Archaeology Notes

Event ID 661592

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/661592

NH64NE 9 6664 4510

(NH 6664 4510) Castle {NR} (Ruin)

OS 25"map, (1868).

Not to be confused with (successor) Fort George at Ardersier (NH 7625 5670), for which see NH75NE 3.

The castle of Inverness, on Castlehill, is said to have been built variously by David I c.1141 (E S Armitage 1912 and Inverness official Guide 1957), or by Malcolm Canmore (11th century) (F R Fappie 1908 and OSA 1793). It has been occupied by Edward I, Bruce, James I, III, & IV, and in 1562 was attacked and razed by Mary, Queen of Scots. It was again almost destroyed by the Royalists in 1649, and was finally destroyed by Prince Charles Edward in 1746. Additions were made to it between 1508 and 1540. All that remains of the old castle is the well, discovered and restored in 1909, the stairway leading to Castle Street, and part of the old rampart wall between Castle Street and the Castle Hill itself. The present County buildings were built on the site in 1834-46 (Inverness Official Guide 1957 and G Eyre-Todd 1923). The original castle was a square tower (R Pococke 1760), and in the reign of George II, the site was transformed into a square by adding barracks on each side and a governor's house on the north side. There was also a chapel and other buildings on the south side of the castle.

R Pococke 1760; Statistical Account (OSA) 1793; J Anderson 1831; J Grahame 1831; F R Frappie 1908; E S Armitage 1912; G Eyre-Todd 1923; Inverness Official Guide 1957.

No trace of antiquity remains about the present buildings on Castlehill, except the well in the courtyard.

Visited by OS (W D J), 1 April 1960.