By the end of the 18th century Inverness,
the largest town of the Highlands, was acknowledged as its capital
with its theatre, Assembly Rooms and polite society. Its winter
season dazzled the eyes of the townsfolk - balls, concerts and plays
all diverted the local gentry and wealthy merchants who made the
town their base for the dark winter months.
As the capital of the highlands, Inverness increasingly provided
metropolitan sophistication and diversions as the town attracted
wealthy families from all over the Highlands to settle. A ring of
mansions and fine houses sprang up around the town where a civilized
living style could be enjoyed distant from the noise and bustle
of the town yet close enough to enjoy its facilities.
- 560AD - St Columba visits the Royal Court of the Pictish
King Bridei
- 1040 - Legend has it that MacBeth - of Shakespeare notoriety
- built his stronghold here.
- 1158 - Inverness is established as a Royal Burgh by King David
of Scotland.
- 1307 - Robert the Bruce seizes the first of the city's five
castles from English forces.
- 1562 - Mary Queen of Scots has the governor of Inverness castle
hanged for refusing her entry.
- 1746 - Bonnie Prince Charlie sees his Jacobite troops defeated
at the Battle of Culloden.
- 1822 - the spectacular Caledonian Canal is completed linking
Inverness to the west coast of Scotland.
- 1921 - Inverness Town Hall hosts the only cabinet meeting
of the British government ever held outside of London.