View source for Inverness

{{Short description|City in the Highlands of Scotland}}
{{About|the city in Scotland}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name           = Inverness
| gaelic_name             = Inbhir Nis
| scots_name              = Innerness
| type                    = [[Cities of Scotland|City]] and [[administrative centre]]
| country                 = Scotland
| static_image_name       = {{multiple image |border = infobox |total_width = 280 |image_style = border:1; |perrow = 1/2/2
 | image1      = 2009-07-16 Inverness, Scotland.jpg
 | caption1    = Inverness skyline and the [[River Ness]]
 | image2      = Inverness Castle and River Ness Inverness Scotland - conner395.jpg
 | caption2    = [[Inverness Castle]]
 | image3      = Inverness Public Library - geograph.org.uk - 3421847.jpg
 | caption3    = Public Library
 | image4      = The Tollbooth Steeple (27411318711).jpg
 | caption4    = [[Inverness Town Steeple]]
 | image5      = Kessock Bridge - looking from North Kessock to Inverness - Scotland.jpg
 | caption5    = [[Kessock Bridge]]
 }}
| static_image_2_name     = <!-- e.g. coat of arms -->
| static_image_2_width    = 
| static_image_2_alt      = <!-- for a description of the image per [[WP:ALT]] -->
| static_image_2_caption  = 
| area_total_km2          = 24.3
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="citypopulation_inverness_locality_area">{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/cities/scotland/?cityid=8756|title=Thomas Brinkhoff: City Population, United Kingdom: Major Cities in Scotland |access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="citypopulation_inverness_settlement_area">{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/cities/scotlandua/?cityid=8756|title=City Population, United Kingdom: Urban Areas in Scotland |access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref>
| population              = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Inverness}}
| population_ref          = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="population source">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| population_demonym      = Invernesian
| os_grid_reference       = 
| coordinates             = {{Coord|57.4778 |N|4.2247|W|type:city_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| post_town               = INVERNESS
| postcode_area           = IV
| postcode_district       = IV1–3
| dial_code               = 01463
| community_scotland      = <!-- (use link, e.g. [[Old Aberdeen]]) -->
| unitary_scotland        = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
| lieutenancy_scotland    = [[Inverness-shire]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Inverness and Nairn (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Inverness and Nairn]]
| language                = [[Scottish English|English]],
| language1               = [[Scots language|Scots]],
| language2               = [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]]
}}
'''Inverness''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Inverness.ogg|ˌ|ɪ|n|v|ər|ˈ|n|ɛ|s|}}; {{langx|sco|Innerness}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scots-online.org/mobile/dictionary/read_dictionary.php?letter=I&CurPage=7|title=Scots Online Dictionary|access-date=17 October 2022}}</ref> from the {{langx|gd|Inbhir Nis}} {{IPA|gd|iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ|}}, meaning "Mouth of the [[River Ness]]") is a city in the [[Scottish Highlands]], having been granted city status in 2000.<ref>[https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usscotfax/geography/citystatus.html Undiscovered Scotland: City Status in Scotland]</ref> It is the administrative centre for [[The Highland Council]]<ref>[http://www.highland.gov.uk/contactus.htm The Highland Council website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720065159/http://www.highland.gov.uk/contactus.htm |date=20 July 2007 }}. Retrieved 6 March 2006.</ref> and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands.

Historically it served as the [[county town]] of the [[Counties of Scotland|county]] of [[Inverness-shire]]. Inverness lies near two important battle sites: the [[11th century|11th-century]] battle of [[Blar Nam Feinne|Blàr nam Fèinne]] against [[Norway]] which took place on [[the Aird]], and the 18th century [[Battle of Culloden]] which took place on [[Culloden, Highland#Battlefield of Culloden|Culloden Moor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inverness-scotland.com/in-and-around-2-inverness.asp |title=Inverness city |publisher=Inverness-scotland.com |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704121246/http://www.inverness-scotland.com/in-and-around-2-inverness.asp |archive-date=4 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom and lies within the [[Great Glen]] (Gleann Mòr) at its north-eastern extremity where the River Ness enters the [[Beauly Firth]].

With human settlement dating back to at least 5,800 BC,<ref>https://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore-pdf/WP00004576.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}</ref> Inverness was an established self-governing settlement by the [[6th century]] with the first Royal Charter being granted by Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim ([[David I of Scotland|King David I]]) around 1160. Inverness and Inverness-shire are closely linked to various influential clans, including Clan Mackintosh, Clan Fraser and Clan MacKenzie.<ref>{{Cite book |last=MacKenzie |first=Alexander |title=History of the Mackenzies: With Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name |publisher=A & W MacKenzie |year=1894 |location=Inverness}}</ref> Local clans unique to the city include Donnchaidh of Inshes (Robertson), MacSheorsa of Castlehill (Cuthbert), MacLean of Dochgarroch, Fraser of Leys and Kinmylies, Baillie of Dunain, Shaw of Essich, and Forbes of Culloden.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burke |first=Bernard |title=A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland: Volume II |publisher=Harrison and Sons, Pall Mall |year=1871 |location=London}}</ref>

The population of Inverness grew from 40,969 in 2001 to 46,969 in 2012, according to ''World Population Review''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/inverness-population/ |title=Inverness: Population |publisher=World Population Review}}</ref> The Greater Inverness area, including [[Culloden, Highland|Culloden]] and [[Westhill, Inverness|Westhill]], had a population of 56,969 in 2012. In 2016, it had a population of 63,320.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2016/list-of-tables |title=Mid-2016 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=23 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323162343/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2016/list-of-tables |url-status=dead }}</ref> Inverness is one of Europe's fastest growing cities,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/life-and-society/2007/03/city-inverness-poland-local |title=Inverness: the new Shangri-La? |date=26 March 2007 |publisher=Newstatesman.com |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927034335/http://www.newstatesman.com/life-and-society/2007/03/city-inverness-poland-local |archive-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> with a quarter of the Highland population living in or around it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst2064.html |title=Overview of Inverness |publisher=Scottish-places.info |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908110740/http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst2064.html |archive-date=8 September 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Inverness was ranked fifth out of 189 British cities for its [[quality of life]], the highest of any Scottish city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2008/02/03/precession103.xml&page=2 |title=Is your home recession proof? |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 February 2008 |access-date=14 July 2010 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609073149/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fproperty%2F2008%2F02%2F03%2Fprecession103.xml&page=2 |archive-date=9 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Prehistory and archaeology ==
Much of what is known about Inverness's prehistory comes from archaeological work that takes place before construction/development work as part of the planning process.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Between 2009 and 2010, archaeological work in advance of the creation of [[flood control|flood defence]]s to the south of the city at Knocknagael Farm by GUARD Archaeology discovered an [[archaeological site]] that showed humans had been living in the Inverness area from at least 6500 BC, the Late [[Mesolithic Scotland|Mesolithic]] period. That same site showed people living/working in the area from the mid-7th millennium BC into the Late Iron Age (1st  millennium  AD) with most activity taking place in the [[Neolithic British Isles|Early Neolithic]] (4th millennium BC). The archaeologists also found a piece of flint from Yorkshire that showed that people in Inverness may have been trading with Yorkshire during the Neolithic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vol 64 (2016): Relieving Floods, Revealing History: Early Prehistoric Activity at Knocknagael Farm, Inverness {{!}} Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports|url=http://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/sair/issue/view/93|access-date=2021-08-29|website=journals.socantscot.org}}</ref>

Between 1996 and 1997, CFA Archaeology (then part of the [[University of Edinburgh]]) undertook [[Archaeological excavation|excavations]] of crop marks in the west of Inverness in advance of the construction of a retail and business park. A [[Bronze Age Europe|Bronze Age]] cemetery was discovered in 1996 and in 1997 the archaeologists found the remains of a Bronze Age settlement and an [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] settlement, with an ironsmith. It is one of the earliest examples of iron smithing in Scotland. The Iron Age settlement had Roman brooches from the AD 1st–2nd centuries, indicating trade with the Roman Empire. Similarly, the Bronze Age site showed signs of metal production: finds included ceramic piece-moulds designed for the casting of Late Bronze Age leaf-shaped swords.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Vol 47 (2011): A Later Prehistoric Settlement and Metalworking Site at Seafield West, near Inverness, Highland {{!}} Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports|url=http://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/sair/issue/view/77|access-date=2021-08-20|website=journals.socantscot.org}}</ref> A {{convert|93|ozt|kg|2|abbr=off}} silver chain dating to 500–800&nbsp;CE was found just to the south of Torvean, during the excavation of the [[Caledonian Canal]], in 1809.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Torvaine, Caledonian Canal|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13495/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710205121/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13495/|archive-date=10 July 2012|access-date=17 April 2009|website=CANMORE|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland}}. Silver chain was found at {{gbmapping|NH65424346}} when digging the Caledonian Canal in 1809.</ref>

==History==
[[File:View of Inverness.jpg|thumb|right|Inverness at the end of the 17th century]]

=== Picts ===
Inverness was one of the chief strongholds of the [[Picts]]. In AD 569, it was visited by [[St Columba]] with the intention of converting the [[Picts|Pictish]] king [[Bridei I of the Picts|Brude]], who is supposed to have resided in the [[vitrified fort]] on [[Craig Phadrig]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/nescotland/213042 |title=''Craig Phadrig, Inverness'', Walk in Scotland, Visitscotland |publisher=Walking.visitscotland.com |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810133037/http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/nescotland/213042 |archive-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> on the western edge of the city.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Inverness|volume=14|pages=718–719}}</ref> A church or a monk's cell is thought to have been established by early Celtic monks on St Michael's Mount, a mound close to the river, now the site of the [[Old High St Stephen's, Inverness|Old High Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchesinverness.com/Old-High-Church-g.asp |title=Inverness churches |publisher=Churchesinverness.com |access-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629140228/http://www.churchesinverness.com/Old-High-Church-g.asp |archive-date=29 June 2010 }}</ref> and graveyard.

=== Medieval ===
The first royal charter was granted by Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim ([[David I of Scotland|King David I]]) in the 12th century. The Gaelic king Mac Bethad Mac Findláich ([[Macbeth of Scotland|MacBeth]]) whose 11th-century killing of [[Duncan I of Scotland|King Duncan]] was immortalised in [[Shakespeare]]'s largely fictionalised play ''[[Macbeth]]'', held a castle within the city where he ruled as [[Mormaer of Moray|Mormaer of Moray and Ross]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Destinations :: City Guides :: Inverness|work=Loganair |url=http://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/city-guides/inverness|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716011955/http://www.loganair.co.uk/destinations/city-guides/inverness|archive-date=16 July 2012|access-date=30 October 2012}}</ref>

[[Inverness Castle]] is said to have been built by [[Máel Coluim III of Scotland|Máel Coluim III (Malcolm III) of Scotland]], after he had razed to the ground the castle in which Mac Bethad mac Findláich had, according to much later tradition, murdered Máel Coluim's father [[Donnchad I of Scotland|Donnchad (Duncan I)]], and which stood on a hill around 1&nbsp;km to the north-east.<ref name="EB1911"/>

The strategic location of Inverness has led to many conflicts in the area. Reputedly there was a battle in the early 11th century between Malcolm III and [[Thorfinn the Mighty]] at Blar Nam Feinne, to the southwest of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|website=CANMORE|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/12728/|title=Blar Nam Feinne|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712085122/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/12728/|archive-date=12 July 2012|url-status=live}}. Blar Nam Feinne is on Cnoc na Moine ({{gbmapping|NH595433}}).</ref>

Inverness had four traditional fairs, including Legavrik or "Leth-Gheamhradh", meaning midwinter, and Faoilleach. [[William I of Scotland|William the Lion]] (d. 1214) granted Inverness four charters, by one of which it was created a [[royal burgh]]. Of the Dominican friary founded by [[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]] in 1233, only one pillar and a worn knight's effigy survive in a secluded graveyard near the town centre.<ref name="EB1911"/>

[[File:Inverness from A Tour in Scotland.jpg|thumb|Engraving of Inverness from ''A Tour in Scotland'' by [[Thomas Pennant]], 1771]]

