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Castle
Inverness Castle
Red sandstone castle above the River Ness, completed in 1836 on a site fortified since 1057, now a Highland heritage visitor attraction.
A mini guide to
Inverness & Loch Ness
The Highland capital on the River Ness, with Culloden, Loch Ness and the Moray Firth coast within reach
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
The Highland capital on the River Ness, with Culloden, Loch Ness and the Moray Firth coast within reach
Inverness is the administrative centre of the Highland council area, on the River Ness where it meets the Moray Firth. The red sandstone castle, completed in 1836, and the Scottish Episcopal cathedral of 1866 to 1869 stand close to the river, and the Ness Islands are a short walk upstream.
Most visitors use the city as a base. Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Fort George lie to the east, Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit are on the Loch Ness road to the south-west, and Fort Augustus is at the far end of the loch. Distances are longer than they look on a map, so check road and bus times before you set out.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Museum and gallery on Castle Wynd, managed by High Life Highland on behalf of Highland Council.
Directions Website Report a problem with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Cathedral
Inverness Cathedral
Scottish Episcopal cathedral dedicated to St Andrew, built between 1866 and 1869 beside the River Ness.
Directions Website Report a problem with Inverness Cathedral
Riverside park
Ness Islands
Wooded islands in the River Ness, joined by two suspension bridges from 1853 and 1854 that replaced those lost in a flood.
Theatre and cinema
Eden Court
Theatre, cinema and arts venue beside the River Ness, with a restaurant and bar.
Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield
Moor east of Inverness where a Jacobite army was defeated on 16 April 1746, ending the 1745 rising.
Directions Website Report a problem with Culloden Battlefield
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Inverness & Loch Ness and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Give Loch Ness a half day
Urquhart Castle is about 21 km south-west of the city on the A82, so allow time for the road and for a stop at Drumnadrochit.
2
Pair Culloden with Clava Cairns
Clava Cairns are close to Culloden Battlefield, so the two fit into one morning east of the city.
3
Book the castle experience
Inverness Castle Experience is a ticketed attraction. Check opening times and booking on its website before you go.
4
Fort George is a working garrison
Fort George is still in military use as well as being a visitor site. Check access details with Historic Environment Scotland.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Inverness & Loch Ness (area photo): dave conner from Inverness, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Inverness Castle: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Inverness Museum and Art Gallery: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Inverness Cathedral: Lucas Kendall, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ness Islands: Alpin Stewart, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Eden Court: John Lord from Edinburgh, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Culloden Battlefield: Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clava Cairns: Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Fort George: Iain Lees, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cawdor Castle: Lesbardd, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Beauly Priory: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Urquhart Castle: LornaMCampbell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Falls of Foyers: User:Zenit, CC BY 2.0, source
- Fort Augustus: Bewahrerderwerte, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis: Viewfinder at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Isle of Skye: Portree & Dunvegan: Lauwz The Kiwistralian, CC0, source
- The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey: dave conner, CC BY 2.0, source
- Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry: Mike Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Black Isle & Easter Ross: Vcarceler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Scottish Highlands