The castle stands on a natural hill of glacial deposits known as Castle Hill.
A statue of Flora MacDonald stands in front of the castle, sculpted by Andrew Davidson.
The current structure replaced a medieval castle that was blown up by Jacobite forces in 1746.
The 1836 building served as the Inverness Sheriff Court until its relocation in 2020.
The site features a panoramic viewpoint looking out over the city and the Great Glen.
The castle is built from distinctive red sandstone sourced from local quarries.
Inverness Castle is a red sandstone structure overlooking the River Ness, completed in 1836 to a design by architect William Burn. It stands on the site of a series of earlier fortifications that date back to the 11th century. The current building was historically used as a courthouse and prison. It is currently undergoing a major multi-year redevelopment project to transform the site into a visitor attraction known as the Inverness Castle Experience. Access to the interior is currently restricted due to this extensive construction work. The exterior grounds remain a prominent landmark within the Highland capital. The site is situated on a cliff overlooking the city center.
From the west bank of the River Ness, specifically near the Ness Bridge, looking up at the castle on the hill.
Check the official website for progress updates on the Inverness Castle Experience before planning your trip.
View the exterior architecture from the Ness Bridge for the most complete perspective of the red sandstone walls.
Walk the surrounding Castle Hill grounds to see the statue of Flora MacDonald.
Attempting to enter the building or court grounds, as they are currently closed for redevelopment.
The site is currently closed to the public for a major redevelopment project; only the exterior grounds are accessible.