Medieval Inverness suffered regular raids from the Hebrides, particularly by the MacDonald [[Lords of the Isles]] in the 15th century. In 1187, one Dòmhnall Bàn (Donald Ban) led islanders in a battle at Torvean against men from Inverness Castle led by the governor's son, Donnchadh Mac an Tòisich (Duncan Mackintosh).<ref>{{Cite web|website=CANMORE|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13540/|title=Torvaine, Torbane|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715070241/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13540/|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live}}. RCAHMS locate the battle of Torvean at {{gbmapping|NH65414346}}</ref> Both leaders were killed in the battle, and Dòmhnall Bàn is said to have been buried in a large [[cairn]] near the river, close to where the silver chain was found.<ref>{{Cite web|website=CANMORE|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13538/|title=Torvaine|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707110031/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13538/|archive-date=7 July 2012|url-status=live}}. The cairn at {{gbmapping|NH65424346}} disappeared in the 19th or 20th centuries, it has also been claimed to mark the resting place of St Bean(''Beóán'') the [[Culdee]].</ref> Local tradition says that the citizens fought off the [[Clan Donald]] in 1340 at the Battle of Blairnacoi on Drumderfit Hill, north of Inverness across the [[Beauly Firth]].<ref name="RCAHMS">{{Cite web|website=CANMORE|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13574/|title=Battle of Blairnacoi, Drumderfit Hill|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224014537/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13574/|archive-date=24 December 2012|url-status=live}} {{gbmapping|NH656521}}</ref> In the late 14th-early 15 century, Inverness was a symbol of the Duke of Albany's power. On his way to the [[Battle of Harlaw]] in 1411, [[Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles|Donald of Islay]] took the town and burned the bridge over the River Ness. Sixteen years later, [[James I of Scotland|James I]] held a parliament in the castle to which the northern chieftains were summoned, of whom three were arrested for defying the king's command. [[Clan Munro]] defeated [[Clan Mackintosh]] in 1454 at the [[Battle of Clachnaharry]] just west of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|website=CANMORE|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13458/|title=Site Record for Clachnaharry, Clan Battle Monument, Clachnaharry Memorial|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|access-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707035804/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13458/|archive-date=7 July 2012|url-status=live}}. Battle of Clachnaharry took place at {{gbmapping|NH6454946448}}.</ref> [[Clan Donald]] and their allies stormed the castle during the [[Raid on Ross]] in 1491.

=== Post-medieval ===
In 1562, during the progress undertaken to suppress Huntly's insurrection, [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], was denied admittance into [[Inverness Castle]] by the governor, who belonged to the earl's faction, and whom she afterwards caused to be hanged.<ref name="EB1911"/> The [[Clan Munro]] and [[Clan Fraser of Lovat]] took the castle for her.<ref>[[George Buchanan]]'s (1506–1582), History of Scotland, completed in 1579, first published in 1582.</ref> The house in which she lived meanwhile stood in Bridge Street until the 1970s, when it was demolished to make way for the second Bridge Street development.

Beyond the then northern limits of the town, [[Oliver Cromwell]] built a citadel capable of accommodating 1,000 men, but with the exception of a portion of the ramparts it was demolished at the [[English Restoration|Restoration]].<ref name="EB1911"/> A clock tower today called Cromwell's Tower is located in the Citadel area of Inverness but was actually part of a former hemp cloth factory built c. 1765.<ref>Alston, David. ''Slaves and Highlanders''. Edinburgh University Press, 2021, p.223-224</ref>

Inverness played a role in the [[Jacobite rising of 1689]]. In early May, it was besieged by a contingent of [[Jacobitism|Jacobites]] led by MacDonell of Keppoch. The town was rescued by [[Viscount Dundee]], the overall Jacobite commander, when he arrived with the main Jacobite army, although he required Inverness to profess loyalty to [[King James VII]].<ref>A. M. Scott, ''Bonnie Dundee'' (1989), pp. 104-105</ref>

=== 18th century ===
In 1715, the [[Jacobitism|Jacobites]] occupied the royal fortress as a barracks. In 1727, the government built the first [[Fort George, Scotland|Fort George]] here but, in 1746, it surrendered to the Jacobites and they blew it up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inverness/inverness/ |title=Inverness on Undiscovered Scotland |publisher=Undiscoveredscotland.co.uk |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802041910/http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inverness/inverness/ |archive-date=2 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Culloden, Scotland|Culloden]] Moor lies nearby and was the site of the [[Battle of Culloden]] in 1746, which ended the [[Jacobite rising of 1745|Jacobite rising of 1745–46]].

In 1783, the year that saw the end of the [[American Revolution]] and the beginning of the [[Highland Clearances]] in [[Inverness-shire]], Coinneach MacChoinnich (1758–1837), a poet from [[Clan MacKenzie]] who was born at Castle Heather, then known as Castle Leather (''Caisteal Leothair''),<ref>Edited by Michael Newton (2015), ''Seanchaidh na Coille: Memory-Keeper of the Forest'', [[Cape Breton University]] Press. Page 517.</ref> composed the Gaelic poem ''The Lament of the North''. In the poem, MacChionnich mocks the Highland gentry for becoming [[absentee landlord]]s, [[Highland Clearances|evicting their tenants]] en masse in favour of sheep, and of "spending their wealth uselessly", in [[London]]. He accuses King [[George III]] both of [[tyranny]] and of steering the [[ship of state]] into shipwreck. MacChionnich also argues that truth is on the side of [[George Washington]] and the [[Continental Army]] and that the Scottish Gaels would do well to emigrate to the New World before the King and the landlords take every farthing they have left.<ref>Edited by Michael Newton (2015), ''Seanchaidh na Coille: Memory-Keeper of the Forest'', [[Cape Breton University]] Press. Pages 52-59.</ref>

=== Industrial Revolution, the World Wars and end of the millennium ===
In 1855, the railways first came to Inverness with the [[Inverness and Nairn Railway]], which ended up getting absorbed into the [[Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway]] by 1861. The [[Loch Gorm railway works]] was built soon after the line, in 1857, which built locomotives for the [[Highland Railway]] which formed in 1865, when the I&AJR and the I&PJR ([[Inverness and Perth Junction Railway]]) merged, connecting rural towns in the North and East, such as [[Wick, Caithness|Wick]], [[Thurso]] and [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] to the rest of the network across the United Kingdom. The [[Far North Line]] would become crucial come the start of [[World War One]], as coal trains took priority to provide fuel to the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[Home Fleet]] at [[Scapa Flow]] in the [[Orkney|Orkney Islands]]. The Loch Gorm works had become redundant prior to WWI and was delegated to a maintenance facility, [[Inverness TMD|a duty which it provides to this day]].

During World War One, the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] opened a naval base ''[[US Naval Base 18]]'' at the [[Muirtown|Muirtown Basin]] on the [[Caledonian Canal]]. It was a final stage in constructing anti-submarine mines for the [[North Sea Mine Barrage]], a 230 mile long and 25 mile wide minefield between Orkney and Norway, with USNB 18 contributing at least 70,000 mines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MHG60103 - Submarine Mine Depot - United States Naval Base 18, Inverness - Highland Historic Environment Record |url=https://her.highland.gov.uk/Monument/MHG60103 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414005358/https://her.highland.gov.uk/Monument/MHG60103 |archive-date=14 April 2025 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=her.highland.gov.uk |language=en-gb |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inverness Local History Forum {{!}} Base 18 |url=https://www.invernesshistory.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=710673 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=www.invernesshistory.co.uk}}</ref> This base was also connected to the rail network with large sidings temporarily laid over a field behind the nearby Merkinch Primary School.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=US Naval Base 18 - RAILSCOT |url=https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/U/US_Naval_Base_18/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=www.railscot.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> This yard was marshalled by a [[LB&SCR A1 class]] '''Terrier' No.38'' "[[List of LB&SCR A1 class locomotives|Millwall]]", loaned by the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]], and sold on to the [[Glen Albyn distillery]] following the conflicts end.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-08 |title=BBC - World War One At Home, Inverness, Scotland: US Naval Base 18 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0224vgk |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=BBC}}</ref> The canal was also used heavily by fishing vessels as a shortcut from East to West in order to dodge the [[Imperial German Navy]] [[U-boat]]s patrolling the North Coast.

The [[Rose Street drill hall, Inverness|Rose Street drill hall]] was completed in around 1908.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/invernessburghdi190809inv/invernessburghdi190809inv_djvu.txt |title=Inverness Burgh Directory 1908-1909|access-date=27 June 2017}} (The 1:2500, 2nd edition, Ordnance Survey Plan, published in 1904–1905, does not show the drill hall)</ref> On 7 September 1921, the first [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|UK Cabinet]] meeting to be held outside London took place in the [[Inverness Town House]], when [[David Lloyd George]], on holiday in [[Gairloch]], called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Ireland. The Inverness Formula composed at this meeting was the basis of the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst8924.html|title=Inverness Town House|publisher=The Gazetteer for Scotland|access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref>

Prior to [[World War Two]], air travel came to Inverness, in the form of the [[RAF Inverness|Longman Aerodrome]] in 1933, becoming the hub for [[Highland Airways Limited|Highland Airways]], providing connections to Orkney and Wick, however this didn't last long as Highland Airways was absorbed into [[Scottish Airways]] in 1938, with the Aerodrome being requisitioned by the [[Royal Air Force]] after the [[British declaration of war on Germany (1939)|declaration of war on Germany the following year]], forming RAF Inverness. Following the war, the airport returned to civilian use, before shutting down in 1947 over safety concerns due to its size; it moved to the former [[Inverness Airport|RAF Dalcross]], where it remains to day, with the former airfield quickly being swallowed up under an industrial estate.

Again, Inverness played its part in a global conflict as the Home Fleet returned to Scapa Flow, and coal trains took priority going North. In January 1943, the [[Luftwaffe]] charted the area however, incorrectly identified the Air Force Base as a seaplane base, saving Inverness from any Luftwaffe air raids, becoming one of only a few towns in Scotland to survive the war undamaged.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forgotten airfields europe |url=https://forgottenairfields.com/airfield-longman-904.html |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=forgottenairfields.com}}</ref> The closest Luftwaffe bombs fell was at the [[British Aluminium|British Aluminium Works]] at [[Foyers, Highland|Foyers]], approximately 11 miles south-south-east along [[Loch Ness]]. This resulted in the deaths of 52 year old fitter, Archibald MacDonald, directly and causing 69 year old furnaceman, Murdo MacLeod, a fatal heart attack, becoming the only civilian fatalities to enemy action within the Inverness area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Occurrences During WW2 from Police Files {{!}} The South Loch Ness Heritage Group |url=https://southlochnessheritage.co.uk/local-occurrences-during-ww2-from-police-files/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=southlochnessheritage.co.uk}}</ref>

Following [[Victory in Europe Day|VE Day]], Inverness's industry went into decline. The Caledonian Canal was long obsolete, and the danger to fishing vessels around the North Coast by enemy hands was no longer there. With the rise of road transport, the [[Beeching Cuts]] rolled back a lot of Inverness's railway infrastructure, with the [[Inverness roundhouse|roundhouse]] being demolished in 1962,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Inverness Shed - RAILSCOT |url=https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/I/Inverness_Shed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203013742/https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/I/Inverness_Shed/ |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=www.railscot.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Far North Line|Far North]] and the [[Kyle of Lochalsh line|Kyle of Lochalsh]] lines only being spared the chopping block due to fierce resistance by residents.

In September 1952, Inverness regained national attention, in tragic circumstances as [[Land speed record|World Land Speed record]] holder, [[John Cobb (racing driver)|John Cobb]], was killed in an attempt at the [[Water speed record|World Water Speed record]] on Loch Ness, after his craft ''[[Crusader (speedboat)|Crusader]]'', powered by a [[de Havilland Ghost]] jet engine, crashed and disintegrated while travelling at over 200&nbsp;mph.

=== 21st century ===
Inverness has experienced rapid economic growth in the 21st century; between 1998 and 2008, the city and the rest of the central Highlands showed the largest growth of average economic productivity per person in Scotland and the second-greatest growth in the United Kingdom as a whole, with an increase of 86%.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 July 2011|title=Central Highlands 'Scotland's top economic performer' |website=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-14186837 |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719140732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-scotland-scotland-business-14186837 |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> It was awarded the Nicholson Trophy (class 2 category) for the best town with between 20,000 and 50,000 inhabitants at [[Britain in Bloom]] contest in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19750729/109/0007 |title=Aberdeen wins Bloom Trophy |newspaper=[[Evening Express (Scotland)|Evening Express]] |date=29 July 1975 |access-date=18 May 2022 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2014, a survey by a property website described Inverness as the happiest place in Scotland and the second happiest in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-27502591 |title=Inverness happiest place in Scotland |access-date=21 May 2014 |website=BBC News |date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522200520/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-27502591 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was again found to be the happiest place in Scotland by a study conducted in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13576978.Inverness_is_Scotland_s_happiest_place/ |title=Inverness is Scotland's happiest place |work=The Herald |date=6 August 2015 |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008100041/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13576978.Inverness_is_Scotland_s_happiest_place/ |archive-date=8 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Earl of Inverness'' was a royal title held by [[Andrew Mountbatten Windsor]] from 1986. Following public and media pressure, he relinquished the title on 17 October 2025, along with several others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/petition-points-to-exit-for-prince-andrew-186645/ |title=Petition urges Queen to strip Prince Andrew of Earl of Inverness title |work=Inverness Courier |date=21 November 2019 |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Prince Andrew gives up all titles after discussion with King Charles |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-andrew-news-live-updates-titles-b2847581.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017183120/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-andrew-news-live-updates-titles-b2847581.html |archive-date=17 October 2025 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

==Demography==
===Toponymy===
[[File:Inverness, Capital of the Highlands (40440582462).jpg|thumb|right|Inverness is often regarded as the Capital of the Highlands.]]
 
