Inverness Castle ticket prices announced

Entry fees for Inverness Castle have been revealed.

The 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 year.

High 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 children.

HLH said deals would be available to Highland residents.

The redevelopment has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.

Called the Inverness Castle Experience, it will have an interactive "journey" taking visitors through the history of the Highlands.

HLH said tickets would be cheaper if booked online in advance.

The costs include:

• Adult - £20 (online)/£22
• Seniors - £18/£20
• Child - £14/£16
• Family (two adults and two children) - £46/£54
• Family (two adults and three children) £55/£65

HLH 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 residents.

He 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 revamp.

Last month, public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) put an extra £863,000 towards the project.

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.