1 May 2025

Competition to Name Flora’s Pup – Your Friend around Inverness Castle Experience

The Inverness Castle Experience is launching an exciting competition for primary school children and Gaelic medium pupils from across the Highlands to find a name for Flora MacDonald’s dog! This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the Castle’s story…

Since 1896, Flora MacDonald and her Border Collie have stood proudly in the gardens of Inverness Castle in a striking bronze statue designed by Andrew Davidson. While there is no historical record of the dog’s name, we thought it was time to bring this special pup to life in a new lead role—as a friendly guide for younger visitors, helping them navigate their journey through the experience and its stories. But first, this castle companion needs a name!

This initiative is part of the wider Inverness Castle project, a key development within the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal; a joint investment of up to £315 million from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The deal aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth across the region. 

Young participants are also invited to share a short story, poem or picture explaining the inspiration behind their chosen name and a story about the pup's adventures in the Castle or having fun in the place they live. Whether the name is a link to Highland history or something more contemporary, a connection to this region, or simply a name that sparks the imagination, we want to hear the creative tales behind their ideas. 

This is a chance to be part of the story and help shape the future of The Inverness Castle Experience!

Cllr Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness City and Area and Co-chair of the Inverness Castle Project Delivery Group, said: “We are so excited to invite all Highland primary school children, including Gaelic medium pupils, to participate in this unique opportunity. This competition celebrates creativity and connection; we can’t wait to see the fantastic names and stories they come up with.”

Michael Golding, Chair of High Life Highland’s Board of Directors, added: “This lovable Border Collie will become the mascot of the Inverness Castle Experience, helping young visitors discover the magic of the Highlands engagingly and interactively. Giving the pup a name is the first step in bringing this special character to life!”

The Inverness Castle Experience project, opening later this year, will benefit from £30m in investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other partners.   

For more information and to enter the competition, click here.