I very seldom post here, but I will be going to Inverness, Scotland and I am very excited. I will be going over for 2 weeks to visit with the children and grandchildren. I am leaving on the 10th of October and returning on the 24th. I play whistle and fiddle and love the music. I was wondering where there might be a few shops where I might find a good âAâ Whistle and if anyone was going to be playing over there at this time. I already have something set up for fiddle (my fiddle instructor will be there the same time for Fiddle camp) so I am looking for something involving whistles. The grandson has an MK âDâ that I just might make a deal and bring that one home with me. You know you can just never have to many whistles. Also is there any places that one would recommend a must see while I am over there?
Go to Hootenannies, it does live sessions and has a good atmosphere.
If you like Italian food I was up a few weeks ago and ate at a place called Riva which was right on the river and was fantastic. http://www.rivarestaurant.co.uk/
I can also recommend the Castle Tavern (guess what itâs beside!) for a good pint and a wee dram. It was round the corner from the guesthouse I stayed at on Old Edinburgh Road and we spent a great evening in there.
As for must see sights, the obvious one is also the best one. Go out to Loch Ness, drive up one side, stop at Fort Augustus for some lunch/dinner and watch the boats going through the locks and the swing bridge operating, then drive back along the other side of the Loch. Also stop at Foyers to see the waterfalls, itâs pretty nice when the weatherâs good.
There is a music store on Church street near Hootanannny - like a block or so toward the main street in town. Itâs been a few years since Iâve been there. They had a lot of whistles and all kinds of stuff.
Enjoy Inverness!
Beauly is just a few miles up the road from Inverness.
I would back the mention of looking for Nessie - but when you are taking your photos please donât step back on to the road. I have nearly mowed down a couple of visitors who were going for the wider shot! It is a fast road for locals and a slow road for tourists - imagine the frustrationâŚ
Check out Culloden too (10 mins outside Inverness by car) - the new exhibition is pretty good and certainly worth a look considering how much public money went into it! I reserve judgement on its ability to bring out the real significance of the site.
Have a hoot - and Hootananys is certainly a good place to do that too as suggested.
First, Alba Whistles is in Scotland and you can look up her (Stacy) address on the page for that.
Second, using Inverness as a base, drive out into the Highlands about 100 miles to the Loch Marie, a wondrous old Hotel midst of nowhere. See if its still there (I was there in 1983) and stop in for high tea; itâs grand. If itâs not there, enjoy the incredible ride and scenery.
First, Alba Whistles is in Scotland and you can look up her (Stacy) address on the page for that.
Second, using Inverness as a base, drive out into the Highlands about 100 miles to the Loch Marie, a wondrous old Hotel midst of nowhere. See if its still there (I was there in 1983) and stop in for high tea; itâs grand. If itâs not there, enjoy the incredible ride and scenery.
Wow, thanks for all the info! I will most definately have everyone of these places as things to do and see on my list. I knew about Blazin Beauly because my fiddle instuctor will be there. I realy must go and Alba is a must. A music shop near HootanannyâŚI must check it out.
Oh, itâs still there (Loch Maree Hotel - canât vouch for how good it is these days thoughâŚ) and that area is very nice indeed - views across to Slioch and the other hills. A good time to drive out that way too - less tourist traffic and the colours are great. High tea has almost died out in Scotland Philo - not an easy thing to find anymore - just lunch and bar suppers or dinner.
It was our honeymoonâŚthe place was grandâŚthere was a Russian Countess drinking tea from silver the European way - holding the sugar in her mouth and letting the tea run over itâŚit was a very fishing/hunting (we were just driving and stopped for tea) oriented starkly beautiful placeâŚThanks for letting me know itâs still there.
I will be going over for 2 weeks to visit with the children and grandchildren. I am leaving on the 10th of October and returning on the 24th. I play whistle and fiddle and love the music. I was wondering where there might be a few shops where I might find a good âAâ Whistle and if anyone was going to be playing over there at this time. I already have something set up for fiddle (my fiddle instructor will be there the same time for Fiddle camp) so I am looking for something involving whistles. The grandson has an MK âDâ that I just might make a deal and bring that one home with me. You know you can just never have to many whistles. 
Also is there any places that one would recommend a must see while I am over there?