Inverness and its immediate hinterland have a large number of originally Gaelic place names, as the area was solidly Gaelic-speaking until the late 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polfest.org/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesA-B.pdf |title=A'Chleit (Argyll), A' Chleit |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727181628/http://www.polfest.org/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesA-B.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Placename
! Original Gaelic
! English Translation
|-
| Abertarff
| Obar Thairbh
| Mouth of the Bull River
|-
| [[Aldourie]]
| Allt Dobhraig
| River of the Water
|-
| [[Allanfearn]]
| An t-Àilean Feàrna
| The Alder Meadow
|-
| Ardconnel
| Àird a' Choin Ghil
| High Place of the White Dog
|-
| Aultnaskiach
| Allt na Sgitheach
| The Hawthorn River
|-
|[[Ballifeary]]
| Baile na Faire
| The Guard's Farm
|-
| Balloan
| Baile an Lòin
| Meadow Town
|-
| [[Balloch, Highland|Balloch]]
| Baile an Locha
| Township near the loch
|-
| Balmore
| Baile Mòr
| The Big Township
|-
| [[Balnafettack]]
| Baile nam Feadag
| Farm of the Plovers
|-
| Balvonie
| Bhaile a' Mhonaidh
| Village on the hill
|-
| Balvraid
| Baile a' Bhràghaid
| Township of the Brae
|-
| [[Beauly Firth]]
| Poll an Ròid
| Bay of the Cross
|-
| [[Ben Wyvis]]
| Beinn Uais
| High or lofty mountain / Mount Terror
|-
| Bogbain
| Bog Ban
| The White Marsh
|-
| [[Bunchrew]]
| Bun Chraoibh
| Foot of the Tree
|-
| Carnarc
| Càrn Airc
| The Sea Stone
|-
| Castle Heather
| Caisteal Leathoir
| Castle on the Slope
|-
| Charleston
| Baile Theàrlaich
| Tearlach's Town
|-
| [[Clachnaharry]]
| Clach na h-Aithrigh
| Stone of Repentance
|-
| Craggie
| Cragaidh
| Rocky Place
|-
| Craig Dunain
| Creag Dùn Eun
| Rocky Bird Hill
|-
| [[Croftnacreich]]
| Croit na Chrithich
| The Aspen Hut
|-
| Crown
| Crùn
| Crown
|-
| Croy
| Chrothaigh
| Hard Place
|-
| [[Culcabock]]
| Cùil na Càbaig
| Back of the Tillage Land
|-
| Culduthel
| Cuil Daothail
| Quiet northern spot
|-
| [[Culloden, Highland|Culloden]]
| Cùil Lodair
| Nook of the Marsh
|-
| [[Dalcross Castle|Dalcross]]
| Dealgros
| Prickle Point
|-
| [[Dalneigh]]
| Dail an Eich
| Field of the Horse
|-
| Dalmagarry
| Dail Mac Gearraidh
| The Meadow of Garry's son
|-
| Dell
| Dail MhicEachainn
| MacEachen's Meadow
|-
| Diriebught
| Tìr nam Bochd
| Land of the Poor
|-
| Dochfour
| Dabhach Phùir
| Davoch of Pasture Land
|-
| [[Dochgarroch]]
| Dabhach Gairbheach
| Rough Davoch
|-
| [[Dores, Highland|Dores]]
| Dubhras
| Black Wood
|-
| Drumdevan
| Druim Dìomhain
| The Idle Ridge
|-
| Drummond
| An Druimein
| The Ridge
|-
| Drumossie
| Druim Athaisidh
| Ridge of the Great Meadow
|-
| [[Essich]]
| Easaich
| Place of the Stream
|-
| [[Inshes]]
| Na h-Innseagan
| The Meadows
|-
| Inverness
| Inbhir Nis
| Mouth of the River Ness
|-
| Kessock
| Ceasaig
| (Saint) Ceasaig
|-
| Kilmuir
| Cille Mhoire
| Mary's Church
|-
| Kilvean
| Cill Bheathain
| Church of St.Bain
|-
| Kinmylies
| Ceann a' Mhìlidh
| The Warrior's Head
|-
| Lairgmore
| Luirg Mór
| Big slope
|-
| [[Leachkin]]
| Leacainn
| Broad Hillside
|-
| [[Loch Ness]]
| Loch Nis
| Headlands Lake
|-
| [[Lochardil]]
| Loch Àrdail
| The Church Lake
|-
| Longman
| Long Mìn
| Field of the Ship / Ship Flat
|-
| [[Merkinch]]
| Marc Innis
| The Horse Meadow
|-
|[[Millburn, Inverness|Millburn]]
| Allt a'Mhuilinn
| The Mill River
|-
| Muckovie
| Mucamhaigh
| The Pig Field
|-
| [[Raigmore]]
| Rathaig Mhòir
| Big Fort
|-
| Resaurie
| Ruigh Samhraidh
| Summer Slope
|-
| [[Scaniport]]
| Sganaphort
| Ferry by the Crack
|-
| [[Scorguie]]
| Sgurr Gaoithe
| The Windy Hill
|-
| [[Slackbuie]]
| An Slag Buidhe
| The Yellow Hollow
|-
| [[Smithton, Highland|Smithton]]
| Baile a' Ghobhainn
| Smiths' Town
|-
| [[Tomatin]]
| Tom Aitinn
| Hill of the Juniper
|-
| [[Tomnahurich Cemetery|Tomnahurich]]
| Tom na h-Iubhraich
| Hill of the Yew Trees
|-
| Torvean
| Tòrr Bheathain
| MacBean's Hill
|}

Several springs which were traditionally thought to have healing qualities exist around Inverness. ''Fuaran Dearg'', which translates as the "Red Spring", is a [[chalybeate]] spring located near Dochgarroch. ''Fuaran a' Chladaich ''("The Spring on the Beach") near Bunchrew was once accessed by a causeway from the shore. Although submerged at high tide it continues to bubble and was traditionally known for treating cholera. ''Fuaran Allt an Ionnlaid'' ("Well of the Washing Burn") at Clachnaharry, where the [[Marquis of Montrose]] was allowed to drink while on his way from his capture in Sutherland to his execution in Edinburgh, was known for treating skin conditions. Also at Clachnaharry, ''Fuaran Priseag'' ("The Precious Well") was said to have been blessed by Saint Kessock and could treat weak and sore eyes, as well as expelling evil and shielding curses if a silver coin was offered. ''Tobar na h-Oige'' ("Well of the Young") is located near Culloden and was known for curing all ailments. ''Fuaran a' Chragan Bhreag'' ("Well of the Speckled Rock") is located near Craig Dundain and ''Fuaran na Capaich'' ("The Keppoch Well") is located near Culloden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesofc00macluoft|title=Reminiscences of a clachnacuddin nonagenarian|first=the Nonagenarian|last=Maclean|date=25 July 1886|publisher=Inverness, Donald Macdonald|access-date=25 July 2018|via=Internet Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306050258/http://www.archive.org/details/reminiscencesofc00macluoft|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Inverness is also home to the Munlochy [[Clootie well|Clootie Well]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/munlochy-clootie-well|title=Munlochy Clootie Well - Forestry and Land Scotland|website=forestryandland.gov.scot|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>

[[Image:Gaelic preaspiration.jpg|thumb|right|The use of [[preaspiration]] in different Scottish Gaelic dialects throughout the Highlands, from 1 (strong) to 6 (absent). Preaspiration was used in the dialect of Inverness Gaelic and is still evident in both the Gaelic and English spoken in Inverness today.]]

Although a Gaelic name itself, ''Craig Phadraig'' is alternatively known as ''Làrach an Taigh Mhóir'', or "the place of the Great house".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_page.jsp?item_id=13088 |title=Transactions of the Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club, vol. 1, p. 126 |publisher=Am Baile |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007013833/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_page.jsp?item_id=13088 |archive-date=7 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several Gaelic place names are now largely obsolete due to the feature being removed or forgotten. ''Drochaid an Easain Duibh'' ("Bridge by the Small Dark Waterfall"), referred to in the tale ''Aonghas Mòr Thom na h-Iubhraich agus na Sìthichean'' ("Great Angus of Tomnahurich and the Fairies") has not yet been located within Inverness and ''Slag nam Mèirleach'' (meaning "Robbers' hollow"), adjacent to Dores Road in Holm is no longer in use. Until the late 19th century, four mussel beds existed on the delta mouth of the River Ness: ''Scalp Phàdraig Mhòir'' ("Scalp of Great Patrick"), ''Rònach'' ("Place of the Seals"), ''Cridhe an Uisge'' ("The Water Heart") and ''Scalp nan Caorach'' ("Scalp of the Sheep")&nbsp;– these mussel beds were all removed to allow better access for fishing boats and ships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/corpus/search/document.php?documentid=1408 |title=Around Clach na Cùdainn: Some Musings on the Gaelic Place Names of Inverness – Scottish Corpus of Texts and Speech |publisher=Scottishcorpus.ac.uk |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928034043/http://www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/corpus/search/document.php?documentid=1408 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Allt Muineach'' (The Thicket River) now runs underground between Culcabock Roundabout and Millburn Roundabout. ''An Loch Gorm'' (The Turquoise Loch), a small sea loch which was situated beside Morrisons supermarket, was filled in during the 19th century and lives on only in the name of Lochgorm Warehouse. Abban Street stems from the word ''àban'', a word of local Gaelic dialect meaning a small channel of water.

Many prominent points around Inverness retain fully Gaelic names.

* Beinn Bhuidhe Bheag – "Little Yellow Hill"
* Beinn Uan – "Lamb Hill"
* Cnoc na Mòine – "The Peat Hill"
* Cnoc na Gaoithe – "The Hill of the Wind"
* Cnoc an t-Seòmair – "The Hill of the Room"
* Creag Liath – "Grey Crag"
* Creag nan Sidhean – "The Crag of the Fairies"
* Doire Mhòr – "Great Oakwood"
* Carn a' Bhodaich – "The Old Man's Cairn"
* Meall Mòr – "Great Hill"
{{Clear}}

In the colonial period, a Gaelic-speaking settlement named [[Darien, Georgia|New Inverness]] was established in [[McIntosh County, Georgia]], by settlers from in and around Inverness. The name was also given by expatriates to settlements in [[Inverness, Quebec|Quebec]], [[Inverness, Nova Scotia|Nova Scotia]], [[Inverness, Montana|Montana]], [[Inverness, Florida|Florida]], [[Inverness, Illinois|Illinois]], and [[Inverness, California|California]]. The name Inverness is also given to a feature on [[Miranda (moon)|Miranda]], a moon of the planet Uranus, as well as a 2637&nbsp;m tall mountain in [[British Columbia]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kootenayseh.com/revelstoke-bc/parks/mt-revelstoke-park.htm |title=Mount Revelstoke National Park : Revelstoke, BC, Canada |publisher=Kootenayseh.com |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626025853/http://www.kootenayseh.com/revelstoke-bc/parks/mt-revelstoke-park.htm |archive-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Inverness is also known by its nicknames ''Inversnecky'' or ''The Sneck'', with its inhabitants traditionally known as ''Clann Na Cloiche'' ("Children of the Stone" in Gaelic) owing to the importance of the Clach Na Cudainn stone in the city's history. This large flat stone is now located outside the town hall, by the historic Mercat Cross. The stone was originally at the river Ness, where the towns women took their laundry. They would  rest their tubs on the stone, thus it became known as the stone of the tubs - 'clach na cudainn'.

