Culture Blogs

In celebration of Silver Sunday, a national day recognising and supporting older adults, the Kingsmills Hotel will host a special art exhibition on Sunday, 6th October from 12 noon to 4pm. Featuring works from local artists — Carole Bolton, Marcus Butler, Christine Ewan, David Ewan, and John Nicolson — the exhibition will offer a diverse range of paintings, from landscapes to […]

Tasty Scottish food and drink to try on your holiday here People around the world know Scottish cuisine for its warmth and comfort. From glorious seaside smells to rich textures, discovering the food of Scotland is an adventure in itself – and one we are happy to help with at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness! […]

A guide to Scottish clans and how to find yours If you have Scottish ancestry, chances are you could be a member of one of the great Highland clans. For those interested in discovering more about family history during a stay with us in Inverness, read on. This is our guide to Scottish clans and […]

6 interesting facts about bagpipes in Scotland Think of Scotland and several things may spring to mind – whisky, tartan, haggis, lochs, and of course, bagpipes. Scotland has a rich culture, and our customs and icons are well-known across the globe. Bagpipes music is a big Scottish tradition and you’re likely to hear it during […]

Scotland and Scottish Highlands FAQs We’ve been writing about Scotland for years now, and there’s a wealth of information on our blog about our country and its culture. So today, we’re bringing together some of our most popular posts, to answer the questions we often receive. Explore our FAQs about Scotland and the Scottish Highlands… […]

The history of Scottish ceilidhs Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a Scottish Gaelic word that means ‘gathering’ or ‘party’. Ceilidhs are rooted in Scottish culture and a traditional form of social gathering. Ceilidhs have a longstanding history, originating in the Scottish Highlands as communal celebrations for weddings, christenings and harvest festivals. These gatherings provided an opportunity […]

The history of the Scottish kilt The Scottish Kilt is a cultural symbol of Scotland, tracing back to the 16th century. Evolving from the ‘féileadh mòr’ in Gaelic or great kilt, which Highlanders draped and belted around their bodies, the modern Scottish kilt took shape. Over time this transformed into the tailored kilt we recognise […]

Scottish Highland Games events and traditions Highland Games events run over the summer months, in a variety of locations throughout Scotland. The Inverness games are usually hosted in Bught Park and you can find out more about this year’s event here. The annual event, founded over 200 years ago, is a celebration of Celtic tradition. […]

The Inverness Highland Games experience For hundreds of years, the Highland Games has been a celebration of brute strength, local wares and age-old traditions. In other words, a celebration of all things Scottish. Over the years the games have evolved from tests of strength and stamina, to include demonstrations of dance and music to keep […]

When you visit Scotland, you’ll notice we have our own bank notes, which are different from ones issued in England and the rest of the UK. Knowing Scottish money is important for getting around the country’s towns, countryside and cities. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Scottish money, from […]

The Outlander effect in Inverness It’s hard not to fall in love with Diana Gabaldon’s gripping Outlander series. Especially since our beautiful city of Inverness plays a starring role in our heroine, Claire’s, epic journey. Before the books first hit the shelves way back when, the myths, mysteries and romance surrounding the Scottish Highlands have taken […]

Traditional Scottish wedding customs The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness has everything you need for a magical Scottish wedding. A flexible venue with a choice of event spaces, beautiful gardens, delicious food and drink and an experienced team to make sure all runs smoothly. We cater for weddings large and small, with a maximum capacity of […]

On location: Inverness and the Scottish Highlands With our dramatic landscapes, the Scottish Highlands has seen its fair share of film and TV productions. So today, we’re taking a look at some of the biggest and best movies and shows set in or inspired by the Highlands. Walk in the footsteps of your favourite stars […]

Researching your family tree in Inverness Inverness is the ideal place to discover your Scottish ancestry and family tree. Where better to explore your heritage than among the beautiful Highlands of Scotland? Discover the land of your ancestors and follow in their footsteps… How to get started Begin by writing down what you already know. […]

Kingsmills Hotel hosts charity race day At Kingsmills, we are committed to supporting local causes. And since 2022, we have partnered with Mikeysline to deliver a calendar of fundraising events. On Thursday 22nd June, we saw the return of the much-loved Royal Ascot Ladies Day. A sell out event centred around the Royal Ascot horse-racing […]