Inverness-shire. Inverness County of Inverness until circa 1890 Inverness Local Government District 1975 to 1996 Letters patent granting city status to the town of Inverness were sealed in 2001. The letters patent do not refer, however, to anywhere with defined boundaries, and the city is not a statutory local government area. Geography[edit] The county of Inverness covered a large mainland area and various island areas off the west coast. The island areas included North Uist, South Uist and Harris in the Outer Hebrides and Skye and the Small Isles in the Inner Hebrides. The neighbouring counties were: Ross and Cromarty to the north, Nairn, Moray, Banff and Aberdeen to the east and Perth and Argyll to the south. Burghs[edit] The burgh of Inverness was the county town of Inverness-shire. Also, use of the new boundaries for parliamentary elections was specifically excluded. Local Government[edit] District of Highland, 1975 to 1996[edit] Highland Council management areas, 1996 to present[edit] Civil parishes[edit]
Old County of Inverness-shire Map. Inverness-shire genealogy. Overview of Old County of Inverness-shire. Inverness. Coordinates: Inverness (pronounced /ɪnvərˈnɛs/ The population of greater Inverness grew from an estimated population of 51,610 in 2003 to 62,470 at the time of the 2011 Census.[1][5] Inverness is one of Europe's fastest growing cities,[6] with a third of the Highland population living in or around the city[7] and is ranked fifth out of 189 British cities for its quality of life, the highest of any Scottish city.[8] In the recent past, Inverness has experienced rapid economic growth - between 1998 and 2008, Inverness 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%.[9] Inverness is twinned with one German city, Augsburg and two French towns, La Baule and Saint-Valery-en-Caux.[10] History[edit] "Prospectus Civitatis Innerness", Inverness in 1693 The strategic location of Inverness has led to many conflicts in the area.
Toponymy[edit] Inverness. Fort William, Scotland. Coordinates: Fort William (Scottish Gaelic: An Gearasdan [ən ˈkʲɛrəs̪t̪ən] "The Garrison") is the second largest settlement in the Highlands of Scotland with around 10,000 inhabitants — and the largest town: only the city of Inverness is larger. Fort William is a major tourist centre, with Glen Coe just to the south, Aonach Mòr to the east and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. It is a centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other Munro mountains. It is also known for its nearby downhill mountain bike track. It is the start/end of both the West Highland Way (Milngavie-Fort William) and the Great Glen Way (a walk/cycle way Fort William-Inverness).
Around 726 people (7.33% of the population) can speak Gaelic.[1] Etymology[edit] Questions over the town's English name are various. Questions over the town's Gaelic name are equally interesting. History[edit] Ben Nevis viewed from Neptune's Staircase Future development[edit] Geography[edit]
Kingussie. Coordinates: Kingussie ( History[edit] A former church in Kingussie The name "Kingussie" comes from the Gaelic, "Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich" which means "Head of the Pine forest". The ruins of the early 18th century Ruthven Barracks (Historic Scotland; open to visitors at all times) lie near the original site of the village which was moved to avoid the flood plain of the River Spey. Shinty[edit] For more info, see article on Kingussie Camanachd Tourism[edit] The Highland Wildlife Park is sited very close by. Speyside Way[edit] The Speyside Way is a long distance route which currently has its southern terminus at Aviemore, north of Kingussie. Kingussie in film[edit] Kingussie featured in the 8-time Oscar winning Danny Boyle film 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
Kingussie in literature[edit] Kingussie is mentioned in Compton Mackenzie's book The Monarch of the Glen, on which the BBC TV series is based. Activities[edit] [edit] References[edit] External links[edit]
Skye. Skye or the Isle of Skye (/skaɪ/; Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a' Cheò) is the largest and most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. [Note 1] The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.[9][10] Although it has been suggested that the Gaelic Sgitheanach describes a winged shape there is no definitive agreement as to the name's origins.
The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald. The 18th-century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms, some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands. The main industries are tourism, agriculture, fishing and whisky-distilling. Etymology[edit] Small Isles. The Small Isles are at the centre of this Hebrides map Blaeu's 1654 Atlas of Scotland - The Small Isles. Rum is at centre, surrounded by "Kannay', 'Egg' and 'Muck'. The Small Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Tarsainn)[1] are a small archipelago of islands in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland.