===Population===

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Year
! Greater Inverness
! Inverness
|-
|2021
|65,210<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inverness (Agglomeration, Agglomerations, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/agglo/S20000479A__inverness/|access-date=2023-05-19|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
|47,820<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inverness (Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/scotland/highland/S19000952__inverness/|access-date=2023-05-19|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|64,350<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inverness (Agglomeration, Agglomerations, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/agglo/S20000479A__inverness/|access-date=2020-08-25|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
|47,380<ref name="citypopulation.de">{{Cite web|title=Inverness (Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/scotland/highland/S19000952__inverness/|access-date=2020-08-25|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
|- 
| 2016 
|63,220<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2016/list-of-tables|title=Mid-2016 List of Tables|website= National Records of Scotland|date=31 May 2013|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323162343/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2016/list-of-tables|archive-date=23 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|47,290<ref name="citypopulation.de"/>
|-
| 2012
| 59,910<ref name="auto"/>
| 46,870<ref name="auto"/>
|-
| 2010
| 57,960<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2010/list-of-tables |title=Mid-2010 Population Estimates - Settlements in alphabetical order |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119112433/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2010/list-of-tables |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 45,050<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2010/list-of-tables |title=Mid-2010 Population Estimates - Localities in alphabetical order |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119112433/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2010/list-of-tables |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2008
| 56,660<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2008 |title=Mid-2008 Population Estimates - Settlements in alphabetical order |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119112928/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2008 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 44,220<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2008
 |title=Mid-2008 Population Estimates - Localities in alphabetical order
 |date=31 May 2013
 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS)
 |access-date=29 October 2015
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119112928/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2008
 |archive-date=19 November 2015
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>
|-
| 2006
| 54,070<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2006 |title=Mid-2006 Population Estimates for Settlements in Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119114315/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2006 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 42,400<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2006-localities |title=Mid-2006 Population Estimates for Localities in Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119115226/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2006-localities |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2004
| 52,530<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2004 |title=Mid-2004 Population Estimates for Settlements in Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326055422/http://nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2004 |archive-date=26 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 40,880<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2004-localities
 |title=Mid-2004 Population Estimates for Localities in Scotland
 |date=31 May 2013
 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS)
 |access-date=26 June 2013
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326122132/http://nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2004-localities
 |archive-date=26 March 2015
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>
|-
| 2003
| 51,610<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2003-settlements |title=Mid-2003 Population Estimates for Settlements in Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS) |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119120431/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2003-settlements |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 40,470<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2003-localities
 |title=Mid-2003 Population Estimates for Localities in Scotland
 |date=31 May 2013
 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS)
 |access-date=29 October 2015
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119120502/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2003-localities
 |archive-date=19 November 2015
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>
|- https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210246/http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files/setloc-ks01.xls
| 2001
| 46,944<ref name="nrscotland2001">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/census/2001-census/results-and-products/reports-and-data/key-statistics-for-settlements-and-localities-scotland
 |title=Scotland's Census 2001 - KS01 Usual Resident Population
 |date=31 May 2013
 |publisher=National Records Scotland (NRS)
 |access-date=29 October 2015
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120192049/http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/census/2001-census/results-and-products/reports-and-data/key-statistics-for-settlements-and-localities-scotland
 |archive-date=20 November 2015
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>
| 40,949<ref name="nrscotland2001"/>
|-
| 1991
| 44,903<ref name="nrscotland2001"/>
| 40,918<ref name="nrscotland2001"/>
|-
| 1981
| 43,246
| 40,011
|-
| 1971
| 
| 34,839
|-
| 1961
| 
| 29,774
|-
| 1951
| 
| 28,107
|-
| 1881
| 
| 17,365
|-
| 1871
| 
| 14,469
|-
| 1861
| 
| 12,509
|-
| 1841
|
| 10,663
|-
| 1831
|
| 14,324
|-
| 1821
|
| 12,264
|-
| 1811
|
| 10,750
|-
| 1801
| 
| 8,732
|-
| 1791
| 
| 7,930
|}

The [[National Records of Scotland]] define Inverness as the urban area west of the A9. To produce a greater Inverness figure including the villages of [[Balloch, Highland|Balloch]], [[Culloden, Highland|Culloden]], [[Smithton, Highland|Smithton]], and [[Westhill, Inverness|Westhill]], it is necessary to aggregate NRS figures for each locality.<ref name="auto"/>

==Geography==
===Location===
[[Image:Inverness-pano.jpg|thumb|center|780px|Panorama of Inverness looking downstream to the Greig St Bridge with Huntly Street (left), the River Ness and Bank Street (right)]]
[[Image:Inverness Moray Firth Panorama 01.jpg|thumb|center|780px|Panorama of Inverness from the [[Black Isle]], with [[Moray Firth]] to the left and [[Kessock Bridge]] in the centre]]

Inverness is situated at the mouth of the [[River Ness]] (which flows from nearby [[Loch Ness]]) and at the south-western extremity of the [[Moray Firth]]. The city lies at the end of the [[Great Glen]] with Loch Ness, Loch Ashie and [[Loch Duntelchaig]] to the west. Inverness's [[Caledonian Canal]] also runs through the Great Glen, connecting Loch Ness, [[Loch Oich]] and [[Loch Lochy]].

The [[Ness Islands]], a publicly owned park, consists of two wooded islands connected by footbridges and has been used as a place of recreation since the 1840s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nessriver.co.uk/pages/nessriver/nessIslands.html |title=River Ness – Inverness – Ness Islands |publisher=nessriver.co.uk |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008061241/http://www.nessriver.co.uk/pages/nessriver/nessIslands.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> [[Craig Phadrig|Craig Phadraig]], once an ancient Gaelic and Pictish hillfort, is a {{convert|240|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://walking.visitscotland.com/perfect-walks/dunainhill-craigphadraig/ |title=Walk Scotland – Perfect Walks – Dunain Hill & Craig Phadraig |publisher=Walking.visitscotland.com |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927064955/http://walking.visitscotland.com/perfect-walks/dunainhill-craigphadraig/ |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> hill which offers hikes on a clear pathway through the wooded terrain.

Inverness lies on the [[Great Glen Fault]]. There are minor earthquakes, usually unnoticed by locals, about every three years; the last to affect<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pascalbonenfant.com/18c/geography/earthquakes.html |title=British Earthquakes from 1700 to 1849 |website=www.pascalbonenfant.com}}</ref> Inverness was in 1934.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.invernessroyal.highland.sch.uk/resources/earthquakes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040609131324/http://www.invernessroyal.highland.sch.uk/resources/earthquakes.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 June 2004 |title=Inverness Royal Academy |publisher=Invernessroyal.highland.sch.uk |date=16 August 1934 |access-date=25 August 2011}}</ref>

===Climate===
Like most of the United Kingdom, Inverness has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=95030&cityname=Inverness,+Scotland,+United+Kingdom|title=Inverness, Scotland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304004041/https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=95030&cityname=Inverness,+Scotland,+United+Kingdom|archive-date=4 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The climate here is cooler than in more southerly parts of Britain. The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|29.7|C|F}} in July 2006 and June 2018, and the lowest recorded was {{convert|-18.7|C|F}} in January 2010. Typically, the warmest day of the year rises to around {{convert|25|C|F}} and the coldest night falls to around {{convert|-11|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]] |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1809 |title=Frost Incidence |access-date=2 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602142418/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1809 |archive-date=2 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The climate in this area is characterised by relatively small differences between annual high and low temperatures, as well as adequate rainfall year-round.

{{Weather box
|location = Inverness, elevation: {{convert|13|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
| collapsed    = 
| metric first = y
| single line  = y
| Jan record high C = 11.9
| Feb record high C = 12.7
| Mar record high C = 19.4
| Apr record high C = 23.7
| May record high C = 26.6
| Jun record high C = 29.7
| Jul record high C = 29.7
| Aug record high C = 29.1
| Sep record high C = 25.8
| Oct record high C = 20.3
| Nov record high C = 15.4
| Dec record high C = 11.4
| Jan high C = 7.1
| Feb high C = 7.6
| Mar high C = 9.5
| Apr high C = 12.1
| May high C = 14.8
| Jun high C = 17.0
| Jul high C = 19.0
| Aug high C = 18.7
| Sep high C = 16.5
| Oct high C = 12.9
| Nov high C = 9.5
| Dec high C = 7.3
| year high C = 12.7
| Jan mean C = 4.2
| Feb mean C = 4.5
| Mar mean C = 5.9
| Apr mean C = 8.1
| May mean C = 10.6
| Jun mean C = 13.2
| Jul mean C = 15.1
| Aug mean C = 15.0
| Sep mean C = 12.8
| Oct mean C = 9.5
| Nov mean C = 6.5
| Dec mean C = 4.4
| year mean C = 9.2
| Jan low C = 1.3
| Feb low C = 1.4
| Mar low C = 2.4
| Apr low C = 4.1
| May low C = 6.4
| Jun low C = 9.4
| Jul low C = 11.3
| Aug low C = 11.2
| Sep low C = 9.1
| Oct low C = 6.1
| Nov low C = 3.5
| Dec low C = 1.5
| year low C = 5.7
| Jan record low C = -18.7
| Feb record low C = -17.2
| Mar record low C = -12.8
| Apr record low C = -6.3
| May record low C = -4.1
| Jun record low C = -1.2
| Jul record low C = 2.4
| Aug record low C = 1.2
| Sep record low C = 0.2
| Oct record low C = -4.5
| Nov record low C = -11.7
| Dec record low C = -16.8
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 76.2
| Feb precipitation mm = 60.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 52.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 40.6
| May precipitation mm = 56.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 61.7
| Jul precipitation mm = 62.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 64.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 62.8
| Oct precipitation mm = 78.1
| Nov precipitation mm = 66.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 72.8
| year precipitation mm = 755.0
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 13.6
| Feb precipitation days = 12.3
| Mar precipitation days = 12.5
| Apr precipitation days = 10.1
| May precipitation days = 11.4
| Jun precipitation days = 11.7
| Jul precipitation days = 11.5
| Aug precipitation days = 12.4
| Sep precipitation days = 11.7
| Oct precipitation days = 13.7
| Nov precipitation days = 13.1
| Dec precipitation days = 14.1
| year precipitation days = 147.9
| Jan sun = 40.4
| Feb sun = 74.3
| Mar sun = 110.1
| Apr sun = 143.9
| May sun = 183.6
| Jun sun = 142.8
| Jul sun = 139.2
| Aug sun = 135.8
| Sep sun = 117.2
| Oct sun = 82.5
| Nov sun = 52.2
| Dec sun = 27.7
| year sun = 1249.7
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met Averages">{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gfhyzzs9j |title= Inverness (Highland) UK climate averages |access-date=1 January 2022 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php| title=Indices Data – Inverness STAID 1809 |access-date=24 July 2020 |publisher=KNMI |archive-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010608/https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==Health==
{{Main|Raigmore Hospital}}

{{Further|Highland Clinical Research Facility}}

[[Raigmore Hospital]] is the main hospital in Inverness and the entire Highland region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Health+Services/Hospitals/Raigmore/index.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215182358/http://www2.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Health%20Services/Hospitals/Raigmore/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=NHS Scotland|archivedate=15 February 2015|website=www2.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk}}</ref> The present hospital opened in 1970, replacing wartime wards dating from 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Pages/RaigmoreHospital.aspx |title=Raigmore Hospital |publisher=Nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk |date=3 March 1999 |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529041606/http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Pages/RaigmoreHospital.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Raigmore is a teaching hospital for the universities of [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]] and [[University of Stirling|Stirling]]. A Centre for Health Science (CfHS) is located behind the hospital. This is funded by [[Highlands and Islands Enterprise]], the [[Scottish Government]] and [[Johnson & Johnson]]. Phase I of this opened in early 2007, with phase II and phase III housing The Diabetes Institute opening in 2009. The University of Stirling moved its nursing and midwifery teaching operations from Raigmore Hospital to the CfHS. The [[University of the Highlands and Islands]] also has strong links with the Centre through its Faculty of Health.

