Groups are welcomed to The Inverness Castle Experience with timed entry, ensuring a smooth and comfortable visit. All visits are self-guided, with complimentary audio guides for the South Tower included with admission.

The visit begins in the South Tower, where sweeping panoramic views from the accessible roof terrace introduce an immersive, multi-sensory journey celebrating the spirit of the Highlands. Several exhibition areas within the South Tower operate on timed intervals with limited capacity. A managed one-way system ensures the best visitor experience, so larger groups will move through these areas in smaller numbers, and members of your group may complete the South Tower journey at different times.

The visit continues in the North Tower, where admission includes access to the North Tower Gallery and Ceilidh Rooms, which can be explored at leisure. Visitors are also welcome to explore non-ticketed areas, including exhibition interpretation in the West Tower*, Castle Gardens, and Saltire Bistro.

A minimum of two hours is recommended. Refreshments are available at the Saltire Bistro, and a full range of gifts and souvenirs can be found in the on-site shop.

*Due to private events, the West Tower may not be accessible during your visit.

Drop off

Coaches must arrive at the drop-off point 10 minutes before your booking time to allow time to enter The Inverness Castle Experience.  

There is no parking available at The Inverness Castle Experience.  Coaches can drop-off on Castle Street, maximum stay is 10 minutes.  Coaches can park for the duration of your visit at Torvean Car Park, on a first come, first serve basis. 

The Experience

Your group will be greeted on your coach 10 minutes before your booked entry time. Your group will be provided with their tickets, maps and audio guides before being accompanied into the Castle and to our Great Glen View roof terrace.

The Inverness Castle Experience has capacity for 20 people to enter every 10 minutes.  The first part of the immersive experience will see your group meet the Seanchaidh  - storyteller - and will last for 5 minutes, accommodating 10 visitors at a time.  Once your group has met the Seanchaidh the experience is free flow until our end show which will run every 15 minutes. 

Your group also has access to The Ceilidh Rooms and North Tower Gallery which house two guest exhibits.  This can be accessed through The Saltire Bistro and team members will be on hand to assist with directions. 

To fully experience everything, we recommend a minimum of 2 hours.  We suggest you allow an hour for your group to move through our immersive experience, and at least 45 minutes for The Ceilidh Rooms and North Tower Gallery. 

If your group is running more than 15 minutes late, we cannot guarantee entry to the immersive experience.

The Saltire Bistro

Group visitors are welcome to individually visit The Saltire Bistro. The Bistro is open all year serving breakfasts, light menu, lunch, sharers as well as a variety of hot & cold drinks.

Find our dining times and menus here.