Panorama showing Inverness Castle and view over Ness river. The picture was taken from the front of the castle in May 2009.

Inverness Castle - Inverness visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Inverness Castle' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Highland.

Inverness Castle stands on a cliff overlooking the River Ness near the center of Inverness in Scotland. The current, red sandstone castle was designed by William Burn and built in 1836, but defensive structures have stood on the site since 1057, when Máel Coluim III of Scotland is said to have built a castle here after destroying the castle 1 km away in which, according to much later tradition, Mac Bethad mac Findlaíc (Macbeth) killed Donnchad I of Scotland.

This first castle was sacked by King Robert I of Scotland. The replacement castle was stormed again in 1491 by Clan Mackintosh and various other Scottish clans. Mackintosh then garrisoned the castle. During the Civil War the castle was defended against Royalists, who took the castle for a short time in 1649 only to be later driven out by parliamentary forces. The castle was destroyed by Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite rebellion in 1745.

Today Inverness Castle houses the Inverness Sheriff Court. It is a popular tourist attraction, with people coming to see the commanding views over the city. The castle stands out from various points along the river. In front of the castle is a statue of Flora MacDonald.