==Economy==
[[File:Entrance to Inverness harbour (low tide) - geograph.org.uk - 1143277.jpg|thumb|Entrance into Inverness [[port|harbour]] during low tide]]
[[File:Leakeys Bookshop Inverness.jpg|thumb|Leakey's Bookshop, a [[used bookstore]] located in a listed building of Inverness]]
{{main|Economy of Scotland}}

{{further|Economic history of Scotland}}

Most of the traditional industries such as [[distilling]] have been replaced by high-tech businesses, such as the design and manufacture of [[diabetes]] diagnostic kits (by [[LifeScan]]). [[Highlands and Islands Enterprise]] has principally funded the Centre for Health Science to attract more businesses in the medical and medical devices business to the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supporting Economic Development in the Highlands & Islands through Scotland's Universities|url=http://www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/CNP_Councilmeeting28June2013_28062013/SFC13_66_H_and_I_Res_Strat_Annex.pdf|website=Scottish Funding Council|access-date=6 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113659/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/CNP_Councilmeeting28June2013_28062013/SFC13_66_H_and_I_Res_Strat_Annex.pdf|archive-date=7 February 2017}}</ref> Inverness is home to [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] following that body's relocation from Edinburgh under the auspices of the [[Scottish Government]]'s decentralisation strategy. SNH provides a large number of jobs in the area.

Inverness city centre lies on the east bank of the river and is linked to the west side of the town by three road bridges: Ness Bridge, Friars Bridge and the Black (or Waterloo) Bridge &ndash; and by one of the town's suspension foot bridges, the [[Greig Street Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stockphotography.co.uk/UK/Maps/Inverness.asp |title=Inverness Town Centre Map |publisher=Stockphotography.co.uk |access-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520091742/http://www.stockphotography.co.uk/UK/Maps/Inverness.asp |archive-date=20 May 2009}}</ref>

The traditional city centre was a triangle bounded by High Street, Church Street and Academy Street, within which Union Street and Queensgate are cross streets parallel to High Street. Between Union Street and Queensgate is the [[Victorian Market]], which contains a large number of small shops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.explore-inverness.com/shops.htm |title=Inverness Shops |publisher=Explore-inverness.com |date=15 March 2010 |access-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325235025/http://www.explore-inverness.com/shops.htm |archive-date=25 March 2010}}</ref>

The main Inverness railway station lies almost directly opposite the Academy Street entrance to the market. From the 1970s, the [[Eastgate Shopping Centre (Inverness)|Eastgate Shopping Centre]] was developed to the east of High Street, with a substantial extension being completed in 2003.

==Education==
[[File:University of the Highlands and Islands - Inverness College - geograph.org.uk - 5996623.jpg|thumb|left|UHI Inverness, a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands]]

The city has a number of different education providers. Inverness is catered for by about a dozen primary schools including [[Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis]] '''('''Gaelic Primary School), a specialised institution situated at [[Lochardil]]. There are five secondary schools: [[Inverness High School]], [[Inverness Royal Academy]], [[Charleston Academy]], [[Millburn Academy]] and [[Culloden Academy]].  Additionally there is [https://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/ UHI Inverness] which offers flexible learning opportunities from access level through to PhD. The city also has a new Centre for Health Sciences, adjacent to Raigmore Hospital.

[[Inverness College|UHI Inverness]] is a partner of the [https://www.uhi.ac.uk/ University of the Highlands and Islands] (UHI), an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. The university partnership is made up of 12 colleges and research institutions located across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.

In 2015, the college moved to a new location, on the [https://www.invernesscampus.co.uk/ Inverness Campus]. The original outline planning application forms a vision for the development over the next thirty years. The application includes:

* Academic buildings – up to 70,480&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
* Business and incubation units – up to 49,500&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
* Indoor sports complex – up to 9,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
* Student and other short term residences – 44,950&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
* Associated landscape, open space, outdoor recreation, infrastructure and services necessary to support the development phases
* Up to 200 residential units
* A social enterprise-run hotel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/about_inverness_campus/news_section/highland_council_approves_plans_for_inverness_campus/ |title=Welcome |publisher=Inverness Campus |access-date=25 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304123100/http://www.invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/about_inverness_campus/news_section/highland_council_approves_plans_for_inverness_campus/ |archive-date=4 March 2012  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/about_inverness_campus/news_section/inverness_college_to_locate_to_beechwood_farm/ |title=Welcome |publisher=Inverness Campus |access-date=25 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304123117/http://www.invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/about_inverness_campus/news_section/inverness_college_to_locate_to_beechwood_farm/ |archive-date=4 March 2012  }}</ref>

[[File:Art Deco Inverness High School, Montague Row, Inverness - geograph.org.uk - 884780.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Art deco]] inspired building of Inverness High School]]

The {{convert|200|acre|ha|adj=on|order=flip|sigfig=1}} campus at Beechwood, just off the A9 east of Inverness, is considered to be one of the most important developments for the region over the next 20 years. The principal of UHI, James Fraser, said: "This is a flagship development which will provide Inverness with a university campus and vibrant student life. It will have a major impact on the city and on the Highlands and Islands. UHI is a partnership of colleges and research centres throughout the region, and the development of any one partner brings strength to the whole institution."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uhi.ac.uk/home/about-uhi/publications/compass-news/ecompass/issue-6-june-2008/new-campus-plans-on-drawing-board|title=New campus plans on drawing board|publisher=UHI Millennium Institute|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921060338/http://www.uhi.ac.uk/home/about-uhi/publications/compass-news/ecompass/issue-6-june-2008/new-campus-plans-on-drawing-board|archive-date=21 September 2009}}</ref>

It is estimated that the new campus would contribute more than £50m to the economy of the Highlands because it could attract innovative commercial businesses interested in research and development, while increasing the number of students who study within the city by around 3,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/economic_benefits/ |title=Inverness Campus |publisher=Inverness Campus |date=22 June 2010 |access-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820133707/http://invernesscampus.co.uk/ee/index.php/economic_benefits/ |archive-date=20 August 2010  }}</ref>

==Transport==
===Roads===
[[Image:Kessock Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1235341.jpg|thumb|left|The Kessock Bridge carries the A9 trunk road across the Beauly Firth.]]

Inverness is linked to the [[Black Isle]] across the Moray Firth by the [[Kessock Bridge]]. Three [[trunk road]]s link Inverness with the rest of Scotland: the [[A9 road (Great Britain)|A9]] north to Thurso and Wick, and south to Perth (carrying [[European route E15|European Route E15]]) and the [[Central Belt]]; the [[A82 road|A82]] to Glasgow via Fort William; and the [[A96 road (Great Britain)|A96]] to Elgin and Aberdeen. Plans are in place to convert the A96 between Inverness and [[Nairn]] to a dual carriageway and to construct a southern bypass that would link the A9, A82 and A96 together involving crossings of the Caledonian Canal and the River Ness in the Torvean area, south-west of the town.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 March 2007|title=The Highland Council website|url=http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2007/March/2007-03-15-02.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527031330/http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2007/March/2007-03-15-02.htm|archive-date=27 May 2010|access-date=14 July 2010|publisher=Highland.gov.uk}}</ref> The bypass, known as the [[Inverness Trunk Road Link]] (TRL), is aimed at resolving Inverness's transport problems and has been split into two separate projects: the east and west sections.

In late 2008, the controversial decision by the Scottish Government not to include the full Inverness bypass in its transport plan for the next 20 years was made. The government's Strategic Transport Projects Review did include the eastern section of the route, which will see the A9 at Inshes linked to the A96. The absence of the TRL's western section, which would include a permanent crossing over the Caledonian Canal and River Ness, sparked dismay among several Highland councillors and business leaders in Inverness who feel the bypass is vital for the city's future economic growth.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 December 2008|title=The Inverness Courier|url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8355/Labour_to_quiz_Holyrood_government_on_TLR_funding.html|access-date=14 July 2010|publisher=The Inverness Courier}}{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Ultimately both sections received funding from the Inverness and Highland city-region deal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Downie|first=Stuart|title=City region deal project information|url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20014/economic_development/715/city_region_deal_project_information/9|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.highland.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Downie">{{Cite web|last=Downie|first=Stuart|title=City region deal project information|url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20014/economic_development/715/city_region_deal_project_information/8|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.highland.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref> The eastern section now also includes a commitment to upgrade the Longman Roundabout to a grade separated interchange.<ref name="Downie"/>

[[File:Eastgate Centre from Millburn Road - geograph.org.uk - 934823.jpg|thumb|right|Cars passing through Millburn Road]]

The east section will bypass Inshes Roundabout, a notorious traffic bottleneck, using a new road linking the existing Southern Distributor with the A9 and the A96, both via grade separated interchanges. This proposed new link road would separate strategic traffic from local traffic. It will also accommodate the proposed developments at Inverness Shopping Park, West Seafield Business Park, Inverness Campus and housing developments at Ashton Farm, Stratton and Culloden West.<ref name="Inverness East Development Brief">{{Cite web|title=Inverness East Development Brief|url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/712056/inverness_east_development_brief|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.highland.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref> An indicative timescale for completion of this section is the dualling of the A96 from Inverness to Nairn.<ref name="Inverness East Development Brief"/> The west section is intended to provide an alternate route connecting the A9 with the A82. This will by-pass the city centre by providing additional crossings of the River Ness and Caledonian Canal. At the west end, two options for crossing the [[River Ness]] and [[Caledonian Canal]] were developed. One involving a high level vertical opening [[bridge]] which will allow the majority of [[canal]] traffic to pass under without the need for opening. The other involved a bridge over the river and an [[Aqueduct (water supply)|aqueduct]] under the canal. Both of these designs are technically complex and were considered in detail along by the key stakeholders involved in the project.

Ultimately it was decided that a bridge would be constructed over the River Ness and a second swing bridge be constructed over the Caledonian Canal. This second swing bridge would operate in tandem with the current swing bridge enabling a constant flow of traffic. The works started on site on the 10 June 2019 and include a roundabout, realignment of General Booth Road onto the A82 and a second bridge across the Caledonian Canal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=The Inverness West Link|url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1523/transport_and_streets/128/the_inverness_west_link|access-date=2021-11-01|website=www.highland.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref> The works were programmed to be complete in December 2020. However, due to a number of construction delays the section was opened in August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mckenzie|first=Duncan|title=A final piece of Inverness's West Link swings into place today with trial opening of new Torvean Bridge|url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/13679/a_final_piece_of_inverness_s_west_link_swings_into_place_today_with_opening_of_new_torvean_bridge|access-date=2021-11-01|website=www.highland.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:The Inverness Road (the A82) - geograph.org.uk - 3399120.jpg|thumb|left|The section leading to Inverness of the A82 road, dubbed "The Inverness Road"]]

In late 2008, the Scottish Government's transport plan for the next 20 years was announced. It brings forward planned improvements to the A9 in an attempt to stimulate the economy and protect jobs. Work costing a total of £8.5 million was undertaken at [[Moy, Highland|Moy]], [[Carrbridge]] and [[Bankfoot]]. Northbound overtaking lanes were created and the carriageway was reconstructed at both Moy and Carrbridge. Junction improvements were also made at Moy. In November 2011 the Scottish Government announced that it will [[A9 dualling project|upgrade the entire road from Perth to Inverness]] to dual carriageway. Work on this project was scheduled to be completed in 2025, at a cost of £3 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transport Scotland - A9 dualling Perth to Inverness |url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/a9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114111557/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/a9|archive-date=14 November 2013|access-date=2 April 2025|website=www.transportscotland.gov.uk}}</ref> However, in 2023, this project was announced to be an impossible deadline, with a mere 11 miles having been dualled since it was announced in 2011. Subsequently, the project was extended by a further 10 years to 2035, with [[Michael Gove]] stating that the A9 had to be dualled north of Inverness to [[Nigg, Highland|Nigg]] in order to assist with the UK Government's ''[[Levelling-up policy of the British government|Levelling Up]]'' programme at the port.

