Accessibility has been at the heart at the development of The Inverness Castle Experience. Every effort has been made to ensure the site is welcoming and accessible to all, with thoughtful design features and facilities that make it easy for everyone to enjoy their visit.

Take a look at the guides from AccessAble for the Castle Experience. AccessAble provides the detailed information you need to determine whether a place will be accessible for you.

Getting to The Inverness Castle Experience

The main entrance to The Inverness Castle Experience is located on View Place, which is the recommended pedestrian route for wheelchair users. Alternative pedestrian access is available via Castle Wynd, though this route is not suitable for wheelchair users.

All entrances to The Inverness Castle Experience feature both stepped and ramped access, with electronic doors provided at entry points and throughout the building.

Accessible Parking

The Inverness Castle Experience has four parking spaces available for Blue Badge Holders and need to be pre-booked.

These parking spaces can be booked for either a 2‑hour slot, which is enough time to visit the shop and the Saltire Bistro, or a 3‑hour slot if you are visiting the Castle Experience. We also have a later time slot from around 3pm to 5.30pm, giving you more time in the evening to visit the Shop and Bistro.

Disabled parking is also available in The Castle Street car park nearby, as well as at other car parks within the city centre.

Arriving and Leaving the Castle

To ensure the safety of all visitors onsite, when you arrive for your pre-booked parking slot, a member of our team will escort you through the gardens to your designated parking space.

You will be asked to switch on your hazard lights to maintain a safe environment for all visitors as you drive through the gardens.

Your car keys will then be securely stored until you notify staff that you are ready to leave. At that time, a team member will escort you back through the gardens to your vehicle and assist with exiting the site.

Within The Inverness Castle Experience

The Inverness Castle Experience is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of one part of the South Tower viewing area (the Flag Tower). A lift is available in each of the North and South towers enabling access to all floors.

Do I need to bring my Plus One Scheme card when booking a Careers Pass?

Yes, if you are booking a Careers Pass and intend to use the Plus One Scheme (or your local equivalent), you must bring your valid Plus One card with you. Staff will check the card at the time of booking or entry to confirm eligibility for a companion ticket.

If you have a similar companion‑access card issued by another local authority, please bring that with you as well.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please speak to a Visitor Experience Assistant on arrival.

Hearing loops & British Sign Language (BSL)

Our audio guide is available in British Sign Language (BSL) on your own device. During the main part of the experience, there will also be larger BSL screens. Please speak to a Visitor Experience Assistant to help set this up.

Headphones can also be borrowed to use the audio guide with your hearing aid.

Audio Guides

The audio device provided on arrival offers the following languages: English, Dutch, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin.

Throughout the experience visitors can explore and discover stories by moving the audio guide over the beacon.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the The Inverness Castle Experience, Bistro, North Tower Bar and Castle Shop.

Toilets and Baby Changing

There is an accessible toilet located on each floor of the South Tower and on the ground and first floor of the North Tower. A changing places toilet is located on the ground floor of the North Tower.

Lifts

There are lifts in both the North and South Tower, allowing access to all the spaces in the experience. There is a Roof Terrace in the South Tower which is partially accessible via the platform lift onto the terrace, but the Flagpole Tower is inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Seating

There is seating throughout the experience and portable stools are available to borrow. Please speak to a Visitor Experience Assistant on arrival.

Shop

The shop is fully accessible. If you need any assistance please ask a member of the team.

The Saltire Bistro

It's fully accessible with table service for all visitors.