Inverness CT - Caledonian Stadium

30^th September 2006

Inverness CT 1-0 Dunfermline Athletic

I decided to let the train take the strain for this lengthy trip, so settled down in my seat with Robert Graves’ Goodbye to All That for company.  The weather was dull and overcast for much of the journey, but suddenly the sun crept out just as the train passed by Balloch and Culloden offering a stunning vista across the Moray Firth, reminding me just how beautiful a city Inverness is.

With a bit of time on my hands I headed, as I tend to do, to the nearest castle, only to discover Inverness Castle is not actually open to Joe Public.  Which was a bit of a cheek, I thought, as I probably own it and pay for it’s upkeep.  Instead I decided to feed my face, so carried on a few hundred metres to a hostelry proclaiming Good, Hot Food available.  Uninspired by the menu, my rather naïve train of thought ran: Here I am in the Highlands.  What food does one associate with this part of the country?  Why, Haggis, of course!  Big mistake :-(  Note to Self for future: Try to avoid any pub food which can be microwaved from frozen.

It was a fair old trek to the Caledonian Stadium from the city centre, and I chose to go slightly past the stadium onto the Kessock Bridge to take in the view.  I don’t think there is a football stadium in the country which enjoys such a beautiful backdrop.

A jewel nestling by the sea.



The main stand.



The main entrance.

Somewhat less than beautiful was the entertainment on show once the match between Inverness and visitors Dunfermline commenced.  Indeed, for a spell, it looked as if the football may replace the haggis with added crispy bits as the low point of the trip.  But things gradually picked up once both sides (already this early in the season, looking like relegation candidates) got into their respective strides.  

Play moved purposefully from end to end without, it has to be said, either goalkeeper being taxed unduly.  As the second-half wore on Caley began to push Dunfermline further and further back, and homester John Rankin contrived to fluff the clearest opportunity of the match so far, shooting wide when clean through.

Then just as I  and, one assumes, all the other folks who had travelled up from Fife were beginning to accept a point as a reasonable comforter for the long trip back, Caley scored.  In injury time Ross TOKELY had a speculative crack at goal, his shot initially seeming unlikely to enjoy any more success than those few others during the previous 90 minutes.  This one, however, hit Dunfermline midfielder Scott Muirhead on the way through, and found its insidious way past Dorus De Vries.  

The Highlanders in the stadium went bonkers and my train journey home suddenly seemed a long, long one indeed, with only Mr Graves to alleviate the gloom.  My sole consolation was that he was at that time at the Battle of Loos, having even less fun than I was.



As with most of the action pics I take, no-one seems remotely interested in the ball.

 

Panorama of Caledonian Stadium, Inverness.

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7^th January 2011

Inverness 1-1    Dunfermline Athletic

Haynes (90)               Barrowman (30)

The Tulloch Caledonian Stadium's proximity to the Moray Firth.

Panorama of Caledonian Stadium, Inverness - 2011

Panorama of Caledonian Stadium, Inverness - 2011

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March 2022