Plan to fence off Inverness Castle with railings and gates

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.

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.