This is right next to the train station and we stopped off here to kill some time before our train…read more it is a small mall, relatively speaking, and has a decent selection of stores. They had a KFC and Burger King which we avoided given that we get enough of that back home. The initial plan was to do some window shopping but we ended up getting a snack and some clothes.

The debrnhams in here is the best debenhams in Scotland…read more The eastgate is a new generation of shopping centres. It combines the old with the new seamlessly and has the best selection of shops around. If it's raining, you can get everything you need in here without even stepping foot outside. Heck, if it's blazing sunshine you won't have to step outside. They have every shop you could possibly want in here - new look, french connection, office, Zara, schuh, debenhams, gap and many more. The centre itself is really nice and welcoming and always had a nice atmosphere. There is never any groups of teenage goths standing around either - which I always thought came any shopping centre. The food court is good too, although there could be more seats. They have pizzas, burgers, salads and sandwiches. It's a lovely and clean environment, if I want to go shopping when I'm home I always come here.

These small but stunning ruins are a must if you're visiting the area! The priory was founded in…read morethe year 1230 as a Valliscaulian monastery for a group of monks from France. It fell to ruin during the reformation, like so many others. The priory is unusually long in structure - and there are some rooms off to the side as well. The whole thing is full of ancient tombs - many of which belong to members of Clans Fraser and Mackenzie. There are some lovely memento mori scattered about. And lots of information signs telling you tidbits of the history. There's even an ancient sycamore tree to the left as you enter the grounds - hundred of years old and full of crows nests - definitely adds to the eerie ambiance haha! There used to be a very creepy, 800 year old witch elm out front too but it fell and is no longer there sadly. There's some dispute about who named the town. One story is that the monks named it of course... but another theory is that it was named by Mary, Queen of Scots, on her visit in 1564 - she remarked that the area was "Beau Lieu" (beautiful place") - which is on its crest and all over the signs in town. And it truly is an incredibly beautiful place! The ruins sit right in the heart of this tiny village in the Scottish Highlands. There's plenty of parking and the ruins are free to visit - open to the public. If you're driving, just head to Beauly and you can't miss the ruins. We were on a day tour with Rabbies - which is an amazing option if you don't want to drive. And luckily this was our lunch stop! Just outside the ruins in the parking lot are some lovely world war memorials, a funny monk carved out of wood, and also another ancient ruin - a mercat cross ("market cross") dating from 1420 - a main gathering site for the town folk. Had a fantastic experience here - can't recommend it enough!

We stopped at the Priory on our Outlander Tour. It's an interesting place and it's hard to believe…read morethat it's as old as it is and still in very good condition. This is another good stop if you are in the area.

This is a fun vintage market in the middle of Inverness that offers some interesting shops and good…read morefood opportunities. The ambiance is cool and that in itself makes it worth the stop. But we also found some delightful little shops. It's a great place to grab some Highlands and Scottish mementos. But the highlight for us was a place that provided frameable family heritage writeups with associated crests, etc. based on family name. It was a wonderful gift for our daughter-in-law, whose roots are Scottish. This place was not just for Scottish names but for many other European names as well. For food options, there were several tempting choices, but Bad Girl Bakery offered good sandwiches and baked goods, while Salt and Fire had some good veg pita options. If you're in Inverness, this retail complex is worth a stop.

When you are in Inverness, Scotland, I recommend dropping by Victorian Market. It is located in…read morethe heart of the city, and it is the home to many shops and other businesses. Do not miss stepping into their Food and Drink Hall. When we were there, it was bustling with activity. Basically, it is a large food court that you would find in a shopping mall in the States only the Food and Drink Hall is better in my opinion. First thing, we did was to try and find a spot to sit. The place was packed! A kind gentleman gave up his table for my wife and I. Thank you good Sir!! There were about a dozen food vendors to choose from. We chose to try Blazin Pizza. What an awesome choice!!! Definitely the best pizza that I have ever eaten in the entire United Kingdom!! We visited July 2024, and they have probably left the Victorian Market by now. The owners were looking for someone to take over their spot at the Food and Drink Hall. Hopefully, the business that takes over makes great pizza too!! Wish we had more time to explore the Victorian Market. We did not have the time to spare to see all that it had to offer. Til next time!

The post office is situated at the bottom end of the high street, and is easily accessible for…read moreanyone as there is steps as well as a ramp. There is a a handy post box sitting right outside the door, so you'll never forget to post your letters after stamping them - may sound silly but i've lost count of the times i've stamped my letters thrown them in my bag and forgotten to post them. Inside it is rather narrow and small. There is a section at one end of the Post Office where cards and stationary are kept, and if customers are lined up waiting, then other customers have to push past to get to the cards. this can be very frustrating, as there is not much room to move as it is. Safety is a huge feature here, and the staff are well protected with safety glass, I know I know, it's not saving us, but to be honest, if i see that a business is taking measures to keep there staff safe then that's good enough for me. Staff are very friendly and do try and be as quick as possible. Overall not a bad little post office, there is limited parking, but you can walk from other car parks that are within walking distance.

Wow!! This is an absolute must visit spot in the Highlands. You may think to ignore it because it's…read morea bit out of the way, but it's absolutely worth the visit! We arrived an hour before the train was scheduled to pass. We thought there was no way we'd see it, but the hike up took so long that we stuck around and it was worth the wait! There are two pathways. There's a quick view point behind the visitor center or a longer hike to the left. The hike can go as long as you'd like. We went to the viewpoint just above the tracks but you can go all the way to the station if you want! If you're able, it's absolutely worth making the climb. It isn't hard but it's best to have shows that can sustain some mud and water. The views were breathtaking and it was amazing to see the train pass through!

Glenfinnan Viaduct (in operation over 120 years as of writing this in 2023) is built between hills…read moreon the Scotland highlands landscape. A trail leads up by the viaduct and has flatter parts where one can stand or sit on a rock and watch the trains travel past. I watched a few trains travel past and spent a little over an hour here on Monday 15 July 2019. The number of viewers increased until an old-school/nostalgia train (red and black style from the 1970s and before) whistled as it made its way past. My first time to the viaduct, I came in the afternoon and found parking was backed up along the road about a mile from the main small parking lot. I decided to do something else and return later in the day. When I returned, around 6:20 p.m., I found parking in the lot and made my way towards the viaduct. Finding my way, I managed to get stung by nettles for the first time. A main paved roadway led to a path up past the viaduct. An information board at the parking lot area provided a map of the trails and other area-specific information. Warning sign(s) along the trail reminded visitors of fines for trespassing in certain areas. The blowing of the whistle of the trains as they approached and crossed the viaduct is something I remember to this day, Saturday 20 May 2023. I would guess such striking imagery is why that particular imagery was fitted into scenes in movies, television, and fantasy book series. Twas constructed decades before the conception of the "Harry Potter" series/franchise and inspired its creator to such an extent that they actually even decided to film here. Even some of the colours of the train lines operating across the viaduct were taken and incorporated into the fantasy series. Always interesting to see (and in this case both literally see and hear) how real-life places inspire fictional enterprises.

James at MFM certainly knows his stuff, I've recommended a few friends to visit him and they've all…read morebeen very happy with the service. Well recommended. Into the off-roading and land rovers etc as well, so if you need one of them fettled he's your man :)

Blair Atholl is one of Scotland's premier castles - and the only one with its own private army. Its…read moreright in the Highlands in an idyllic setting but with a direct train connection from London to its own station.