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6 October 2025

Time Capsules Lowered into Historic Well at The Inverness Castle Experience

Two specially created time capsules have been officially lowered into the original well within the new Saltire Bistro, marking a unique moment in the development of the Inverness Castle Experience.

Primary 7 pupils from North Kessock Primary School with loal Cllrs and Head of Inverness CastleThe Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

Pupils from North Kessock Primary School – whose thoughtful entry was selected as the winner of a Highland-wide schools competition last year – attended alongside councillors, project partners and representatives from the project team.

Primary 7 pupils Isla McManus, Archie Nicholson, Callum Ross and Ava-Mae Stuart attended on behalf of their class, accompanied by acting head teacher Andrea Millar.

Their school was chosen from entries across the Highlands for their thoughtful selection of five items, which they felt best captured the life and times of the region in 2023. These are:

  • A personal diary from homeschooling during the Covid-19 lockdown, including newspaper clippings;

  • A ribbon with Scots writing and the date to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III;

  • A selection of coins in use in 2023, as well as a £5 Scottish note;

  • A photograph of North Kessock and Inverness from the air, including diesel and petrol cars;

  • An iPhone.

These items have now been carefully sealed in a time capsule and suspended in the historic well at the heart of Inverness Castle, where they will remain for over 50 years.

A second time capsule includes five items that emerged as popular themes from schools across the Highlands:

  • Nessie;

  • A dream ring from Harry Gow’s bakery;

  • Logos of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County football clubs;

  • A diary entry from a Highland pupil welcoming a young person from Ukraine to their school;

  • Newspaper clippings covering Highland news stories.

Councillor Ian Brown, Co-Chair of the Inverness Castle Experience Delivery Group, said: “This is a historic moment – quite literally. These capsules reflect the voices and choices of Highland pupils today, offering a window into our world for future generations. It’s brilliant to see this come together in such a meaningful way.”

"The well, located within the Saltire Bistro – part of the new visitor experience – now holds two time capsules that will remain in place for over 50 years."

Councillor Sarah Atkin, Ward Member for the Black Isle, commented: “This is a wonderful way of honouring the creativity and insight of young people across the Highlands. It’s an honour to share today with North Kessock Primary pupils.  These time capsules are their generation’s gift to the future – a moment of our present captured for history.”

Garry Marsden, Head of Inverness Castle Experience, said: “The Saltire Bistro will be a place for people to gather, relax and enjoy the view over the city – and now, hidden just beneath it, a piece of Highland history will be quietly waiting to be discovered again one day.”

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