9 September 2026
The Queen at the Castle Gates
Mary, Queen of Scots in Inverness, 1562
When Mary, Queen of Scots, arrived in Inverness on 9 September 1562, she probably wasn't expecting to be turned away.
A Royal Visit
Her visit is one of the most frequently recounted episodes in Inverness's history. It is particularly associated with the events at Inverness Castle, where those in charge refused to admit her.
Although the castle was an important fortress, it was not somewhere a queen and her household would normally have stayed. Contemporary accounts describe it as poorly furnished and unsuitable for accommodation. Even so, being denied entry was a serious slight, and the incident quickly became one of the most talked-about events of her northern progress.
Her visit is one of the most frequently recounted episodes in Inverness's history. It is particularly associated with the events at Inverness Castle, where those in charge refused to admit her.
Although the castle was an important fortress, it was not somewhere a queen and her household would normally have stayed. Contemporary accounts describe it as poorly furnished and unsuitable for accommodation. Even so, being denied entry was a serious slight, and the incident quickly became one of the most talked-about events of her northern progress.
Not the Castle We See Today
The Inverness Castle that Mary, Queen of Scots encountered in 1562 no longer exists. The illustration shown here depicts the earlier fortress that stood on the castle hill during her visit.
The red sandstone building that occupies the site today, now home to the Inverness Castle Experience, was built in the nineteenth century, more than 250 years after Mary visited Inverness.
The Inverness Castle that Mary, Queen of Scots encountered in 1562 no longer exists. The illustration shown here depicts the earlier fortress that stood on the castle hill during her visit.
The red sandstone building that occupies the site today, now home to the Inverness Castle Experience, was built in the nineteenth century, more than 250 years after Mary visited Inverness.
So Where Did She Stay?
If Mary was not staying at the castle, where did she spend her time in Inverness?
The simple answer is that nobody knows for certain.
No contemporary account appears to record exactly where the Queen lodged. Yet for more than a century, local newspapers and historical articles suggested that a building known as Queen Mary's House was the most likely location. References to the connection appeared repeatedly between 1858 and 1962, showing just how firmly the idea became attached to the building.
Queen Mary's House
The house stood near the bridge below castle hill in Inverness, making it a convenient place for the Queen and her entourage to stay. While none of the reports offered definitive proof, several writers considered it the strongest candidate.
The building itself would have looked very different from the version that appeared in later photographs and drawings. Over the centuries it was altered and rebuilt, leaving only its oldest features largely untouched.
The house stood near the bridge below castle hill in Inverness, making it a convenient place for the Queen and her entourage to stay. While none of the reports offered definitive proof, several writers considered it the strongest candidate.
The building itself would have looked very different from the version that appeared in later photographs and drawings. Over the centuries it was altered and rebuilt, leaving only its oldest features largely untouched.
The Surviving Vaults
The stone-vaulted cellars shown here are believed to date from around the time of Mary's visit and may be among the oldest surviving structures in Inverness. Although the building known as Queen Mary's House was altered beyond recognition, the vaults are believed to still survive today. Whether Mary ever entered them cannot be proved, but they remain a fascinating link to the Inverness she knew in 1562.
An Unsolved Mystery
The question of where Mary stayed in Inverness remains unanswered. Yet the surviving vaults, together with the castle illustration and the newspaper reports that kept the story alive for more than a century, offer a fascinating glimpse into one of the most memorable royal visits in the town's history.
Today, more than 460 years after Mary, Queen of Scots visited Inverness, the story continues to captivate visitors and historians alike. While the mystery may never be solved, it remains an intriguing chapter in the history of Inverness and a reminder of the dramatic events that unfolded during the Queen's northern journey.
Thanks to some help with the details from our friends at the Highland Archive Centre.