Latest news with #InvernessCastleExperience
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Plan to fence off Inverness Castle with railings
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. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds 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. The Inverness Castle Experience Highland Council
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Plan to fence off Inverness Castle with railings
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. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds 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. The Inverness Castle Experience Highland Council
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Inverness Castle ticket prices announced
Entry fees for Inverness Castle have been former sheriff court and prison is being redeveloped as a visitor attraction at a cost of about £30m, and is due to open later this Life Highland (HLH), which will operate the site, has released the ticket prices which range from the cheapest - £14 for a child - to up to £65 for a family of two adults and three said deals would be available to Highland residents. The redevelopment has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region the Inverness Castle Experience, it will have an interactive "journey" taking visitors through the history of the Highlands. How much will tickets cost? HLH said tickets would be cheaper if booked online in costs include:Adult - £20 (online)/£22Seniors - £18/£20Child - £14/£16Family (two adults and two children) - £46/£54Family (two adults and three children) £55/£65HLH said Highland residents who pay for its High Life Highland card would have access to more booking options, and 10% discount on food and drinks after purchasing full-price tickets. Ian Brown, a councillor and co-chairman of Inverness Castle Delivery Group, has welcomed ticket deals for Highland added: "The Inverness Castle Experience is set to become a key landmark in the region and ensuring that our Highland communities can enjoy it throughout the year is a great move. "This initiative encourages local engagement and fosters pride in our heritage and Highland stories."The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service moved out of the castle in 2020, and Highland Council has been leading the month, public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) put an extra £863,000 towards the project. What is the castle's history? The sandstone Inverness Castle was built in 1836 to plans drawn by architect William 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 a castle had occupied the site from possibly as far back as the 11th the centuries, the fortification fell under the control of the forces of Edward I, Robert the Bruce and James I, II and 1562, it was attacked and damaged by soldiers loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, before it was almost destroyed by Royalist troops in the Prince Charlie's forces blew the castle up in 1746 to prevent it from falling into the hands of government was said that a French sergeant, who had brought his poodle with him to Scotland, set off the soldier was caught in the blast, and his body was blown across to the opposite side of the River Ness. His dog survived.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Extra public money for Inverness Castle project
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is putting an extra £863,000 towards the Inverness Castle Experience Project. The property dates back to the 1840s and was used to be a court, but it is now being transformed into a visitor attraction. HIE said the additional funding will be used to cover some "unforeseen structural works and repairs". It will also be used to enhance the visitor experience in the castle's north tower. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds The extra funding brings HIE's total investment in the project to £2.86m. The Inverness Castle Experience is due to open later this year. Boss sought for Inverness Castle visitor destination In pictures: Revamp of Inverness Castle takes shape Inverness Castle redevelopment approved
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Extra money needed for Inverness Castle project
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is putting an extra £863,000 towards the Inverness Castle Experience property dates back to the 1840s and was used to be a court, but it is now being transformed into a visitor said the additional funding will be used to cover some "unforeseen structural works and repairs".It will also be used to enhance the visitor experience in the castle's north tower. The extra funding brings HIE's total investment in the project to £ Inverness Castle Experience is due to open later this year.
