My February escape from the cabin fever of winter took me north, to Inverness and Dingwall.
Inverness is one of my Special Places. I lived there until I was four, when my father’s career path turned us into economic migrants. We moved south to Edinburgh.
Apart from the escape side of the overnight trip, the purpose was to see the football team I support (Queen’s Park) play at Ross County in Dingwall. I do not think I had ever been to Dingwall before, never mind Ross County.
Along the way I expected to eat a few good things, take on the local Parkrun (Torvean) and re-visit a few Inverness memories. My travel to and from Inverness was by bus with CityLink. It was comfortable and relaxed. It was close to being on schedule – roadworks make that tricky.
I stayed in the B&B Hotel on Academy Street. The location seemed ideal, close to both bus and railway stations, plus I have used the chain before in Germany and Poland. I chose well.
Well, part of the plan worked. The football was good, and we won 0-1.
The Parkrun was cancelled – snow and ice – but I went out for a jog by myself along the banks of the River Ness and probably enjoyed that more than a Parkrun.
I ate well – Keralan food on Friday night, the hotel buffet breakfast next morning and then a lovely pizza before I set off for Dingwall. Even the haggis pie at the football was excellent.
On a more cultural level, I visited Leakey’s Bookshop and had a wee pilgrimage to Northern Meeting Park.
Had there been anything on at Eden Court Theatre which attracted me, I would have spent my Friday evening there.
Maybe next time. Maybe in late April or early May.
Come to think of it, I will be in Albania then.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2026
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