Passionate About Inverness & The Highlands
Kathleen stepped down from secondary school teaching in 2004 and John from land and property management with the Forestry Commission in 2010 to devote themselves full-time to running the residential letting agency they established in 2004.
Kathleen is a Yorkshire woman who enjoys working with food and property. In addition to teaching Home Economics and Science she has worked as a demonstrator for The Seafood Industry Authority, run a home catering business and managed a licensed guest house on The Isle of Eigg. Latterly she was co-director with John of a specialist residential letting agency the couple established in Inverness.
John, from Ayrshire, was a chartered surveyor working as a land agent with The Forestry Commission in the north and east of Scotland before latterly specialising in property management here in Inverness.
Kathleen enjoys travel, reading, walking and music, while John is happiest when climbing Scotland’s hills having also climbed in Nepal and the Alps, reaching the top of Mont Blanc with his son in 2009. John and Kathleen aim to ensure that guests at King Street Apartment have access to all they would wish for themselves if staying away in self-catering accommodation.
John and Kathleen have a son and a daughter and 5 grandchildren, all living in Scotland.
We asked Kathleen a few questions..
How long have you lived in Inverness?
I moved to Inverness with my husband, John, and our two children, Fiona and Christopher, in 1983. At that time, we had a decision to make: move to Edinburgh or Inverness? For us, it was a no brainer – we love hillwalking amongst the very many outdoor activities and cultural delights on our doorstep here in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
In one sentence, how would you describe Inverness?
No matter which way your fancy takes you whether on foot , by car, bus or train, the area in and around Inverness constantly surpasses expectations, in terms of magnificent scenery; first class cuisine; superb golf courses; stunning road routes ( e.g. the NC500); extensive cycle paths; challenging off road cycling ; a great variety of wildlife – air, land and sea; creative culture and so much more all within a 30 mile radius of Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands.
What is your favourite place in Inverness, and why?
An almost impossible question to answer but I think I am torn between an early evening walk in late summer by the beautiful River Ness in front of the fabulous Eden Court Theatre, and the view of Ben Wyvis and the river from the castle.
What is your favourite restaurant in Inverness?
Again, I have several as we are truly spoilt in Inverness with a great number of excellent places to eat out – it is essential to book in advance as they quickly become fully booked. My Top 5 would be: Rocpool; The Mustard Seed; Cafe 1; Contrast Brasserie and The Fig and Thistle.
When you have friends and family visit Inverness, where is the first place you take them and why?
Oh dear (don’t tell John) … shopping in the Victorian Market with its fabulous food hall, followed by lunch at Girvans, then coffee at The Botanic Gardens followed by walk along the canal to Dochgarroch with a delicious ice cream at Miele’s!
