Rose Street Junction

Inverness railway station, the ends of Platforms 5-7 being seen on the right beyond the Royal Mail vans, is V-shaped, with the lines to the north and to the south diverging within station limits either side of the locomotive depot (the long building with the pale grey roof). A station avoiding line connects the North and South lines and, from Longman Road bridge over Rose Street Junction, First ScotRail diesel unit No 158728 is seen taking this line during a shunting manoeuvre. The track behind the fence on the left once led down to Inverness Harbour but in more recent years served a yard where containers of food and other items were transferred from railway wagons to lorries for distribution by road to Safeway supermarkets.

Taken 22nd September 2007 © Copyright A-M-Jervis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Victorian Market

Indoor market with many locally-owned shops. It was built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1890 after a fire.

Taken 7th July 2008 © Copyright Colin Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Awaiting departure for Wick

The early train for Wick (07:15) awaits departure time at Inverness railway station.

Taken 4th October 2007 © Copyright OLU and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Royal Highland Hotel

Originally opened as the Station Hotel by the Highland Railway, the hotel is immediately in front of the station.

Taken 4th October 2007 © Copyright OLU and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Upstream River Beauly

From Lovat Bridge.

Taken 7th October 2009 © Copyright Stanley Howe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

View towards the Kessock Bridge

From a lay-by on the A862 from Beauly.

Taken 7th October 2009 © Copyright Stanley Howe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Inverness (Dalcross) Airport 1974

Islander and Trislander of Loganair on the apron, stalwarts of their Highlands & Islands routes.

Taken June 1974 © Copyright M J Richardson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Post Office and High Street, Munlochy

Two shops, a Bank, Hotel and Post Office are the main commercial buildings of Munlochy High Street. The Post Office has its own sorting office attached to it.

Taken 30th September 2009 © Copyright Dr Julian Paren and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Ships bell of HMS 'Excalibur'

HMS 'Excalibur' was the name given to the RN training establishment during WWII at Alsager in Cheshire, near Stoke and far from the sea! Postwar an experimental submarine powered by hydrogen peroxide was named 'Excalibur' and upon being scrapped its periscope was put to use at the starters hut at Elie Golf Course to enable the starter to see if the 1st green was clear for play to commence. It remains in use there.

The bell is now in service outside the chapel at Fort George.

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Stubble field, Conon Bridge.

In the distance, first snow on the Wyvis massif.

Taken 4th October 2009 © Copyright sylvia duckworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A Monkey Puzzle Tree at Kilravock Castle

Monkey Puzzle trees are said to be given their name, owing to the fact that they are so sharp that even a monkey can't work out how to climb them. This one is now bearing fruit.

Taken 24th Septemebr 2009 © Copyright Ann Harris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A Layered Beech Tree at Kilravock Castle

This is one of two Layered Beech trees in the castle grounds, said to be over 325 years old.

Taken 24th Septemebr 2009 © Copyright Ann Harris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Cawdor Castle, from the gardens.

The beautiful large white-flowered tree on the left is "Euchryhia x nymanensis", a rare hybrid evergreen.

Taken 30th August 2009 © Copyright sylvia duckworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Ponies at Craggie.

Three of these lovely white ponies have free run in the grounds of Craggie House.

Taken 14th April 2009 © Copyright sylvia duckworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Going back in time

The frontage of this shop in Nairn High Street caught my eye as it appears little changed from the 1950's. A nice reminder of times past.

Taken 2nd August 2008 © Copyright Gordon Hatton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

River Findhorn

Looking down on the turbulent River Findhorn below as it rages through a gorge near Dulsie Bridge. The 70 mile long river is a highly important salmon and trout fishing river. It rises in the Monadhliath Mountains and enters the Moray Firth at Findhorn Bay. The section for several miles through the gorge is known as the 'Streens of Findhorn'.The name from the Gaelic scrian meaning bridle referring to the gorge attempting to hold back the raging waters. The river in spate may be imagined!

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Dulsie Bridge

This bridge over the fast flowing River Findhorn on the military road from Grantown to Fort George was built by Major Caulfeild in 1755 as part of the scheme to pacify the highlands. The cost was then £150. A scenic attraction for tourists ever since amongst others Robert Burns passed this way on his highland tour. It still carries all traffic on this now minor road.

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Upper Fall, Fairy Glen

This is the upper of two 8 metre high falls on the Eathie Burn in the Fairy Glen at Rosemarkie. Hugh Miller did much of his pioneering geological studies on the red sandstones in this attractive, steep and densely wooded glen.

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Hopeful Dolphin watchers at Chanonry Point

The narrows here of the Inverness Firth, between Chanonry Point and Fort George is a favourite haunt of a school of Bottle Nosed Dolphins. Correspondingly on the furthest out point, here on the shingle beach, it attracts crowds of hopeful dolphin watchers! Mostly successfully.

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Memorial to the Brahan Seer

This stone marks the spot where the Brahan Seer, Coinneach Odhar, was put to death in a burning tar barrel on the orders of the Countess of Seafield for prophesying the doom of the dynasty. This indeed came to pass as did many others such as prophesying the Caledonian Canal. It is said he was killed in the late 17th century but may however be a century earlier. In the background is Chanonry Point Lighthouse which gives an occulting light every 6 seconds. The light is 12 metres high and is visible for 15 miles.

Taken 6th September 2009 © Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

New shops for Woodside Village

A large area of new housing has been built south of Smithton - a district to the east of Inverness. A new pub/restaurant is also planned for the area. Yes - the chip shop on the left is called The Codfather.

Taken 3rd September 2009 © Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Sandy beach North of Rosemarkie

Rosemarkie is a popular place for beach activities, but only a short walk northwards from the town's beach, along the coast brings you to better sand and a totally different experience.

Taken 30th July 2009 © Copyright Dr Julian Paren and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

St Columba's, Culloden

The church stands on the junction of Murray Road and Tower Road. An inaugural mass was held at the new church on 24th October 2008. The church has a website with much information about the building.

Taken 3rd September 2009 © Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Knockbain Free Church of Scotland

Located in Ferry Brae, North Kessock. Church website

Taken 3rd September 2009 © Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

North Kessock Pier

The white building houses public toilets. This pier was formerly used by ferries which crossed the Beauly Firth to South Kessock before the Kessock Bridge opened in 1982.

Taken 3rd September 2009 © Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The North Kessock Hotel

The hotel stands in Main Street opposite the pier. Hotel website.

Taken 3rd September 2009 © Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The swing bridge at Tomnahurich

A Loch Ness cruise boat by the swing bridge at Tomnahurich

Taken 1st September 2009 © Copyright Graeme Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Floral Hall

Glasshouses with tropical plants and cacti surrounded by gardens.

Taken 30th August 2009 © Copyright Dr Richard Murray and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Top of Ormond Hill

In 1197, Sir Andrew de Moray raised his Standard at his castle at this very point. This became known as the North Rising. Men under his leadership then travelled to join William Wallace at the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge where the English Army were defeated.

Taken 8th September 2006 © Copyright Nick Forwood and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Muirtown locks flight at night

Flight of locks taking the Caledonian Canal from the Muirtown basin towards Tomnahurich.

Taken 15th October 2008 © Copyright Stephen Halpin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Contrast: Old and New

Local coach firm D&E Coaches' shiny new vehicle stands next to one of MacBraynes' old buses, used all over the West of Scotland and the Isles in the 1950s and 60s.

Taken 13th June 2009 © Copyright Alasdair McNeill and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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