TravelTrekker

The Inverness Castle Experience will be a new visitor attraction in the centre of Inverness, celebrating the 'spirit of the Highlands' through its stories of past, present and future. The existing castle buildings and esplanade gardens are being transformed from their original use as the home of Inverness' prison and courts into a celebration of what makes the Highlands of Scotland a special place to live, work and visit. The Inverness Castle Experience will take you on an interactive journey through landscaped gardens to the South Tower, a sensory experience, inspired by stories from across the Highlands about its landscape, culture, heritage and people. Through the South Tower, you will be guided by a seanchaidh - storyteller - who will help reveal stories, along your route, celebrating the Highlands' spirit and find hidden gems in every room. Take time to enjoy a refreshment in the new cafe and enjoy glorious views over the River Ness from the terrace. Find the perfect gift whilst browsing in the shop. In the North Tower of the experience, the Ceilidh Rooms will offer a place for people to come together to share the best of Highland music, food and drink. This experience will highlight and acknowledge the contribution of musicians to the rich culture of the Highlands. The opening interactive exhibition will feature the music and stories of Runrig, recognising the band's impact on the area's cultural scene over the past half-century.In the North Tower of the experience, the Ceilidh Rooms will offer a place for people to come together to share the best of Highland music, food and drink. This experience will highlight and acknowledge the contribution of musicians to the rich culture of the Highlands. The opening interactive exhibition will feature the music and stories of Runrig, recognising the band's impact on the area's cultural scene over the past half-century.

Although the castle was closed due to renovation but the city walk was amazing.

The castle on 5/20/23 is undergoing restoration work and will be opened in a year or so as city services. It is a good walk around and is easily in the middle of the nightlife. There are storage and bars nearby open seven days a week. The Edinburgh Museum and Art Gallery are part of the same complex. I recommend a visit there.

The following review is based on a pre-pandemic trip going old school and only using paper maps and brochures to find places to stop at on a 3-week adventure to Ireland, Scotland, and England. No cell phone or internet. We were not able to enter the castle but were able to walk around the grounds when we visited. The castle blends into the hill side so it looks like it is part of the terrain at some vantage points. If coming from the west, you can get some great shots from the river when walking across the foot bridge. It would have been cool to see inside but even walking around the outside of the castle was fun and the town around the castle has some great shops and restaurants. In our visit we were lucky enough to have live music at one of the pubs.

So bummed. Castle is CLOSED for renovations until 2024, maybe 2025. But that means I'll have to return to check it out. Still cool to look at, and Inverness is a nice walkable town.

Currently closed as it undergoes transformation into a visitor attraction from it's former use as the Sheriff Court, so unfortunately you won't be able to enter or be able to get a photo without construction boards in the way. Sitting above the town it's easy to spot and easy to walk up to. Plenty of bars and cafes surround it, or you can enjoy the view from the hill it sits on.