Inverness Castle Experience – Review with kids
Inverness Castle Experience: Review with kids – The newly opened Inverness Castle Experience received multi-million pound investment from both the UK and Scottish governments to transform and reopen this public building (a former courthouse and jail) to the public. 450,000 visitors are expected each year, so what can families expect?
Inverness Castle Experience
Basically the Inverness Castle team has delivered an absolute blinder, and the new attraction works brilliantly for all ages, including children (whose journey here has been carefully curated and considered). Firstly, it’s an ‘experience’ rather than a dry museum, think lights, sound, touchscreens, headsets, visuals etc. Here, visitors discover or rediscover their connection to the Highlands, and by extension to Scotland, its culture, history and industry.
Viewpoint
The Castle experience starts with a ‘king of the castle’ moment as guests are led to the rooftop turrets and towers of the building. Fantastic views take in the cityscape, River Ness, key buildings such as Inverness Cathedral, and surrounding nature such as Tomnahurich and Craig Phadrig. We visited on a grey day, and it was still impressive.
Inverness Castle Experience – South Tower
In the South Tower, before a mesmerisingly and beautifully illuminated Rose Window, you’re introduced to the seanchaidh or Story Teller, before following a self-guided tour through the stories of the Highlands, across a range of cleverly themed rooms.
Each room is striking, immersive and imaginative to look at, and focuses and educates on one topic. My son’s favourite rooms covered People and Culture – Olympians, shinty, curling, Highland dance and Highland games, touching on how and why communities come together in Scotland. Whilst he admired the shinty Camanachd cup, I was transfixed by shadows of Highland dancers performing on the walls. A lovely touch was stepping into a small turret to listen to traditional Gaelic psalm singing led by a precentor.
Another room covered our land and its resources – from wind to oil – but also talked of the folklore rich in our landscape, such as selkies and faeries. A textile room highlighted everything from tartan to knitting and traditional ganseys. And a space covering history tapped into the Jacobites, witchcraft, the Highland Clearances, colonialism, emigration and both World Wars. Scotland has faced it all!
The highlight was the Spirit Room, an audiovisual grande finale that summed up Scotland’s passion, panoramas, people and produce that (somehow) made me well up. I don’t usually find visitor attractions so emotive!
Self-Guided Tour at the Inverness Castle Experience
In terms of the self-guided aspect, I often find headsets a bit of a faff, but these are very easy to use and seamless, simply tap them against a QR code/symbol to listen to tales of Scotland. At low level, where little ones would reach, find codes next to a cute Border Collie called ‘Cuillin’. [At the entrance to the castle is a statue of key Jacobite Flora Macdonald, with her loyal Border Collie. This pup has been chosen as the castle’s guide and icon to lead young visitors around.] These child-friendly guides are a lovely touch. And if your wee one is a fan of ‘Cuillin’, there’s plenty of collie mementoes to pick up in the gift shop.
Inverness Castle Experience – North Tower
After exploring the South Tower, stride through the bistro to tackle the North Tower (the option to stop in the bistro for a break is yours). The North Tower features temporary yet quite long term exhibits. Currently you can experience the Tapestry Room – pieces on the Old Man of Storr and author Nan Shepherd jumped out a me. My son enjoyed making his own tapestry on an interactive screen.
A second exhibit on Scotland’s music focuses on the band Runrig. A highlight was a mixing desk where kids and big kids remix the music’s audio levels guitar.
Discover More Things to Do in Inverness …
Food & Drink at the Inverness Castle Experience
This is no measly museum café with a few limp sandwiches. The castle’s Saltire Bistro is a dining destination in its own right. Anyone can eat here, you don’t need a ticket to the castle, just walk in. The array of local producers on the menu is admirable and worth a mention – regarding the soft drinks alone I could choose between Summer House, Bon Accord, Walter Gregor, Nuisance, Kompassion Kombucha and Rapscallion Sodas, opting for a Bon Accord Rhubarb Soda. This menu deserves praise!
The cakes and traybakes are lush, I’d recommend the mocha sponge. The lunches hit the spot, there is a children’s menu but my son’s adult smoked salmon salad with parmesan croutons was notably good. The venison and cranberry sausage roll sounded so tasty it had sold out! So I stuck with a homely leek and potato soup with a cheese scone. Sunday Roasts are available, and you can book afternoon tea as well. Apparently it’s ‘more than afternoon tea — it’s a celebration of Highland heritage’.
Gift Shop at the Inverness Castle Experience
In the gift shop, again, think quality local produce rather than tourist tat. Scarves, jewellery, toys, books, toiletries, stationery, spirits and candles from Scotland make for tempting treats. The cutest stuffed toys and ‘Cuillin’ goodies please the children.
The Gardens
It’s also possible to stroll through the gardens, and appreciate their views over the river and native plants, at any time, for free.
History
Visitors will also gain info into the castle’s history itself. A fort was first built here in the 11th century by Malcolm III, and the last castle was destroyed by the Jacobites after their 1746 defeat at Culloden. In the 1830s the current building was erected as a civic building, a courtroom and jail.
Practical Info
The castle is open all year round, 1000-2000 April-October, and 1000-1800 November to March. I’d allow around four hours for a visit. For prices and tickets click here. A range of family tickets are available, but 2 adults and 2 children costs £46, 1 adult and 1 child is £24. Locals/Highlanders can receive a discount, get the details here.
There isn’t any parking for the general public onsite, but nearby city carparks include Castle Street Townhouse Car Park and Raining Stairs. We parked at Raining Stairs, easy to pay with a card, but I had to decide how long to stay when I arrived (rather than when I left), which is frustrating. On site at the castle there are four pre-bookable parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders. Inverness Castle has a lift, plus it’s wheelchair and buggy friendly.
For a short video review of Inverness Castle click here.
Where to Stay
There is a mix of accommodation in Inverness at different price points. We stayed at Lochardil House, which is in the city (on the outskirts) yet has that country house feel with its own gardens and woodland. This Victorian Mansion boasts an elegant conservatory where dinner and breakfast is served. The staff are notably friendly and welcoming. The twelve rooms in the original house are being redecorated (in Feb 2026), so watch this space, and we stayed in the modern Garden Wing (our room had its own patio and outdoors seating).
When it came to dining, my Highland Venison loin was done well, accompanied with simple veg such as sweed and carrots. The kids menu offers mains from £7.50 and dessert from £3, but my son tucked into a burger from the adults’ menu, followed by traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding. Check room prices and availablity here. We also admired the Tapestry Room (ideal for private dining and small events) – these vast tapestries were bought for the house in the 1920s, and they are copies of ‘The Windsor Set’ that hangs in Windsor Castle.
Lochardil House is a short five minute drive from the castle, with ample free parking on site. The hotel is part of the boutique group, Highland Coast Hotels, and if you are carrying on north (perhaps following the NC500) then I thoroughly recommend their Brora Royal Marine Hotel and a stop in Brora.
Discover more Things to Do in Inverness here…
To sum up, the Inverness Castle Experience is a game-changer for the city of Inverness. A family friendly day out that is as spellbinding as it is educational. Enjoy!
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