They lie south of Skye and north of Mull and Ardnamurchan – the most westerly point of mainland Scotland. A distant view of Eigg, with the hills of Rùm behind The four main islands are Canna, Rùm, Eigg and Muck. The largest is Rùm with an area of 105 square kilometres (41 sq mi). Smaller islands surrounding the main four include: Sanday, separated from Canna by a narrow tidal channel;[2]Eilean Chathastail, near Eigg andEilean nan Each (Horse Island), near north coast of Muck (NM3981) There are also a number of skerries: Hyskeir, (not to be confused with Heisker or the Monach Islands in the Outer Hebrides)Garbh Sgeir,Eagamol, near Eilean nan EachHumla, andtwo places called Dubh Sgeir.
South Uist. South Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2011 census it had a usually resident population of 1,754, a fall of 64 since 2001.[8] There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The population is about 90% Roman Catholic. The island, in common with the rest of the Hebrides, is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Gaelic language in Scotland. In 2006 South Uist, and neighbouring Benbecula and Eriskay were involved in Scotland's biggest community land buyout to date.
In the north west there is a missile testing range. Its inhabitants are known in Gaelic as "Deasaich" (Southerners). Geography and geology[edit] South Uist has a bedrock of Lewisian Gneiss,[9][10] high grade regional metamorphism dating back to 2900 million years ago in the Archaean. Etymology[edit] History[edit] Economy[edit] Missile testing[edit] North Uist. North Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath pronounced [ˈɯ.ɪʃtʲ ə t̪ʰuə]) is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Gaelic[edit] According to the 2011 Census, there are 887 Gaelic speakers (61%) on North Uist.[7] Geography[edit] Settlements[edit] Causeway from Benbecula (foreground) to North Uist The main settlement on the island is Lochmaddy, a fishing port and home to a museum, an arts centre and a camera obscura. The island's main villages are Sollas, Hosta, Tigharry, Hougharry, Paible, Grimsay and Cladach Kirkibost. According to the 2001 census North Uist had a population of 1,271 (1,320 including Baleshare).[12] Places of interest[edit] The Vikings arrived in the Hebrides in 800AD where they had large settlements.
The island is known for its birdlife, including corncrakes, arctic terns, gannets, corn buntings and Manx shearwaters. Etymology[edit] Population[edit] From Haswell-Smith (2004)[3] except as stated. History[edit] North Uist and the Clearances[edit] [edit]
Harris, Scotland. Coordinates: Harris (also Scottish Gaelic: Na Hearadh, pronounced [nə ˈhɛɾəɣ]) is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Although not an island itself, Harris is often referred to as the Isle of Harris, which is the former postal county and the current post town for Royal Mail postcodes starting HS3 or HS5. See HS postcode area. A person from Harris is known as a Hearach. Gaelic[edit] According to the 2011 Census, there are 1,212 Gaelic speakers (60%) in the Harris area.[2] Etymology[edit] The Gaelic name "Na Hearadh" was also an earlier term for the Rinns of Islay.
Geography[edit] Harris divides naturally into northern and southern parts which are separated by West and East Loch Tarbert. The bedrock of Harris is largely Lewisian gneisses, which were laid down in the Precambrian period, interspersed with igneous intrusions. North Harris[edit] Old feannagan, or "lazy beds" on North Harris South Harris[edit] South Harris. St Kilda, Scotland. Coordinates: Overview of Village Bay St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean.
It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.[6] The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom, and three other islands (Dùn, Soay and Boreray) were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. The islands are administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area.[7] The origin of the name St Kilda is a matter of conjecture.
St Kilda may have been permanently inhabited for at least two millennia, the population probably never exceeding 180 (and certainly no more than 100 after 1851). Origin of names[edit] The Street in 1886 Various theories have been proposed for the word Kilda's origin, which dates from the late 16th century. 1580 Carte of Scotlande showing Hyrth (i.e. The Village Street showing restoration work Geography[edit] St Kilda Hirta. Rockall. Coordinates: Rockall (Irish: Sgeir Rocail) is an uninhabited remote granite islet in the North Atlantic Ocean situated 460 km west of Great Britain, 430 km northwest of Ireland, and 800 km south of Iceland within the United Kingdom's exclusive economic zone.[1][2] Since the late 16th century, this 20-metre-high (60 ft) rock in the Atlantic Ocean has been noted in written records, although it is likely that some northern Atlantic fishermen knew of the rock before these historical accounts were made.
