Perched prominently on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle serves as a red sandstone icon of the “Capital of the Highlands.” While the current structure was built in 1836 by architect William Burn, the site itself has been a strategic stronghold since the 11th century.

Historically, it is famously associated with Macbeth, though the real King Macbeth’s 11th-century fortress likely stood nearby rather than on the current site. Over the centuries, the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, notably during the Jacobite Risings when it was blown up by Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s army in 1746 to prevent it from falling back into government hands. Today, it is transitioning from its long-standing role as a courthouse into a world-class visitor experience celebrating Highland culture.