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STV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Vision to transform Inverness Castle into tourist attraction moves closer to reality
A nine-year vision to transform Inverness Castle from an ageing court building into a tourist attraction is a step closer to reality. STV News was given rare access earlier this week to see inside the historic site, which has been under wraps behind barriers for several years. Work is still under way, but what's taking shape promises to be a unique and immersive experience that will celebrate Highland culture, history, and storytelling. The £40m project includes cutting-edge interactive technology, designed to guide visitors on a two-hour journey through the spirit of the Highlands. Amy MacLeod of High Life Highland said: 'We're inviting people to discover the spirit of the Highlands through authentic stories gathered from communities across the region. It's about history, culture, language and, most importantly, the people who live here.' The project has faced setbacks including Brexit-related delays and industry-wide labour shortages, but the team behind it remains optimistic. Jason Kelman from Highland Council, who has overseen the transformation, said: 'It's the iconic building in Inverness, on postcards, in photos. To be part of its refurbishment has been a real privilege. I'm proud of how far we've come.' There's still no confirmed opening date but after nine years in the making, the rebirth of Inverness Castle is finally within sight. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish castle's £39m transformation into ‘world class' visitor attraction delayed
The castle is set to open as a visitor attraction. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish castle, which was set to reopen in the summer, is now facing a delay. The opening of a £39 million transformation of Inverness Castle to create a 'world class' visitor attraction has been pushed back from the planned reopening this summer - with completion now expected later this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Leading figures guiding the ambitious redevelopment put the delay down to labour shortages on the contract as well as issues with materials. The Inverness Castle Experience, which involves Highland Council and Highlife Highland, is set to transform the castle from its past uses as a prison and courtroom to a visitor attraction. A virtual guide in the form of a dog named Cuillin will lead younger guests through the experience. A bistro and bar will also be part of the site. The reasons for delays are due to labour shortages and issues with materials. | PA The cost of the work is being covered by £34.5m in funding, including £30m from the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, external , and £5.5m in borrowing. The borrowing is to be repaid from the castle's revenue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make sure you keep up to date with Heritage and History news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here. Labour shortages and issues with materials Speaking to the Inverness Courier, Jason Kelman, the principal project manager of the Inverness Castle Experience, said: 'We hope to have the buildings completed by mid-August and the landscaping of the exterior completed by mid-September. 'Two issues have held us back - labour shortages on the contract, partly through our focus on favouring local sub-contractors at a time when construction projects in the Highlands are booming and local sub-contractors spreading themselves thin. 'Secondly, there have been issues with materials, with the stonework all natural stone. At times, what's been quarried has hit seams where the quality is not quite what we expect and therefore a lot of stone has had to be rejected. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Inverness Castle is facing a slight delay. | Universal Images Group via Getty 'But for projects of this nature and scale, on a grade A-listed structure, it is always going to be complicated and challenging and there are many examples where budgets and timescales have been far over-run. 'I've got 35 years of experience in the construction industry and I think we've done pretty well on this project. 'To be where we are, hopefully just a matter of weeks late, I'm really pleased with the progress and the great quality of work that we have seen put in place.' Inverness Castle's history The sandstone Inverness Castle was built in 1830s and 40s to plans drawn by architect William Burn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, a castle had occupied the site from possibly as far back as the 11th Century. Over the centuries, the site fell under the control of the forces of Edward I, Robert the Bruce and James I, II and IV. Inverness Castle pictured in 1936. |In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots, was denied entry to the castle by George Gordon, Earl of Huntly. After a three-day siege by her supporters, the keeper Alexander Gordon was captured and hanged. Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces blew the castle up in 1746 to prevent it from falling into the hands of government troops. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
The iconic Scottish castle with history linked to Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots
The castle undergoing a redevelopment is expected to reopen later this year An iconic castle with links to two of Scotland's most famous monarchs is set to open its doors to the public again this year. However, the multi-million pound redevelopment has been delayed. The long-awaited opening of Inverness Castle as a new £30million visitor attraction has been pushed back from the planned re-opening this summer, with completion now expected later this year. The redevelopment project began in 2022 and involves transforming the former sheriff court and prison into the Inverness Castle Experience, a flagship tourism initiative led by Highland Council and High Life Highland. A spokesperson for the project said the scheme was 'a complex and specialised project', with the main construction phase still ongoing but nearing completion. Once open, the new attraction will take visitors on an interactive journey through the history, myths and landscapes of the Highlands. A virtual guide in the form of a dog named Cuillin will lead younger guests through the experience. A bistro and bar will also be part of the new offering. Earlier this year, a recruitment day was held to showcase the range of jobs being created as part of the project, which is supported by the £315million Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. In February, Highlands and Islands Enterprise increased its contribution by £863,000, bringing its total investment to £2.86million. Perched on Castle Hill overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle comprises two castellated buildings designed by renowned architect William Burn. The courthouse dates back to the 1830s, while the adjoining prison wing was completed in the 1840s. But the site's history stretches far beyond the Victorian era. A fortification has stood on Castle Hill since at least the 11th century, when King David I established a timber and earth castle. It replaced a stronghold previously razed by his father, Malcolm III, who defeated rival Macbeth. Over time, the site witnessed turbulent chapters involving Robert the Bruce, James I, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. During the Wars of Independence, Robert the Bruce destroyed an earlier stone-built castle in 1308 to stop English forces using it. James I later arrested and imprisoned rebellious Highland chiefs here in 1428, prompting years of retaliatory attacks from the Lords of the Isles. In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots, was denied entry to the castle by George Gordon, Earl of Huntly. After a three-day siege by her supporters, the keeper Alexander Gordon was captured and hanged. The castle changed hands repeatedly in the 17th century, occupied at various times by Royalists, Covenanters, and British government troops. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie ordered the castle destroyed. According to legend, a French soldier triggered the explosion, and was blown across the river, while his poodle survived. The site lay derelict until the 19th century, when the present courthouse and prison were constructed. It later became the seat of Inverness-shire Constabulary and remained in use until the courts service relocated in 2020. The grounds still contain the original medieval well, and the striking statue of Highland heroine Flora MacDonald, completed in 1896 by local sculptor Andrew Davidson, still looks out across the River Ness.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Scots city's ‘busiest street' set for 20mph limit in major driving rule change
The local authority gave a statement on the proposals A BUSY street in a Scots city could be slapped with a 20mph speed limit. Parents in Inverness raised concerns over the speed of traffic passing Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, the Gaelic primary school. 1 Sir Walter Scott Drive could be slapped with a 20mph restriction Credit: Google The city's Sir Walter Scott Drive currently has a 40mph restriction and is a key route serving housing developments and retail parks. But Highland Council has opened consultation on proposals to introduce a part-time 20mph speed limit. If approved, the restriction would run from a point almost 150 metres east of the junction with Ivanhoe Avenue - the road used to access the Asda and Three Witches bar - and extend westward for 341 metres, the Inverness Courier reports. It's understood the move would be a safety measure aimed at protecting both pupils at Gaelic Primary and Inverness Royal Academy. The council says it would have "very little" impact on traffic flow. In a statement, the local authority said: "The Highland Council aim to promote the safe and efficient use of the roads they are responsible for. "Where these roads link towns, villages and cities, there are frequently competing pressures between their strategic purpose, and community interests relating to safety and amenity. "In the interests of road safety and casualty reduction and the furtherance of council policy to promote road safety on its road network, it is proposed to introduce a part time 20 mile per hour speed limit on a section of the A8082 at BunSgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, which will be consistent with other similar routes and is appropriate to the function and nature of the road." The public consultation is running until August 8. Elsewhere, we told how a city-wide 20mph speed limit is set to be rolled out across Glasgow - impacting almost 4,000 streets. Maniac Scots driver swerving through traffic at 82mph in 20mph zone It's hoped the safer speed restrictions will deter more people from driving in quieter and less congested neighbourhoods.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Busy Inverness road could have part-time 20mph limit
A part-time 20mph speed limit could be introduced on a section of Sir Walter Scott Drive - one of Inverness' busiest Council is consulting on introducing the restriction during drop-off and pick-up times at Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, a Gaelic school near the local authority said the parent council had raised concerns about the speeds of some vehicles passing the road, which is also known as the Southern Distributor Road, has a 40mph limit and it provides a link to various housing developments, retail parks and the busy Inshes Roundabout. Highland Council said the proposed 20mph limit, first reported in the Inverness Courier, was for a short section of road, and it expected it would have "very little" impact on traffic public consultation is running until 8 August.
