When I first arrived in Inverness, I walked out of the train station and was met by a sign directing me to a 'Victorian Market' on Academy Street. It was strange and intriguing. I enjoy Victoriana and the odd market so this sign seemed like, well, a sign. I entered the market and was immediately met by a beautiful, sprawling corridor peppered with quaint, little shops. The Victorian cast-iron and wooden-domed roof transports you to an entirely different era. Have a quick glance around the shops and you would be forgiven for thinking that you have taken a step back in time.
There's the local fishmongers (a nod to the Market Hall's previous place as Inverness' fish market) the florist's, the confectionery stall and the tobacconist's. It's eerily yet beautifully archaic. But you must take a closer look. Only then will you discover the record shop, the Belgian chocolatiers, the Oriental food store and various boutiques specialising in contemporary jewellery and selected vintage clothing.
The Victorian Market charmingly blends together traditional Victorian design and layout with a modern collection of retail outlets. It isn't surprising that it's such a hit with both tourists and locals alike. It's certainly a landmark in Inverness's Old Town and I would urge anyone visiting the city to take some time out from the high street to visit the wonders of the Market.
I was fortunate enough to speak with some of the locals who work in the various shops in the Market and a tourist, much like myself, who surreptitiously stumbled upon it...
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