Inverness Castle, Inverness (must see)

Perched on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle has stood as a sentinel of Scottish history since 1057, though its current red sandstone structure dates to 1836. A Category A listed building, the castle has witnessed centuries of rebellion, royal intrigue, and architectural transformation.

The site's first castle is believed to have been constructed by Malcolm III of Scotland and later fortified by Shaw Macduff, the first chief of Clan Mackintosh, under Malcolm IV in 1163. The original fortress endured dramatic events, including partial destruction by Robert the Bruce in 1307 and the fiery retaliation by Lord Alexander, 3rd Lord of the Isles, in 1428 after being imprisoned there by James I.

The modern castle, a striking example of early castellated architecture, was designed by William Burn and completed in 1836. Featuring a symmetrical main façade and castellated towers, its southern block once housed the County Buildings and Sheriff Court. The northern block, added in 1848 by Thomas Brown II, served as a prison and courthouse. Surrounding bastioned walls were designed by Joseph Mitchell, completing the fortress-like aesthetic.

Over the centuries, the castle became a repository of military history, displaying captured field guns from battles such as the Battle of Loos and the Crimean War. Today, only the gun from Loos remains, preserved at the Clan Cameron Museum.

Inverness Castle transitioned from a seat of county governance to a judicial hub before the relocation of court functions in 2020. Closed for extensive renovations in 2021, the castle is slated to reopen in 2025, promising a renewed space for public engagement with its storied past.