Alness Travel Guide - Scotland

Alness is a village in the Highlands of Scotland in the Ross and Cromarty area of the country. The River Averon divides the village into two parishes – Alness and Rosskeen. Alness was a small crofting settlement which grew up around a church. Expansion came to the community when Captain Hugh Munro established the Teaninich Distillery here in 1817. In the latter part of the 10^th century there was also a boom in housing with the expansion of the oil and aluminium industries in the area.

Alness is well known for the friendliness of its people. It has also been awarded the prize of Beautiful Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom. Today it is a centre of floral excellence making it one of the most beautiful places in Scotland to visit. Not many people realize that this community is also famous because it was here that Charles Macintosh invented the first waterproof material in 1824, which is why the early raincoats were called the Macintosh. It is also the birthplace of David Forsyth, who invented the Forsyth Notation in chess.

When you visit Alness, you can see the Girnels or stone houses that remain from the 17^th century. You can also take in the mansion of Captain Hugh Munro at Teaninich House. Climb Cnoc Fyrish at a height of 1478 and visit the Fyrish Monument on the top. This monument was intended to model the gates of Negapataum in India. Sir Hector Munro has this monument built as an attempt to provide work for the unemployed of the area in 1792.

The connection between Alness and the Armed Forces also dates back hundreds of years. In 1715, Sentry Hill was a watch point for the Earl of Sutherland in the Jacobite uprising and during the Second World War; the Americans used Dalmore Distillery as a mine base.

Stroll through the streets of the town and chat with the local people. High Street has many new stores where you can find all sorts of delightful crafts and souvenirs to remind you of your stay here. There is also a wealth of accommodations from bed and breakfasts, self–catering cottages and hotels where your comfort is utmost in the minds of the staff. The Alness Golf Club allows the avid golfer a chance to tee off on yet another Scottish golf course and the leisure centre in the town can offer you relaxation while on holiday.