In December 2011, the Scottish Government announced its intention to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Project details|url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a96-dualling-inverness-to-aberdeen/a96-east-of-huntly-to-aberdeen/project-details/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.transport.gov.scot}}</ref> The project will include upgrading the remaining 86 miles (138&nbsp;km) of single carriageway along the route to dual carriageway at a cost of £3 billion. The first section to be dualled will be the section between Inverness and [[Auldearn]]. This will include a bypass of [[Nairn]] and the construction of a number of [[Interchange (road)|grade separated interchanges]] along the route.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A96 Inverness to Nairn including Nairn Bypass|url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a96-dualling-inverness-to-aberdeen/a96-inverness-to-nairn-including-nairn-bypass/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.transport.gov.scot}}</ref>

In August 2021, the procurement process for the Tomatin to Moy section was started. Once this section is completed, there will be 20 miles (32&nbsp;km) of continuous dual carriageway south of Inverness.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Next stage of A9 Dualling procurement gets underway |url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/next-stage-of-a9-dualling-procurement-gets-underway/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.transport.gov.scot}}</ref>

=== Buses and coaches ===
[[File:Inverness Bus Station - geograph.org.uk - 467841.jpg|thumb|Inverness bus station]]

[[Inverness bus station]] is situated at Farraline Park and can be accessed from Academy Street and Margaret Street. It is managed by [[The Highland Council]] and is a short walk away from the railway station and the main shopping area. Permission was granted to demolish the existing bus station in 2000 and was then replaced in the early 2000s. Its main operators include [[Stagecoach in Inverness]] and Stagecoach in Lochaber. Buses operate around the town, to the airport and to places as far afield as [[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]], [[Ullapool]], [[Thurso]] and [[Aberdeen]]. [[Megabus (United Kingdom)|Megabus]] and [[Scottish Citylink]] operate a regular coach service to [[Edinburgh]], with connections to [[Glasgow]] at [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inverness bus and coach services |website=Bustimes.org |access-date=9 October 2025 |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/inverness}}</ref>

[[National Express Coaches]] operates an overnight service to [[Victoria Coach Station|London Victoria]] via Edinburgh, taking around 15 hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalexpress.com/en|title=Coach Travel & Airport Transfers {{!}} National Express|website=www.nationalexpress.com|access-date=2019-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014220155/https://www.nationalexpress.com/en|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Railway ===
Rail services are operated by three [[train operating companies]]:

* [[ScotRail]] services connect [[Inverness railway station]] to [[Perth railway station, Scotland|Perth]], {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}}, {{rws|Glasgow Queen Street}}, [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]], [[Thurso railway station|Thurso]], {{rws|Wick}} and {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train timetables |work=ScotRail |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=9 October 2025 |url=https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables}}</ref>

* [[Caledonian Sleeper]] operates a service six times a week to [[Euston railway station|London Euston]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=All timetables |work=Caledonian Sleeper |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=9 October 2025 |url=https://www.sleeper.scot/travel-updates/all-timetables/}}</ref>

* [[London North Eastern Railway]] operates the ''[[Highland Chieftain]]'' service to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]], via Edinburgh  Waverley, which runs daily.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our timetables |work=LNER |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=9 October 2025 |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922141135/https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Inverness Airport railway station|Inverness Airport station]] was opened in 2023; services connect to Inverness and Aberdeen.

===Port of Inverness===
The [[Port of Inverness]] is located at the mouth of the River Ness. It has four quays and receives over 300 vessels a year.

===Air===
[[File:Inverness airport (41461531092).jpg|thumb|right|Inverness Airport]]

[[Inverness Airport]]<ref>Ordnance Survey grid reference for Inverness Airport (access from [[A96 road (Great Britain)|A96 road]]): {{gbmappingsmall|NH776508}}.</ref> is located {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-east of the city and has scheduled flights to airports across the UK including London, [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]], [[George Best Belfast City Airport|Belfast]] and the islands to the north and west of Scotland, as well as a number of flights to Europe. 

[[Loganair]] operates routes to [[Benbecula Airport|Benbecula]], [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]], [[Kirkwall Airport|Kirkwall]], [[Stornoway Airport|Stornoway]], and [[Sumburgh Airport|Sumburgh]]. [[EasyJet]] operates to [[Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]] three times per day, [[Luton Airport|Luton]] twice a day and [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]. [[British Airways]] operates a daily service to [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] and [[KLM]] operates a daily service to [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]].

==Government==
{{See also|Politics of the Highland council area|List of provosts of Inverness}}
[[File:Inverness - Highland Council Headquarters (geograph 5000272).jpg|thumb|right|Inverness is the [[administrative centre]] for the Highland Council.]]

There are two tiers of local government covering Inverness. Most functions are provided by the [[Highland Council]], which is based in the city. There is also a lower tier of [[List of community council areas in Scotland|community councils]], with the urban area of Inverness straddling several communities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Community Councils |url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/772/politicians_elections_and_democracy/364/community_councils |website=The Highland Council |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
From when it was made a [[royal burgh]] in the 12th century, Inverness was governed by the town council of the burgh until 1975. It was also the seat of the [[Sheriff of Inverness]], who had responsibility for administering justice across [[Inverness-shire]]. When elected county councils were introduced in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], Inverness was considered large enough for its existing town council to provide county-level local government functions, and so it was excluded from the administrative area of Inverness-shire County Council.<ref>{{cite book |title=Guide to local government in parishes, counties and burghs |date=1892 |publisher=Royal College of Physicians |location=Edinburgh |pages=xxiii–xxx |url=https://archive.org/details/b21905678/page/n29/mode/2up |access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The County Council Magazine |date=1890 |publisher=F. Warne and Company |location=London |page=284 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nfAZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA284 |access-date=31 December 2021 |chapter=Preparing for the elections in Scotland}}</ref>

Inverness was subsequently brought within the administrative area of the county council in 1930, but classed as a [[large burgh]], allowing the town council to continue to provide most local government services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inverness Burgh |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10360109 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Inverness Town House (33621804338).jpg|thumb|left|Inverness Town House, High Street, opened 1882]]

The burgh of Inverness was abolished in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which abolished Scotland's counties, burghs and [[landward district]]s and replaced them with a two-tier system of [[Local government areas of Scotland (1975–1996)|regions and districts]]. Inverness therefore became part of the larger [[Inverness (Scottish district)|Inverness district]], which was one of eight districts within the [[Highland (council area)|Highland region]]. The Inverness district covered the area of the former burgh plus an extensive rural area around the city, being the area of the two former landward districts of Inverness (covering the rural area generally east of [[Loch Ness]] and Inverness itself) and [[The Aird|Aird]] (covering the area generally west of Inverness and Loch Ness.<ref name=1973act>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland, Sheet 4, 1969 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/222075461 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> The District Council was based at [[Inverness Town House]] on the High Street in the centre of Inverness, which had been completed in 1882 for the old Town Council.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB35260|desc= High Street, Town House |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23945|page=516|date=1 March 1996|city=e}}</ref>

The districts and regions created in 1975 were abolished in 1996, under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]] and replaced with single-tier [[Council areas of Scotland|council areas]]. The Highland region became one of the new council areas.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

The Highland Council has a number of [[area committee]]s for debating local matters. One of the committees is called the City of Inverness Area Committee, comprising the councillors who represent the wards which broadly correspond to the pre-1996 Inverness District.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Inverness Area Committee |url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20003/committee_information/490/city_of_inverness_area_committee_cia |website=The Highland Council |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref> The area committee choses one of its members to take the title of [[Provost of Inverness]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Provost and Leader amongst key roles selected for City of Inverness |url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/14606/provost_and_leader_amongst_key_roles_selected_for_city_of_inverness |website=The Highland Council |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=8 June 2022}}</ref>

===City status===
In 2001, [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] was granted to the ''Town of Inverness'', and [[letters patent]] were taken into the possession of the Highland Council by the convener of the Inverness area committee.<ref>[http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/release.php?id=2974 ''Helen Liddell joins Inverness celebrations as Scotland's Millennium City'', Scotland Office press release 19 March 2001] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928041004/http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/release.php?id=2974 |date=28 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1076125.stm Inverness awarded city status] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031214030053/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1076125.stm |date=14 December 2003 }}, BBC News, 18 December 2000.</ref>

These letters patent, which were sealed in March 2001 and are held by [[Inverness Museum and Art Gallery]],<ref>Ordnance Survey grid reference for Inverness Museum and Art Gallery: {{gbmappingsmall|NH666451}}</ref> create a city of Inverness, but do not refer to any defined boundaries for the city. In January 2008, a petition to matriculate [[coat of arms|armorial bearings]] for the City of Inverness was refused by [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] on the grounds that there is no legal body (such as a council) to which arms for Inverness can be granted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Coat-of-arms-rejected-in-city-status-query-5000.htm |title=Coat of arms rejected in city status quer |work=The Inverness Courier |date=29 January 2008 |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009041948/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Coat-of-arms-rejected-in-city-status-query-5000.htm |archive-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Parliamentary representation===
There are two existing [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|parliament]]ary [[constituencies (UK)|constituencies]] with ''Inverness'' as an element in their names:
* One [[county constituency]] of the [[House of Commons (UK)|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] ([[Palace of Westminster|Westminster]]):
** Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (first established in 2024 and replacing the previous [[Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey]], which existed between 2005 and 2019) currently represented by Angus MacDonald of the Scottish Liberal Democrats <ref>{{Cite news |title=Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire - General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/S14000094 |access-date=2024-07-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* One constituency of the [[Scottish Parliament]] ([[Scottish Parliament Building|Holyrood]]), created in 2011:
** [[Inverness and Nairn (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Inverness and Nairn]], currently represented by [[Scottish National Party]] [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) [[Fergus Ewing]]<ref>[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/fergus_ewing/index.htm ''Fergus Ewing MSP'', Scottish Parliament website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630023546/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/fergus_ewing/index.htm |date=30 June 2007 }}. Retrieved 10 July 2007.</ref>

These existing constituencies are effectively subdivisions of the [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]], but boundaries for Westminster elections are now very different from those for Holyrood elections. The Holyrood constituencies are also subdivisions of the [[Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Highlands and Islands]] [[Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions|electoral region]].

Historically there have been six Westminster constituencies:
* One [[burgh constituency]]:
** [[Inverness Burghs]], 1708 to 1918
* Five county constituencies:
** [[Inverness-shire (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness-shire]], 1708 to 1918
** [[Inverness (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness]], 1918 to 1983
** [[Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber]], 1983 to 1997
** [[Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber]], 1997 to 2005
** [[Ross, Skye and Inverness West (UK Parliament constituency)|Ross, Skye and Inverness West]], 1997 to 2005

Inverness Burghs was a [[district of burghs constituency]], covering the [[parliamentary burgh]]s of Inverness, [[Fortrose]], [[Forres]], and [[Nairn]]. Inverness-shire covered, at least nominally, the [[county of Inverness]] minus the Inverness parliamentary burgh. As created in 1918, Inverness covered the county minus [[Outer Hebrides|Outer Hebridean]] areas, which were merged into the [[Western Isles (UK Parliament constituency)|Western Isles constituency]]. The Inverness constituency included the former parliamentary burgh of Inverness. As created in 1983, Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber was one of three constituencies covering the Highland [[Regions and districts of Scotland|region]], which had been created in 1975. As first used in 1997, the Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, and Ross, Skye and Inverness West constituencies were effectively two of three constituencies covering the Highland [[unitary council area]], which had been created in 1996.

==Culture==
===Twin towns and sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Scotland}}

Inverness is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Home|url=http://www.inverness-town-twinning.com/|publisher=City of Inverness Town Twinning Committee|access-date=2022-06-26}}</ref>
* [[Augsburg]], Germany (1956)
* [[La Baule-Escoublac]], France (1981)
* [[Saint-Valery-en-Caux]], France (1987)

===Arts and events ===
[[File:Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, at dusk - geograph.org.uk - 5624401.jpg|thumb|right|Eden Court Theatre]]

The main theatre, cinema and arts centre in Inverness is called [[Eden Court|Eden Court Theatre]]. Other venues in the city include [[Inverness Museum and Art Gallery]], The Iron Works, the Northern Meeting Park and Wasp Studios. Inverness is an important centre for [[bagpipes|bagpipe]] players and lovers, since every September the city hosts the [[Northern Meeting]]. The [[Inverness cape]], a garment worn in the rain by pipers the world over, is not necessarily made in the city.

Another major event in calendar is the annual City of Inverness [[Highland Games]]. The event can trace its roots back to one of the first Highland Games staged in the modern era; the True Highland Games which was staged in 1822 by members of the Northern Meeting Society. In 1864, the Northern Meeting Society built the world's first Highland Games stadium, the Northern Meeting Park. The last Northern Meeting Highland Games was staged in 1938 and, following the Second World War, responsibility for the organisation of the annual event passed to the Town Council who moved the event to Bught Park in 1948. In 2006, Inverness hosted Scotland's biggest ever Highland Games over two days in July, featuring the Masters' World Championships, the showcase event for heavies aged over 40 years. The first year that the Masters' World Championships had been held outside the United States was 2006 and it attracted many top heavies from around the world to the Inverness area. The Masters World Championships returned in 2009 when it was staged as part of the Homecoming celebrations. In 2010, the City of Inverness Highland Games returned to Northern Meeting Park where it remains to this day. Actress [[Karen Gillan]] is the ambassador for Theatre Art Education.

