Inverness visited by journalist from the other Inverness
Some sister city relationships provoke more than a few raised eyebrows.
Why, for example, did Mount Prospect, settled by German immigrants, choose Sevres, France, as its sister city?
In the case of Inverness, Scotland, the connection with its namesake in Illinois seems as obvious as the plaid on your kilts.
That connection may have been cemented even further Sunday, when Scottish journalist Mike Edwards, who was born and raised in Inverness, Scotland, and his mother, Margaret Edwards, who still lives there, visited the village hall in Inverness, Ill., for a fireside chat with Village President Jack Tatooles and a visit to the new Veterans Memorial.
Tatooles said he would like to arrange a sister city relationship that would even include Ryder Cup-type golf events at the respective golf clubs.
The Scottish origins of Inverness, Ill., go back to such settlers as the village's original developer, Arthur T. McIntosh, who began acquiring parcels in the area in 1926.
When McIntosh gained control over the area, it became known as Inverness, McIntosh's clan home in Scotland.
Edwards is a crime reporter for Scottish Television -- more commonly known as STV. He also writes a weekly column, "Mike On Camera," for The Inverness Courier. Although he has not lived in Inverness for about 20 years, his mother Margaret still lives there.
He said he plans to visit all of the towns in the United States that are named after Inverness for a book he plans to write about U.S. Invernessians. The book will be a travelogue, unlike his first book, "Friendly Fire," a romantic novel set in Afghanistan. Edwards, a reserve officer, served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Inverness, Ill., is the first of the U.S. Invernesses he has visited. Others exist in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and California.
Tatooles said the Illinois Inverness is permeated by Scottish influences. "If you look at the names of the streets and all of the décor and what have you, it's obvious what it is."
When he heard about Edwards's project, he said, "I told him, you better come here first, because this is the real McCoy."
Edwards said he wants to write the book because the subject is quirky and unusual.
He said the Inverness in Scotland, located about 200 miles from Glasgow, is different from the Illinois version, which has around 7,000 people. The one in Scotland has grown from a town into a big city of about 70,000, adding, "Not everybody is comfortable with that. People would rather it stayed a town.
"Inverness has a quaintness that people would like to keep."
Tatooles told Edwards that the Illinois Inverness is also trying to maintain the bucolic character of its community.
One of the village trustees, Tim Tiedje, was on hand for the visit. He noted that in his research, he discovered, among other things, that Inverness, Scotland, also has a nearby community called Elgin.
Inverness, Scotland
Population: 66,000
Nearby major cities: Edinburgh (Scotland's capital), Glasgow
Nearby airport: Inverness Airport, just 20 miles from the city center.
Cultural attractions: Victorian Market, Eastgate II (an award-winning shopping complex), Inverness Castle, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Ness Islands, Moray Firth.
Local legend: Loch Ness Monster
Local history: According to legend, in 1040, Macbeth built his stronghold in Inverness. In 1562, Mary Queen of Scots had the Governor of Inverness Castle hanged for refusing her entry. Formally declared Scotland's newest city in 2001.
Culture: Eden Court Theatre, the city's main venue for drama and entertainment.
Sport: Three golf courses, including a driving range, the Inverness Sports Centre, Inverness Ice Rink. Spectator sports include the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.
Education: Inverness College, The University of the Highlands and Islands Millenium Institute.
Economic development: Inverness Airport Business Park.
SOURCE: www.inverness-scotland.com