City of Inverness, Scotland
Inverness, Scotland's largest city in the north, nestled on the shores of Loch Ness, has maintained a sister city relationship with Augsburg, Germany since 1956. This partnership, symbolising friendship and cooperation, has been the foundation for various cultural and educational exchanges between the two cities.
Recently, the Maria-Theresia Gymnasium from Augsburg brought 1000 students to Inverness as part of a traditional Scotland trip. However, the mourning for Queen Elizabeth II affected the school trip's itinerary, with many planned program points unable to take place as intended.
A 48-member choir group led by Reinhard Kammler also journeyed through Inverness and its surroundings for four days. They performed a concert at the town hall, treating the audience to pieces by John Hilton, Robert Schumann, W.A. Mozart, Johann Strauss Jr., and evergreens like "The whole world is sky blue."
Discussions during a virtual partnership exchange meeting between Inverness and Augsburg focused on the impact of COVID-19 on tourism in Inverness and the potential effects of Brexit. The current 7-day incidence rate in the "Highlands" region is around 40, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the city.
The "Torvean Gateway" project, the largest infrastructure project in Inverness, is a significant development. This road expansion project, crossing the Caledonian Canal with two bridges, is linked to new residential areas and a new recreational area for the citizens of Inverness.
Inverness is not only a cultural hub but also a popular starting point for tours of the Scottish Highlands. A long-distance cyclist, Bruce Morris, travelled from Inverness to Augsburg, covering 1240 kilometers. Goldsmith Christof Lachenmann-Fries embarked on a two-month bicycle tour to the North Cape, visiting Inverness on his way back.
The town hall in Inverness, a striking example of Victorian Gothic architecture, is likely to take one of the top spots in Christmas lighting this year. The city's Botanic Garden also welcomed a new addition, a Ginkgo tree, planted in cooperation with the Inverness Twinning Committee to mark the jubilee.
City Area Manager David Haas provided a report on current urban developments in Inverness, while Bruce Morris was warmly welcomed in Augsburg by Mayor Stefan Kiefer and the commissioner for city partnerships, Dieter Saborowski.
While specific economic or institutional partnerships between Augsburg and Inverness beyond the twinning arrangement could not be found, the bond between the two cities remains strong. The twinning partnership serves as a testament to their shared commitment to fostering cultural understanding and cooperation.
- The students from Maria-Theresia Gymnasium, on their traditional Scotland trip, were originally going to engage in activities related to the lifestyle, education, and self-development of Inverness, but the mourning for Queen Elizabeth II disrupted their itinerary.
- Inverness, known as a popular starting point for travel in the Scottish Highlands, has hosted visitors like long-distance cyclist Bruce Morris and goldsmith Christof Lachenmann-Fries, who were interested in the city's culture and education-and-self-development opportunities.
