Culture Blogs

Travel Dictionary: Scottish Words and Phrases During a stay at The Kingsmills Hotel in the Scottish Highlands, you’re sure to come across many friendly locals. We Highlanders do, of course, speak English, but in our own unique way! So today, we thought we’d share with you some helpful Scottish words and phrases, to help you […]

Scottish Highland Games events and traditions Highland Games events run over the summer months, in a variety of locations throughout Scotland. This year, Inverness will be hosting its games on Saturday 16th July at Northern Meeting Park. The annual event, founded 200 years ago, is a celebration of Celtic tradition. And the Highland Games are classed […]

Scottish ancestry: 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? With stories of great victories to gruesome bloodshed, who knows what you might discover? How to get started Begin by writing […]

10 Facts about Inverness, Scotland Scotland is rich with history, majestic landscapes and a bustling city life. So, there’s very little wonder that this glorious location has often been voted the most beautiful country in the world. And if you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to the Highlands, then you might want to know […]

Myths and Legends of the Scottish Highlands The Highlands is an ancient land, rich in Scottish folklore, mythical monsters and dark tales. We’ve all heard of the Loch Ness Monster, but there are several more. So here, we take a look at some local Inverness and Highland myths and legends. The Loch Ness Monster and […]

Scottish symbols and what they mean Scotland is a country rich in heritage, history and culture. So, as a result there are many Scottish symbols that represent everything the Scots are proud of. From the national flag, to the beautiful national bird, the Golden Eagle. So, to help you understand them during your stay at […]

Famous People from Inverness Our city has a rich history and many stories to tell. So here, we’re taking a look at some of the most famous people (and another monster celebrity!) from Inverness … John Fraser: A Rose By Any Other Name John Fraser was a Botanist and Plant Hunter born in Inverness in […]

A Burns Night to remember Here at The Kingsmills, we are extremely excited for the end of this month and Burns Night. Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist, who is celebrated worldwide for his iconic work. Burns is a part of Kingsmills history. He famously visited our building in 1787, […]

Scottish Hogmanay Traditions There’s nothing quite like celebrating the end of another year with family and friends. It’s a chance to get together and have a wee jolly. Drink to past achievements and toast future success. But while the rest of the world gathers round local watering holes on 31st December to welcome in the […]

Exploring Scottish culture and tradition around Inverness When it comes to Scottish culture and tradition, you’ll find plenty to see and do in and around Inverness. Rich in history, the city is home to museums that will take you on a journey through time. Or, why not explore the spectacular natural landscapes of the Scottish […]

Our Favourite TV Shows set in Inverness With our beautiful scenery and enchanting villages, the Scottish Highlands has seen its fair share of big screen productions. Braveheart, Macbeth and Disney’s Brave have all shared the spotlight with the Highlands. And the magical Glenfinnan Viaduct will forever be known as the path the Hogwarts Express travelled […]

Age-old Scottishisms, long-forgotten sayings and a thick (often indistinguishable) accent has left more than a few weary travellers scratching their heads. When you find yourself ‘north of the border’, English can sometimes sound like an entirely different language all together. And the further north you go, the easier it is to get lost in translation. […]

We love Outlander! 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 at the start of our heroine’s epic journey. Before the books first hit the shelves way back when, the myths, mysteries and romance surrounding the Scottish Highlands have taken […]

Five Loch Ness Facts Loch Ness is famous across the world and there is no shortage of visitors making their way to its banks every year. With beautiful scenery and the chance to spot the legendary monster which lurks within the water. It’s no wonder this is one of Scotland’s most popular holiday destinations. But […]