Inverness Entertainment
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Entertainment In Inverness
Bars and Clubs
Inverness may not have succeeded in becoming a European city of culture, but it is sloughing off the Victorian city atmosphere and becoming a thriving, almost joint jumping city thanks to an influx of younger professionals, Scottish executive civil servants and returnees - all seeking a better standard of life.
At 108 Academy St is the Phoenix, one of the best pubs in Inverness and always lively.
Next door is an Irish theme pub, Lafferty's, which features Scottish/Celtic live music on Fri and Sat.
Across the street is Blackfriars, which is another good pub.
Gellions, on Bridge St, has varied live music throughout the week; and Johnny Foxes, at 26 Bank St, features Irish folk music every night in summer as well as boasting one of the most unusual pub menus around.
Chilli Palmers, on the corner of Queensgate and Church St, is a trendy new bar offering decent food and a DJ at weekends, and you can enjoy a Jazz Lunch on Sun at No 27, on Castle St.
Theatre and Cinema
Eden Court Theatre is on Bishops Rd, overlooking the River Ness. It offers a varied programme of theatre, dance and all kinds of music. There's also a bar and self-service restaurant with good food and views over the river. The attached cinema shows a programme of art-house and newly released movies, for information: Tel. 234234. Prices vary depending on the performance. The 7-screen Warner Village is on the A96 Nairn Rd, about 2 miles from the town centre.
Festivals
There are numerous events held in and around Inverness throughout the year. These range from a humble pub ceilidh to a full-blown Highland Games. For details contact the Tourist Information Centre or visit their website. The best of the local folk festivals are held over the Easter weekend (Tel. 01738-623274), and the excellent Highland Festival takes place over 3 days at the end of Jun (Tel. 711112, www.highlandfestival.demon.co.uk). There's also a festival of folk music in Jul and Aug at Balnain House.
Sports
10-pin bowling at Roller Bowl, 167 Culduthel Rd, Tel. 235100. Open Mon-Fri 1200 till late, Sat-Sun 1100 till late. The best golf course in the area is at Nairn. There's an 18-hole municipal course at Torvean, 2 miles from town on the A82 to Fort William, Tel. 711434. The Highland Riding Centre is at Borlum Farm, Drumnadrochit, Tel./Fax. 01456-450358. The Aquadome Leisure Centre is at Bught Park, Tel. 667500. Open Mon-Fri 0730-2200, Sat-Sun 0730-2100. Competition-sized pool, flumes, wave machine and kiddies' pool, also health suites, gym and other indoor sports facilities. The Inverness Tennis and Squash Club is at Bishop's Rd, Tel. 230751.
Shopping
Inverness is a good place to buy a kilt, or practically anything else in tartan. To find your own clan tartan, head for the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre. Other places which sell highland dress and traditional gifts are Chisholm's Highland Dress, 47-51 Castle St, Tel. 234599, open 0900-1730 and 1900-2130 in Jul and Aug; and Hector Russell, 4-9 Huntly St, Tel. 222781. At James Pringle Weavers (Holm Mills, Dores Rd, Tel. 223311), you can see tartan rugs being made in the weaving mill, then spend your cash in their extensive mill shop, and eat in the restaurant.
The Eastgate Shopping Centre houses all the usual high street branches, and the Victorian Market on Church St has a wide range of shops. The largest bookshop in town is James Thin, 29 Union St, Tel. 233500, which has an excellent range of Scottish books and maps. There's also a branch of Waterstone's, at 50-52 High St, Tel. 717474.