Inverness has gained notoriety as well for being featured in the [[Outlander (novel)|''Outlander'']] novel series by author [[Diana Gabaldon]]. The [[Tartan Heart Festival]] in the nearby village of Kiltarlity, is a summer festival that brings a variety of music to the area. [[British Forces Broadcasting Service|BFBS]] Radio broadcasts on 87.7FM as part of its UK Bases network.

Inverness Botanic Gardens is located in [[Bught Park]], a few minutes walk from the west bank of the River Ness, near to the [[Ness Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.invernessfloralhall.com/ |title=Inverness Botanic Gardens |access-date=16 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222005135/http://www.invernessfloralhall.com/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, the city hosted [[Highland 2007]], a celebration of the culture of the Highlands, and also hosted the World Highland Games Heavy Championships and European Pipe Band Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highland2007.com/default.aspx.locid-07lnew05l.Lang-EN.htm|website=Highland 2007|title=European Pipe Band Championships are a closing highlight of InvernessFest|date=26 July 2007|access-date=14 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013223252/http://www.highland2007.com/default.aspx.locid-07lnew05l.Lang-EN.htm|archive-date=2007-10-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, the first [[Hi-Ex]] (Highlands International Comics Expo) was held at the [[Eden Court Theatre]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7194176.stm First superheroes expo for north], [[BBC]], 18 January 2008</ref><ref name=scotsimpact>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7195730.stm Scots' impact on comics examined], [[BBC]], 18 January 2008</ref>

Inverness is the location of [[Macbeth]]'s castle in Shakespeare's play. The library is located in Farraline Park, housed in what was originally the Bell's school, designed by William Robertson in the Greek Revival style.  The school was built with help from a £10,000 donation from [[Andrew Bell (educationalist)|Dr Andrew Bell]] in 1837.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/1657ED8F283F8B08?p=UKNB|title=Schools of Inverness have a long history|date=4 July 2017|work=Inverness Courier|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref>

===Media===
[[BBC Scotland]] has a studio in the city which broadcasts the local opt-out of [[BBC Radio Scotland]] and [[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]].<ref name="Contact numbers for BBC Scotland">{{harvnb|Contact numbers for BBC Scotland}}</ref>

Television signals are received from the [[Rosemarkie transmitting station|Rosemarkie]] TV transmitter <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Rosemarkie|title=Full Freeview on the Rosemarkie (Highland, Scotland) transmitter |date=1 May 2004 |website=UK Free TV |access-date= 10 January 2024}}</ref> and the local relay transmitter situated in the centre of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Inverness|title=Freeview Light on the Inverness (Highland, Scotland) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate= 10 January 2024}}</ref>

The commercial radio station, ''Moray Firth Radio'' ([[MFR (radio station)|MRF]]), is also based in the city located on Scorguie Place.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/mfr/|title=MFR |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>

''[[The Inverness Courier]]'' is the local weekly newspaper which publishes on Fridays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/scotland/inverness-courier/|title=The Inverness Courier|date=20 April 2014|website=British Papers|access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>

===Language===
Historically, Inverness had a solidly [[Scottish Gaelic]] speaking population, with the majority of the population having Gaelic as their first language. From approximately the end of the 19th century, particularly following the [[Education (Scotland) Act 1872|1872 Education Act]], which made school attendance compulsory and required that only English be taught and tolerated in the schools on pain of [[corporal punishment]], Inverness suffered a decline in the number of Gaelic speakers in line with the rest of the once [[Scottish Highlands|Gaidhealtachd / Scottish Highlands]]. Despite the local dialect of Scottish Gaelic gradually falling out of use (although it continued to affect the local [[Highland English]] dialect), the language is still spoken locally in other dialects and the [[Mid-Minch Gaelic|main standardised form]]. By the end of the 19th century, some rural areas to the south east of Inverness still had completely Gaelic-speaking populations, such as Strath Dearn where almost 100% of the population were still Gaelic speaking.

1677: Inverness was described as "overwhelmingly" Gaelic speaking by the traveller Thomas Kirk.

1704: Close to 100% of the population was fluent in Gaelic with over 75% of the population only able to speak Gaelic.<ref>Mitchell, A. ''Inverness Kirk-session Records 1661–1880'', 25, Inverness, 1902</ref> [[Edward Lhuyd]] published major work on Inverness Gaelic and after collecting data from between 1699 and 1700, his findings showed a distinct dialect in the area.<ref>Campbell, JL & Thomson, D. ''Edward Lhuyd in the Scottish Highlands 1699–1700'' Oxford (1963)</ref> The clear dialect of Inverness Gaelic was held in high regard by speakers of other forms, such as those from Lewis, Sutherland and Ross.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bmTUD5hiA4C&q=%22long+island%22+%22Sutherland+Gaelic%22&pg=PA117 |title=Popular Tales of the West Highlands|first= J F |last=Campbell|access-date=30 October 2012|isbn=9781907256028|year=2009|publisher=Abela Publishing }}</ref> Gaelic remained the principal language of Invernessians for the rest of the 18th century, despite growing pressure from outwith the Highlands in both political and social contexts.

1798: Thomas Garnett (Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry in the Royal Institution of Great Britain) observed that Inverness had become largely bilingual with Invernessians using Gaelic as the language of the home but English as the language of foreign trade – however, the older generation at the time generally only had the Gaelic. Speaking of those in the countryside immediately surrounding Inverness, Garnett stated that although in Inverness both Gaelic and English "are spoken promiscuously...the language of the country people is Gaelic."

1828: John Wood praised the standard of both the Gaelic and English spoken in Inverness stating that both languages were spoken with "utmost purity." He noted that children would casually flit between the two languages while playing, asking questions in Gaelic while receiving answers in English and vice versa.

1882: ''The Celtic Magazine'', published in Inverness, complained that enumerators of the 1881 census who assessed whether families were Gaelic speaking, English speaking or both, had supplied false information. The magazine wrote that "whole families .... scarcely any member of whom can express the commonest idea intelligently in English – who are in every sense Gaelic-speaking people only – were returned by the enumerators as English-speaking."

1901: Inhabitants of Inverness voiced regret at the very swift decay of the native language in the short space of twenty years following a complete absence of bilingual education and disregard for Gaelic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/transactions83unkngoog/transactions83unkngoog_djvu.txt |title=Full text of "Transactions" |year=1871 |publisher=Inverness |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009141331/http://www.archive.org/stream/transactions83unkngoog/transactions83unkngoog_djvu.txt |archive-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis - geograph.org.uk - 2968728.jpg|thumb|left|Inverness Gaelic Primary School opened in 2007.]]

The number of Gaelic speakers has fluctuated over the last century. In 1881, the census reported 4,047 Gaelic speakers in Inverness (23.3% of the population) which by 1891 had risen to 6,356 speakers (30.47%).<ref name = GIS>Withers, C. ''Gaelic in Scotland'' (1984) John Donald Publishers {{ISBN|0-85976-097-9}}</ref> By 1901 this figure had dropped to 5,072 speakers (23.88%) of the population, from which it continued to drop to present day numbers through [[emigration]] and [[language shift]].<ref name=GIS/> [[Scottish Gaelic]] is slowly re-appearing in the [[linguistic landscape]], appearing on some signs around Inverness. [[Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis]], which opened in August 2007 as a primary school of [[Scottish Gaelic-medium education]], is nearing full capacity and was extended to allow for more pupils in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnp-inbhirnis.com/1/post/2009/11/gaelic-primary-school-education-set-to-expand-in-inverness-area-121109.html |title=Gaelic Primary School education set to expand in Inverness area (12/11/09) – Comann Nam Pàrant – Inbhir Nis |publisher=Cnp-inbhirnis.com |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171111/http://www.cnp-inbhirnis.com/1/post/2009/11/gaelic-primary-school-education-set-to-expand-in-inverness-area-121109.html |archive-date=8 July 2011  }}</ref>

For a city of its size, Inverness today has a relatively high density of Gaelic speakers and a relatively lively Gaelic scene, making it one of the centres of the [[Scottish Gaelic Renaissance]]. According to the 2011 census, 4.8% of residents of greater Inverness over age 3 speak Gaelic compared to 1.1% nationally. At 2,800 Gaelic speakers, only [[Greater Glasgow]] and [[Edinburgh]] have a higher absolute total.<ref>[http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/data-warehouse.html 2011 Scotland Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604200212/http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/data-warehouse.html |date=4 June 2014 }}, Settlement Table QS211SC.</ref> [[Bòrd na Gàidhlig]], an organisation responsible for supporting and promoting the use of Scottish Gaelic nationwide, has its main office in Inverness.<ref name="bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk">[http://www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk/welcome.html Bòrd na Gàidhlig] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211194545/http://bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk/welcome.html |date=11 February 2009 }} {{in lang|gd}}</ref> Other Gaelic related groups include the Inverness Gaelic Choir which has existed for over 70 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://invernessgaelicchoir.com/?page_id=2 |title=About Inverness Gaelic Choir |publisher=Inverness Gaelic Choir |access-date=13 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713050725/http://invernessgaelicchoir.com/?page_id=2 |archive-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Inverness also hosted the [[Royal National Mòd]] in 2014, a festival, inspired by the Welsh [[Eisteddfod]], celebrating Scottish Gaelic culture, [[Scottish Gaelic literature|literature]], and [[Gaelic music|music]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/inverness/Inverness-set-to-host-Mod.6584066.jp |title=Inverness to host the Royal National Mòd |publisher=Scotsman Newspaper|date= 16 October 2010|access-date=16 October 2010 |location=Edinburgh |first=Frank |last=Urquhart}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
[[File:001 - inverness castle.jpg|thumb|right|Inverness Castle]]
[[File:Presbyterian Cathedral of St. Andrew.jpg|thumb|right|St. Andrew's Cathedral, on the banks of the River Ness]]

Important buildings in the city include [[Inverness Castle]] and several churches. The castle was built in 1835 on the site of its medieval predecessor. Until 30 March 2020, it housed Inverness [[Sheriff Court]]; this has now been moved to the [[Inverness Justice Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/IJC|title=Inverness Justice Centre|website=www.scotcourts.gov.uk|access-date=11 September 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224021214/https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/IJC|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/see-inside-the-inverness-justice-centre-which-opened-today-195214/|title=See inside Scotland's first purpose-built justice centre which opened today in Inverness |author=Andrew Dixon|date=30 March 2020|newspaper=Inverness Courier|access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref>

[[Inverness Cathedral]], dedicated to [[St Andrew]], is a cathedral of the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] and seat of the [[Ordinary (officer)|ordinary]] of the [[Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness]]. The cathedral has a curiously square-topped look to its spires, as funds ran out before they could be completed.

The oldest church is the [[Old High St Stephen's, Inverness|Old High Church]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldhighststephens.com/location// |title=Old High Church information |date=6 July 2011 |publisher=oldhighststephens.com |access-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531232634/http://oldhighststephens.com/location/ |archive-date=31 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> on St Michael's Mount by the riverside, a site perhaps used for worship since Celtic times. The church tower dates from [[mediaeval]] times, making it the oldest surviving building in Inverness. It is used by the [[Church of Scotland]] congregation of [[Old High St Stephen's, Inverness]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oldhighststephens.com/ |title=Old High St Stephen's website |publisher=Oldhighststephens.com |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828172539/http://www.oldhighststephens.com/ |archive-date=28 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and it is the venue for the annual Kirking of the council, which is attended by local councillors.

