Inverness named as one of Europe's must visit destinations for 2022
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Inverness and the surrounding area has been named as one of the top 16 European city break destination by a world renowned travel site.
Newly elected Inverness city leader Councillor Ian Brown welcomed the news that the Highland capital is rubbing shoulders with some of the Continents most famous and not so famous names.
Time Out has just published the list for 2022 which is topped by Arles in France and also includes the Norwegian capital Oslo, the Spanish hotspot Valencia, and fashionable Milan.
Time Out consulted its local experts in major cities across Europe to nominate the places they thought people should be visiting this year.
The list includes places with big new cultural openings, huge festivals returning after years away and others which have undergone amazing green transformations over the past year.
Councillor Brown pointed out that Inverness is not just a great city break but also the ideal gateway to the rest of Highland which boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the world.
He said: “Inverness is already a top city break destination and offers visitors something unique.
“Not only are the Highlands and its residents welcoming and friendly, but the region also hosts numerous top visitor attractions with the likes of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Eden Court and our latest public artwork, The Gathering Place, which has already proved popular with tourists.
“But Inverness is just the gateway to a much wider Highland experience.
"We are fortunate enough to enjoy some of the most majestic scenery on the planet and we would encourage people planning a visit to Inverness to also venture further afield and enjoy everything Highland has to offer.”
Councillor Brown added: “We have stunning mountains throughout the region, beautiful lochs, a diverse range of wildlife and some of the most picturesque areas in the world.
“Visitors who have been denied an opportunity to visit Highland due to the pandemic can now set their sights on a trip to Highland to see the many sights we have to offer.”
Time Out pointed specifically to Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Eden Court Theatre and the city’s latest public artwork, The Gathering Place, created by artists sans façon and KHBT.
The website highlights the latest addition to the city, The Gathering Place on the banks of the River Ness, which it says “features a curved, Clasach-stone pier which offers a place for quiet contemplation.”
The site also suggests that a visit in July would allow visitors to enjoy the return of the 'mighty, family-friendly Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival'.
Outside Inverness tourists can also visit the stunning Cairngorms National Park, take a road trip on the world famous NC500 route which takes in the beauty of Wester Ross, experience the magic of the Isle of Skye, the majesty of Ben Nevis and Glencoe and the bird life in the Flow Country in Caithness and Sutherland which is currently attempting to gain UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Time Out’s Top 16 City Breaks in Europe page can be found here
