can sense more than science can show us, and after a few minutes, a cow came over, resulting in a once-in-a-lifetime moment (see below). It wasn’t just the one curious Highland cow; soon after, another one approached. It looked us up and down from about 10 feet away before deciding, ‘no, it’s not worth the effort!’
It was incredible to get that close to nature and to tick off things on our bucket list. And the fact that it was all around 30 minutes drive from the Ness Walk hotel was mind-blowing. Inverness has so much to offer visitors. I’d go as far as saying that the locals are thoroughly spoiled, and they probably don’t even realise it!
Summary
The Ness Walk Hotel is perfect for a short luxury break or an ideal venue for a wedding reception or business conference. The furnishings are all of high-quality, the food is of an excellent standard, and the staff are absolutely first class.
The Ness Walk Hotel is a great addition to what is an extraordinary city. If you need some luxury accommodation to complement your visit to this stunningly beautiful part of the United Kingdom, you need look no further than the Ness Walk Hotel.
Ness Walk Hotel – Where and How?
Ness Walk Hotel is located at 12 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5SQ, United Kingdom. For more information or to make a reservation, call 01463 215215. For the latest offers, visit www.nesswalk.com.