Latest news with #InvernessandHighlandCityRegionDeal
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
The iconic Scottish castle with history linked to Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots
The castle undergoing a redevelopment is expected to reopen later this year An iconic castle with links to two of Scotland's most famous monarchs is set to open its doors to the public again this year. However, the multi-million pound redevelopment has been delayed. The long-awaited opening of Inverness Castle as a new £30million visitor attraction has been pushed back from the planned re-opening this summer, with completion now expected later this year. The redevelopment project began in 2022 and involves transforming the former sheriff court and prison into the Inverness Castle Experience, a flagship tourism initiative led by Highland Council and High Life Highland. A spokesperson for the project said the scheme was 'a complex and specialised project', with the main construction phase still ongoing but nearing completion. Once open, the new attraction will take visitors on an interactive journey through the history, myths and landscapes of the Highlands. A virtual guide in the form of a dog named Cuillin will lead younger guests through the experience. A bistro and bar will also be part of the new offering. Earlier this year, a recruitment day was held to showcase the range of jobs being created as part of the project, which is supported by the £315million Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. In February, Highlands and Islands Enterprise increased its contribution by £863,000, bringing its total investment to £2.86million. Perched on Castle Hill overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle comprises two castellated buildings designed by renowned architect William Burn. The courthouse dates back to the 1830s, while the adjoining prison wing was completed in the 1840s. But the site's history stretches far beyond the Victorian era. A fortification has stood on Castle Hill since at least the 11th century, when King David I established a timber and earth castle. It replaced a stronghold previously razed by his father, Malcolm III, who defeated rival Macbeth. Over time, the site witnessed turbulent chapters involving Robert the Bruce, James I, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. During the Wars of Independence, Robert the Bruce destroyed an earlier stone-built castle in 1308 to stop English forces using it. James I later arrested and imprisoned rebellious Highland chiefs here in 1428, prompting years of retaliatory attacks from the Lords of the Isles. In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots, was denied entry to the castle by George Gordon, Earl of Huntly. After a three-day siege by her supporters, the keeper Alexander Gordon was captured and hanged. The castle changed hands repeatedly in the 17th century, occupied at various times by Royalists, Covenanters, and British government troops. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie ordered the castle destroyed. According to legend, a French soldier triggered the explosion, and was blown across the river, while his poodle survived. The site lay derelict until the 19th century, when the present courthouse and prison were constructed. It later became the seat of Inverness-shire Constabulary and remained in use until the courts service relocated in 2020. The grounds still contain the original medieval well, and the striking statue of Highland heroine Flora MacDonald, completed in 1896 by local sculptor Andrew Davidson, still looks out across the River Ness.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Plan to fence off Inverness Castle with railings
Highland Council has proposed fencing off Inverness Castle and its grounds. The former sheriff court is being turned into a tourist attraction with landscaped gardens. The council, which is leading the redevelopment, plans to put up railings and gates around the property and open the site from 08:00 to 22:00. Before work started on the transformation in 2022, the castle's grounds were open to the public at all times - though there was more restricted access to the castle's court buildings. The new Inverness Castle Experience is being redeveloped a cost of about £30m, and is due to open later this year. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds The plans for railings and gates were first reported in the Inverness Courier. The application for the fencing is currently in Highland Council's planning system. A feature of the castle's grounds is a statue dedicated to Flora Macdonald. She famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Parts of the grounds also offer views over Inverness' Riverside, and towards Loch Ness in one direction and the mountain Ben Wyvis in the other. The grounds are currently blocked off by wire fences erected due to the construction work. Highland Council said the railings and gates would form part of the landscaping around the castle, and contribute to the management of the building and gardens. A spokesperson said: "It is intended that the site will be open from 08:00 until 22:00, allowing access throughout this period. "The opening hours are planned to be all year round. "We will put all necessary measures in place to ensure appropriate management of The Inverness Castle Experience building and gardens when it opens later this year." Ticket prices for the tourist attraction were announced in March. The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service moved out of the castle in 2020. The redevelopment has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. The sandstone Inverness Castle was built in 1836 to plans drawn by architect William Burn. It was constructed on a mound overlooking the city and the River Ness. In 1848, a building known as the North Block was added and served as a prison. But a castle had occupied the site from possibly as far back as the 11th Century. Over the centuries, the fortification fell under the control of the forces of Edward I, Robert the Bruce and James I, II and IV. In 1562, it was attacked and damaged by soldiers loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, before it was almost destroyed by Royalist troops in the 1600s. Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces blew the castle up in 1746 to prevent it from falling into the hands of government troops. It was said that a French sergeant, who had brought his poodle with him to Scotland, set off the explosives. The soldier was caught in the blast, and his body was blown across to the opposite side of the River Ness. His dog survived. The Inverness Castle Experience Highland Council
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Plan to fence off Inverness Castle with railings
Highland Council has proposed fencing off Inverness Castle and its grounds. The former sheriff court is being turned into a tourist attraction with landscaped gardens. The council, which is leading the redevelopment, plans to put up railings and gates around the property and open the site from 08:00 to 22:00. Before work started on the transformation in 2022, the castle's grounds were open to the public at all times - though there was more restricted access to the castle's court buildings. The new Inverness Castle Experience is being redeveloped a cost of about £30m, and is due to open later this year. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds The plans for railings and gates were first reported in the Inverness Courier. The application for the fencing is currently in Highland Council's planning system. A feature of the castle's grounds is a statue dedicated to Flora Macdonald. She famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Parts of the grounds also offer views over Inverness' Riverside, and towards Loch Ness in one direction and the mountain Ben Wyvis in the other. The grounds are currently blocked off by wire fences erected due to the construction work. Highland Council said the railings and gates would form part of the landscaping around the castle, and contribute to the management of the building and gardens. A spokesperson said: "It is intended that the site will be open from 08:00 until 22:00, allowing access throughout this period. "The opening hours are planned to be all year round. "We will put all necessary measures in place to ensure appropriate management of The Inverness Castle Experience building and gardens when it opens later this year." Ticket prices for the tourist attraction were announced in March. The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service moved out of the castle in 2020. The redevelopment has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. The sandstone Inverness Castle was built in 1836 to plans drawn by architect William Burn. It was constructed on a mound overlooking the city and the River Ness. In 1848, a building known as the North Block was added and served as a prison. But a castle had occupied the site from possibly as far back as the 11th Century. Over the centuries, the fortification fell under the control of the forces of Edward I, Robert the Bruce and James I, II and IV. In 1562, it was attacked and damaged by soldiers loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, before it was almost destroyed by Royalist troops in the 1600s. Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces blew the castle up in 1746 to prevent it from falling into the hands of government troops. It was said that a French sergeant, who had brought his poodle with him to Scotland, set off the explosives. The soldier was caught in the blast, and his body was blown across to the opposite side of the River Ness. His dog survived. The Inverness Castle Experience Highland Council
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Flora MacDonald's dog to become a tour guide at Inverness Castle
A dog that forms part of a statue to Flora MacDonald is the inspiration for a guide to show young visitors around Inverness Castle when it opens as a tourist famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in Castle Experience is bringing the border collie to life in cartoon form as guide through the castle's is no historical record of the dog's name and a schools competition has been launched to find one. The statue stands near the front of Inverness former sheriff court and prison is being redeveloped as a visitor attraction at a cost of about £30m and is due to open later this project has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, castle will have an interactive "journey" taking visitors through the history of the Highlands. Culloden on 16 April 1746 saw forces loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated by the Duke of Cumberland's government near Inverness, it involved the deaths of about 1,600 men - 1,500 of them the battle the prince and a number of his supporters went on the run across the Highlands and who was living in Benbecula, was among those who helped the prince evade capture by government redcoat suggested he be disguised as her serving maid for the crossing to Skye, where he was given shelter before continuing his escape to France.
