|
Inverness Castle stands on top of a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. It is a red sand stone structure built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. It is rumoured that the murder of Duncan in Shakespear's Mabeth took place on the older site. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a castle at this site for many centuries.
The castle itself is not open to the public but the grounds are. From the top of the hill you can get some great views to the west of the town and of the River Ness.
A succession of castles has stood on this site since 1057. The castle is said to have been built by Máel Coluim III of Scotland, after he had razed to the ground the castle in which Macbeth of Scotland according to much later tradition, murdered Máel Coluim's father Donnchad I of Scotland, and which stood on a hill around 1 km to the north-east.
The first Inverness Castle was partially destroyed by King Robert I of Scotland and a replacement castle was sacked in the 15th century.
In 1427 King James I of Scotland held a parliament in the castle to which the northern chieftains were summoned, of whom three were executed for asserting an independent sovereignty.
The current Inverness Castle was built in 1836 on the site of the old one which was destroyed in 1746.
| 
