The collection includes authentic Pictish symbol stones recovered from various sites across the Highlands.
The museum houses a rare surviving example of a Highland 'targe' or circular shield used in 18th-century warfare.
The natural history collection features specimens collected by Victorian-era naturalists, some of which are over 150 years old.
The gallery exhibits a significant collection of Jacobite memorabilia, including items linked to the 1746 Battle of Culloden.
It maintains a rotating selection of works from the Highland Fine Arts collection, which spans several centuries of regional artistic development.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery sits at the foot of Inverness Castle, housing extensive collections reflecting Highland history, archaeology, and natural environment. The ground floor focuses on the geological formation of the Highlands and the local fauna, including taxidermy specimens of Scottish wildcats and golden eagles. The upper galleries display historical artifacts ranging from Pictish carved stones to weapons from the Jacobite Risings. The museum holds a significant collection of silver smithery and traditional Highland dress. Art exhibitions rotate regularly, featuring contemporary works alongside historical landscape paintings. The building itself serves as the regional hub for Highland culture and heritage preservation. Multimedia displays provide context for the evolution of the city and its surrounding clans. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits exploring Gaelic language and oral traditions.
The elevated view of the museum exterior from the base of the Castle Hill steps.
Focus on the Pictish stones and the Jacobite exhibit as they represent the most distinct local history.
Check the temporary exhibition schedule online before arriving, as the gallery space changes several times a year.
Do not mistake the museum for the castle itself, as the castle buildings are primarily used for legal offices and are not generally open for historical interior tours.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