There is no [[Catholic Church in Scotland|Catholic]] cathedral in the area, as the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen|Diocesan]] cathedral ([[St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen|St Mary]]) is at [[Aberdeen]]. The Catholic population is served by two parish churches: [[St Mary's, Inverness]] founded in 1837, is the older of the two and the first Catholic parish founded and built in Inverness after nearly three hundred years of [[religious persecution]] was ended by [[Catholic Emancipation]] in 1829.<ref>[http://www.stmarysinverness.co.uk/parish.htm The Story of St. Mary's Catholic Church Inverness] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508045807/http://www.stmarysinverness.co.uk/parish.htm |date=8 May 2013 }} – St Mary's Inverness official website</ref> St Ninian's was built during the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saintninians.org.uk/Assets/Story.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514063440/http://www.saintninians.org.uk/Assets/Story.htm|url-status=dead|title=St Ninian's - Story|archivedate=14 May 2013}}</ref>

Porterfield [[prison]], officially [[Inverness (HM Prison)|HMP Inverness]], serves the courts of the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney Isles and Moray, providing secure custody for all [[Detention of suspects|remand]] prisoners and short-term adult prisoners, both male and female, who are segregated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Inverness/HMP-Inverness.aspx |title=Prisons: Inverness: HMP Inverness |publisher=[[Scottish Prison Service]] |access-date=27 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404093130/http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Inverness/HMP-Inverness.aspx |archive-date=4 April 2016 |url-status=live }}Ordnance Survey grid reference: {{gbmappingsmall|NH668449}}</ref>

==Sport and leisure==
[[File:Caledonian Stadium - geograph-916623.jpg|thumb|Caledonian Stadium, home of Inverness Caledonian Thistle]]

Inverness is connected to three long-distance footpaths:
* The [[Great Glen Way]] – connects to [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]] along the [[Great Glen]]
* The [[John o' Groats Trail]] – connects to [[John o' Groats]] along the coast
* The South Loch Ness Trail – connects to [[Fort Augustus]] along the south-east side of Loch Ness

=== Football ===
[[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]] - ''Caley Thistle'' is the city's primary football club, founded as Caledonian Thistle in 1994 from the merger of Highland League Clubs, [[Caledonian F.C.|Caledonian]] and [[Inverness Thistle F.C.|Inverness Thistle]], to gain election into the Scottish Football League. The club rose all the way to the top flight of Scottish football in 2004, being a mainstay in the league, and winning the Scottish Cup and playing in the UEFA Europa League in 2015, until 2017, when the club was relegated back to the Scottish Championship. Despite a second Scottish Cup final in 2023, the club was relegated to League One in 2024. The club play in the Longman area at the [[Tulloch Caledonian Stadium|Caledonian Stadium]], which replaced their Telford Street ground in 1996.

[[Clachnacuddin F.C.|Clachnacuddin]] - ''Clach'' are the oldest football club in Inverness and are one of only two founding members of the [[Highland Football League|Highland League]] still competing. They hold the record (alongside Caledonian) for most Highland League titles won, most recently in 2004. Their name is an approximate anglicisation of "Clach na Cuddain", meaning "Stone of the Tub", referencing a landmark that currently sits outside the [[Inverness Town House|Town House]]. Clach play their home games at Grant Street Park in [[Merkinch]], where they have done since they were founded in 1885.

[[Inverness Athletic F.C.|Inverness Athletic]] - ''Athletic'' were formed in 2016, and currently compete in the [[North Caledonian Football Association|North Caledonian League]]. Since founding, Athletic have been a nomadic side, due to so few pitches being available in Inverness. They currently play at Pavilion Park, in [[Muir of Ord]], 13 miles west of Inverness

[[Inverness Thistle F.C. (2024)|Inverness Thistle]] - ''Thistle'' were founded in 2024 as a new club, with no relation to the [[Inverness Thistle F.C.|original club]] other than name, they also compete in the North Caledonian League. Thistle play at Ferry Brae Park in [[North Kessock]].

Alongside the four teams in the pyramid, Inverness has been home to many smaller football clubs, mainly in the [[Highland Football League|Highland League]] due to the inaccessibility to be promoted into the [[Scottish football league system|SFA Pyramid]] until 2013, and it being the most senior league in the area available to clubs. [[Inverness Union F.C.|Inverness Union]], [[Inverness Citadel F.C.|Inverness Citadel]], Clachnacuddin, Caledonian and Inverness Thistle were all founder members of the Highland League in 1893, with [[Inverness Celtic F.C.|Inverness Celtic]] joining in 1897 before disappearing a few years later. Inverness Union merged with Inverness Thistle in 1895, and Inverness Citadel folding in 1937. In 2006, [[Inverness City F.C.|Inverness City]] was founded, playing in the [[North Caledonian Football Association|North Caledonian League]] and the [[North Region Junior Football League|North Region Junior Leagues]] until being folded in 2019. In 2020, [[Loch Ness F.C.|Loch Ness]] joined the North Caledonian League, making the step up from the [[Inverness and District Football Association|Inverness and District League]], before withdrawing in 2024.

=== Rugby ===
[[Highland RFC]] is the local [[rugby union]] club that competes in the [[Scottish National League Division One]]. It has enjoyed recent promotions in the past several years and continues to be a hub for rugby in the North of Scotland.

=== Other sports ===
[[Shinty]] is an integral part of the Highlands and Islands. As the capital of the Highlands, [[Camanachd Association]] is based in Inverness and the city often hosts a wealth of Shinty finals such as the [[Camanachd Cup]] Final (the pinnacle of Shinty) as well as the international game of Shinty and [[Irish hurling]]. Despite [[Inverness Shinty Club]] not being particularly successful in recent years, some of the towns and villages that surround the city have been, such as [[Kiltarlity]] who are the home of [[Lovat Shinty Club]] (recent winners of the [[MacTavish Cup]] 2013) and [[Glen Urquhart]].

Highland HC is the local hockey team, it consists of two men's teams, two ladies' teams and a junior team.<ref>{{cite web|website=Highland Hockey Club|url=http://highlandhockey.co.uk/teams|title=Teams|access-date=13 March 2013 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502202315/http://highlandhockey.co.uk/teams|archive-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> with both Men's & Ladies' 1st teams in Scottish National Division 2. The Men's 1st team successfully gained promotion from Scottish National Division 3 in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/competitions/20102011-archive.aspx |title=Scottish Hockey |publisher=Scottish Hockey |access-date=25 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019230757/http://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/competitions/20102011-archive.aspx |archive-date=19 October 2013  }}</ref>

Inverness Blitz is a charity that promotes the development of [[American football]] in the city and the surrounding area.<ref>[http://www.invernessblitz.co.uk "Inverness Blitz"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223084407/http://www.invernessblitz.co.uk/ |date=23 December 2008 }} invernessblitz.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2008.</ref> Bught Park, located in the centre of Inverness is the finishing point of the annual [[Loch Ness Marathon]] and home of [[Inverness Shinty Club]].

In [[2011 European Tour|2011]], Inverness hosted professional [[golf]] with the [[Scottish Open (golf)|Scottish Open]] on the [[PGA European Tour|European Tour]], played at Castle Stuart the week before [[2011 Open Championship|The Open Championship]]. Cricket is also played in Inverness, with both Highland CC and Northern Counties playing in the North of Scotland Cricket Association League and seven welfare league teams playing midweek cricket at Fraser Park. Both teams have been very successful over the years.

Stock car racing was staged in the city circa 1973. Inverness has a mixed basketball team, the Inverness Giants, who play exhibition games against local teams throughout the North and Islands.

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Inverness}}
*[[John Findlater]] – meteorologist, aviation expert and air crash investigator
*[[Mike Edwards (Scottish journalist)]] – journalist
*[[Stuart Armstrong]] – footballer for Sheffield Wednesday, and Scotland
*[[Charlie Christie]] – footballer
*[[Ryan Christie]] – footballer for Bournemouth AFC and Scotland
*[[Charles Fraser-Mackintosh|Charles Fraser Mackintosh]] (Teàrlach Friseal Mac An Toisich) – lawyer, author and politician. Born and raised in Inverness and represented the Highlands in Westminster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=4272 |title=Charles Fraser-Mackintosh |publisher=Am Baile |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705202436/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=4272 |archive-date=5 July 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Yvette Cooper]] – the former [[Home Secretary]] and present [[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]] was born in Inverness
*[[Don Cowie (footballer)|Don Cowie]] – footballer
*[[Dorothy De Navarro]] – lecturer who specialised in Anglo-Saxon literature
*[[Huntley Duff]] – cricketer
*[[Janet Barlow (scientist)|Janet Barlow]] – scientist
*[[James Alexander Forbes (1805–1881)|James Alexander Forbes]] – British Vice-Consul to [[Mexican California]] as well as the first British Consul to the American state of [[California]]
*[[William Fraser (New Zealand politician, born 1827)|William Fraser]] - New Zealand politician, [[Mayor of Thames]]
*[[Jamie Gillan]] – [[American football]] player for the [[New York Giants]] in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
*[[Karen Gillan]] – actress, best known as [[Amy Pond]], the Doctor's Companion in [[Doctor Who]] and as [[Nebula (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Nebula]] in the [[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]] series of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]].
*[[Donald McBane]] - swordsman and author
*[[Elspet Gray]] – actress
*[[Murray Grigor]] – Scottish film-maker
*[[Derry Irvine]] – former [[Lord Chancellor]] (under [[Tony Blair]], former Labour Prime Minister) was born in Inverness
*[[Malcolm Jones (musician)|Malcolm Jones]] – musician; guitar player for [[Runrig]]
*[[Megan Keith]] – [[Athletics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's 10,000 metres|10,000 metres runner]] at the [[2024 Summer Olympics|2024 Paris Olympics]] for [[Team GB]]
*[[Charles Kennedy]] – former leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] was born in Inverness
*[[Russell Knox]] – golfer who plays on the PGA Tour
*[[Kevin MacDonald (footballer)|Kevin MacDonald]] – Footballer
*[[John A. Mackay]] – Presbyterian theologian, missionary and educator
*[[Margaret Mackay (writer)|Margaret Mackay]] – writer
*[[Mary MacPherson|Mary Macpherson]] – (Màiri Nic a' Phearsain) poet and political activist, "Great Mairi of the Songs" raised her children in Inverness, where she wrote much of her work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=39855 |title=Màiri Mhòr nan Òran |publisher=Am Baile |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327122033/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=39855 |archive-date=27 March 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[John McGinlay]] – footballer 
*Very Rev [[Mitford Mitchell]] [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] in 1903
*[[Ethel Moir]] – nursing orderly with [[Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service]]
*[[Laura Muir]] – silver medallist at the [[2020 Summer Olympics|Tokyo 2020 Olympics]] in the [[Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's 1500 metres|1500 metres sprint]] for [[Team GB]]
*[[Ali Smith]] – author, born in Inverness in 1962
*[[James Sutherland (footballer)|James Sutherland]] (b. 1881) – football player at the turn of the century, with Caledonian and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]
*[[Mr Egg]] – MacAcidhouse musician
*[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] [[Douglas Wimberley]] - British Army officer, born in Inverness 16 August 1896, service in World War I and World War II
*[[Josephine Tey]] – author, born in Inverness in 1896
*[[Connie Ramsay]] (born 1988) – Judoka<ref>{{cite web |title=Glasgow 2014 - Connie Ramsay Profile |url=http://results.glasgow2014.com/athlete/cycling_road/1026925/connie_ramsay.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411191356/http://results.glasgow2014.com/athlete/cycling_road/1026925/connie_ramsay.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 April 2021 |website=results.glasgow2014.com |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>
*[[Jenny Graham]] – set the world record for the fastest woman to cycle around the world
*[[John Macdonald (sportsman)|John Macdonald]] – sportsman who was the first person to represent Scotland at both [[Scotland national football team|football]] & [[Scotland national cricket team|cricket]].
*[[Billy MacDonald (footballer, born 1877)|Billy MacDonald]] – footballer
*[[Erik Thomson]] (born 1967) – Scottish-born New Zealand/Australian actor
*[[Lorne Balfe]] (born 1976) – composer and record producer of film, television and video game scores.

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
* {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Contact numbers for BBC Scotland}} |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/aboutus/ciac/information/contact.shtml |title=Contact numbers for BBC Scotland |work=BBC News |access-date=2 March 2009 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528131909/https://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/4ce2251c28db82aa892a105b718dba4d6a74c327.gif |url-status=live}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Inverness}}
* {{Commons-inline}}
* [https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Home/ The Inverness Courier]

{{UK cities}}
{{Geographic Location
|title = ''Destinations from Inverness''
|Northwest = [[Gairloch]], [[Ullapool]]
|North     = [[Munlochy]], [[Dingwall]], [[Bonar Bridge]], [[Wick, Highland|Wick]], '''[[Thurso]]'''
|Northeast = [[Nairn]], [[Balintore, Easter Ross|Balintore]], [[Forres]], '''[[Elgin, Moray|Elgin]]'''
|West      = [[Beauly]], [[Muir of Ord]]
|Centre    = Inverness
|East      = [[Keith, Moray|Keith]], [[Turriff]], [[Peterhead]]
|Southwest = [[Drumnadrochit]], [[Fort Augustus]], '''[[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]]'''
|South     = [[Balnafoich]], [[Aviemore]], [[Dalwhinnie]], '''[[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]'''
|Southeast = [[Carrbridge]], [[Grantown-on-Spey]], '''[[Aberdeen]]''', '''[[Dundee]]'''
}}
{{Areas of Inverness}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Inverness| ]]
[[Category:Clan Fraser]]
[[Category:County towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Cities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]
[[Category:Populated places in Inverness committee area]]
[[Category:Parishes in Inverness-shire]]