Culloden Battlefied lies on the outskirts of Inverness, scene of Bonny Prince Charlie's final defeat in 1746
Clava Cairns
close to Culloden battlefield leaving the carpark turn right and right again at the next intersection, follow the signs. The Clava Cairns is a Bronze Age burial site. No admission charge. Site in care of Historic Scotland and accessible all year.InvernessTours.com
(http://invernesstour.com) is run by Tony Harmsworth who founded the Loch Ness Centre and has scripted and presented history and heritage exhibitions in the Highlands. You charter the six passenger luxury Mercedes exclusively from £75 and choose one of dozens of itineraries published on his website.Loch Ness
is approximately 6 miles from Inverness. Jacobite (http://www.jacobite.co.uk/) have buses travelling to Loch Ness from Inverness to link up with their cruise boats. Cruises may be joined at Tomnahurich, at the southern edge of the city. For the first 3/4 miles, these sail down the famous and scenic Caledonian Canal and then down Loch Ness itself. Alternatively you may board at Drumnadrochit for the return sail, having visited nearby Urquhart Castle (http://www.historic-scotl...) and the Loch Ness Visitor Centre (http://www.lochness-centre.com) which carries the story of Nessie (http://www.nessie.co.uk/)]. For information with a more scientific slant see The Loch Ness Information Site (http://www.loch-ness.org).
mountain resorts
There are two mountain resorts within easy reach of Inverness. Both started life as ski facilities but now cater for a wide range of year-round activities and have mountain-top restaurants and shops.
Cairngorm Mountain
(http://www.cairngormmount...) - is approx. 30 miles away near Aviemore and has Scotland's only funicular railway.If you have a car you can also easily reach the Nevis Range (http://www.nevisrange.co....) in Fort William, some 63 miles away along the winding A82. At Nevis Range the mountain which is called Aonach Mor and is 'next door' to Ben Nevis is ascended by a cable-car gondola system.