Colors of Inverness - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The city’s name has appeared from the River Ness, but a small industrial town has gained worldwide fame not because of this natural attraction. The legend about a mythical creature that lives in the nearby lake of Loch Ness is now known to almost everyone. Every year hundreds of thousands of travelers come to the town to make an excursion to the mysterious lake. People can spend hours staring to the surface of the lake hoping to see the mysterious inhabitant at least for a second.

Drumnadrochit village is located not far from the city. Here visitors are welcome to attend a wonderful museum dedicated to the Loch Ness monster. The mythical creature is certainly the most mysterious, but not the only symbol of the city. Inverness is often called the birthplace of porridge, bagpipes and whiskey. During year the city hosts a lot of interesting music festivals dedicated to the national musical instrument.

Blair Athol whiskey remains one of the most popular souvenirs that travelers purchase in local stores. It is produced in one of factories of the city. This whiskey is very popular among connoisseurs of the drink. Inverness Music Festival has remained the most important event in the cultural life of the city for many years. The festival starts in early March and lasts for 10 days. This is a grandiose musical celebration that traditionally attracts public of all ages and musical preferences. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The celebration is a wonderful way to hear a wide range of various music styles. Various interesting concerts, competitions and exhibitions take place here every day during the festival. Musicians from different countries compete in choral singing, opera singing, as well as solo singing and performing original songs. Musicians perform classical and contemporary compositions. Concerts devoted to the national music are particularly popular there.

However, music is not the only passion of the indigenous people. They are fond of extreme sports and competitions. Every year Inverness hosts city games known as «Highland Games», during which local strongmen demonstrate their talents. The organization of this festival is one of the oldest traditions. Every year the exercises that athletes perform become more original and inimitable. A team of professionals traditionally participates in the celebration of athletes. Together with this competition is organized another one, which is open for participation for anyone. Quite often performances of newcomers are just as exciting and unique as of professionals.

Inverness regularly hosts interesting cultural events. Tourists will find it interesting to attend Whisky & Gin Festival that starts in the middle of April and lasts five days. This is the time for master-classes, sampling sessions, music, and a never-ending atmosphere of fun. Emerald Casino & Resort is the traditional venue that has hosted the festival for years. Loch Ness Knit Fest, which takes place in the middle of October, attracts hundreds of knitting fans. Even visitors not interested in this handicraft will not be bored at the event because they can see true masterpieces made of yarn, participate in master-classes, listen to performances of local music bands, and even attend educational excursions in the city that cover many interesting landmarks.

At the beginning of the first summer month, Northern Meeting Park becomes the venue of a music festival called OutDores. Its friendly, family-like atmosphere has made the event really popular. For tourists, it is an incredibly exciting way to get acquainted with the local culture by listening to performances of local musicians and trying authentic local food. It is hard to think of a better city than the heart of Scotland as the location of European Pipe Band Championships. This popular event, which takes place at the end of June, brings together hundreds of famous bagpipers who show off their skills and get rewarded for that.

Inverness Highland Games is one of the most notable events in the cultural life of Inverness. For years, the popular games have excited locals and guests of the city who gather in Bught Park for that occasion. Inverness Highland Games start in the middle of July. The park traditionally hosts parades (needless to say, these processions are impossible without bagpipe bands). Numerous visitors have fun, dance, listen to music, and enjoy delicious local food. The games include several competitions, such as long jumping, marathon, axe throwing, and more. Winners are praised with long ovations of the festival’s visitors.

One of the most popular holidays in Scotland – Halloween – is widely celebrated in numerous clubs. As a rule, local establishments organize thematic parties to celebrate Halloween. The Christmas and New Year preparations start at the end of November. This is the time when Exclusively Highlands Christmas Craft Fair opens in Eden Court. The trade fair’s visitors can purchase interesting items created by local craftsmen. Besides that, this is the time for Inverness Christmas Lights Switch On Festival that only adds to the cheerful atmosphere in the city. Theatrical performances dedicated to the upcoming holidays usually start in the middle of December. As a rule, they take place in Whin Park. Christmas is a family holiday in Scotland, so locals prefer to celebrate it at home with their loved ones. Traditional Christmas delicacies include Cranachan, Christmas puddings, and sweet baked apples.