In the 20th century the location of the islet became a major interest due to the potential oil and fishing rights, spurring continued debate amongst several European nations. Lord Kennet said of it in 1971 that, "There can be no place more desolate, despairing and awful. Rockall has been a point of interest for adventurers and amateur radio operators who have variously landed on or briefly occupied the islet. Etymology[edit] View of Rockall from the south. Dutch mapmakers P. Geography[edit]
Harris. South Uist. Skye. Great Glen. The Great Glen (Scottish Gaelic: An Gleann Mòr), also known as Glen Albyn (from the Scottish Gaelic Gleann Albainn - meaning the "Glen of Scotland") or Glen More (from the Scottish Gaelic An Gleann Mòr, the Great Glen) is a series of glens in Scotland running for 62 miles (100 km) from Inverness on the edge of Moray Firth, to Fort William at the head of Loch Linnhe.
The Great Glen Fault The glen is a natural travelling route in the Highlands of Scotland, which is used by both the Caledonian Canal and the A82 road, which link the city of Inverness on the northeast coast with Fort William on the west coast. The Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway was built in 1896 from the southern end of the glen to the southern end of Loch Ness, but was never extended to Inverness. The railway closed in 1947. A recent development has been to open a long-distance route for cyclists, canoeist and walkers. Much of the glen is taken up with a series of lochs, with rivers connecting them.
References[edit]
Caledonian Canal. The Caledonian Canal is a canal in Scotland that connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach near Fort William. It was constructed in the early nineteenth century by engineer Thomas Telford, and is a sister canal of the Göta Canal in Sweden, also constructed by Telford. Route[edit] History[edit] The canal was conceived as a way of providing much-needed employment to the Highland region.
The area was depressed as a result of the Highland Clearances, which had deprived many of their homes and jobs. The first survey for a canal was carried out by James Watt in 1773, but it was the Caledonian Canal Commission that paved the way for the actual construction.[2] On 27 July 1803, an Act of Parliament was passed to authorise the project,[4] and the canal engineer Thomas Telford was asked to survey, design and build the waterway. Operation[edit] The canal is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and attracts over half a million visitors each year. Names[edit] Cameron, A. Caledonian Canal. Neptune's Staircase. Neptune's Staircase (grid reference NN113769) is a staircase lock comprising eight locks on the Caledonian Canal.
Built by Thomas Telford beteeen 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain. The system was originally hand-powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation. Description[edit] Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie, near Fort William just north of Loch Linnhe is kept by British Waterways. It is the longest staircase lock in Britain lifting boats 64 feet (20 m).[1] It consists of eight locks, each 180 feet (55 m) by 40 feet (12 m) and it takes about 90 minutes to pass through the system.[1][2][3] The current lock gates weigh 22 tons each, and require a team of three lock-keepers (at minimum) to run the staircase.
It is usual for them to operate on an 'efficiency basis', that is the keepers try to either fill each cut with boats on the lift or drop, or to allow for passing, i.e. a dropping craft to pass a rising craft on the same fill/empty cycle. History[edit]
Loch Ness. Loch Ness Loch Ness (/ˌlɒx ˈnɛs/; Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis, [l̪ˠɔxˈniʃ]) is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 km (23 mi) southwest of Inverness. Its surface is 15.8 m (52 ft) above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie". It is connected at the southern end by the River Oich and a section of the Caledonian Canal to Loch Oich. At the northern end there is the Bona Narrows which opens out into Loch Dochfour, which feeds the River Ness and a further section of canal to Inverness. Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56.4 km2 (21.8 sq mi) after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume.
Villages and places[edit] At Drumnadrochit is "The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition"[3] which examines the natural history and legend of Loch Ness. Monster[edit] Fish species[edit] Island[edit] Geology[edit]
Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness Monster. Urquhart Castle. Castle Urquhart. Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis. Battle of Culloden. Culloden. Dunvegan Castle. Dunvegan Castle. Castle Tioram | castle in Arisaig and Moidart, Inverness-shire. Glenfinnan. Glenfinnan. Overview of Commando Monument. Overview of West Highland Line. West Highland Way.