Hilton, Inverness
Hilton is an area in the city of Inverness, the capital city of the Highlands of Scotland. Known sometimes by its poetic name Balruichk or Baile Cnuic nan Luchd-Saighde, charters referring to its existence date back to the medieval period. In the medieval era, two separate though interconnected townships existed for tax purposes: Littyl Hiltoun and Meickle Hiltoun. Now a relatively densely populated residential area, Hilton lies only a couple of kilometres from the city centre, has local services, shops, emenities and pubs, with ease of access to the city's ring-road. Deprivation and low income are notably above average in the area relative to the rest of the city. The area retains a strong sense of community with ongoing social enterprises, associations and community organisations.
As per its name, the area lies on a historic area of open moorland to the east of the ridges of Drummond, Drumeltienan and Druminden, overlooking the lower-lying strath of Culcabock to the north which is separated by the Druim Cruaidh and the lands of Slackbuie, Ballone and Wester Inshes which lie to the west and the south. Historically, the area was bound by a number of freshwater lochs and lochans with Loch Àrdail to the west, Loch Leothair to the south west, Lochan Cille Eòghainn to the south and Lòn Dhubhthaich to the north west. Of these, only Lòn Dhubhthaich avoided draining in its entirety for agricultural purposes and now forms part of the communal gardens at Stratherrick Park.