European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 18, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Inverness Inverness a Center of civilization in Scotland s wilds 1 % Sas xxx a two women out walking their dogs along the River take time for a  Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer Inverness Calls itself the Quot capital of the  in tact its status As the Eastern Gateway to Scotland s untamed North country is More important to its tourist status than any of its architectural historical or cultural attractions. As cities go Inverness is Small and uni posing. Its population of 42,500 is distributed along the Banks of the River Ness and the caledonian canal where they enter Beauly Firth and Moray Firth. The City approached from any direction appears As a Small Cluster of civilization surrounded by wide expanses of wild country. 1 he City is reached by major roads from the Southwest along the Shore of Loch Ness from the South through the Grampian mountains and from the Northwest through the Central Highlands. A Inverness is a City Rich in history. The pets a race of Northern celts maintained a settlement on the site in pre Christian times. Macbeth worked his vile conspiracy in his Castle beside the River. Highland clans fought for control of the town and the surrounding Region Over Many centuries. And the last great Battle for scottish Independence was fought at Culloden a Mere five Miles outside the town. But despite the City s ancient heritage a it dates at least to the fourth Century a there Are few outstanding landmarks left to Mark it. At first glance the town seems modern and unimpressive by european standards. One of the reasons for this is Inverness history As a Battleground. Fires set by vengeful armies partially or totally razed the City at least three times. Little remains of the old town. Today the town s most important Man made feature is the Inverness Castle built in 1834 on the site of several previous fortified residences including Macbeth s. It overlooks the Countryside and surrounding neighbourhoods from a Grassy Knoll above the River Ness. A close second is St. Andrew s Cathedral also built in the continued on Page 8. S it Siquot i. Quot i r Inverness stretches out along the River Ness which winds through town and has several attractive islands in its Waters. View is from the Castle overlooking the town july 18, 1991 stripes Magazine 7