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A twin-towered sandstone church rises above a riverbank lined with bare trees, terraced buildings visible along the far side of the water.
Inverness

Inverness Cathedral

St Andrew's Cathedral on the riverbank in Inverness, a red sandstone Gothic church of 1869, one of the first new cathedrals in Britain since the Reformation.

Welcome

On the west bank of the River Ness, facing the castle across the water, stands a cathedral of warm red stone with two stout towers.

St Andrew's was built between 1866 and 1869 to the design of a local architect, Alexander Ross, and it was one of the first new cathedrals completed in Britain since the Reformation. The towers were meant to carry tall spires, but the money ran out.

Inside, it is richer than the plain outline suggests. Pillars of polished Peterhead granite run down the nave to a carved wooden screen, and beyond it a stone altar and reredos stand beneath three tall windows. The floors are laid with patterned tiles and the glass is by John Hardman. Look for the angel font, modelled on Thorvaldsen, and the icons given by the Tsar of Russia.

It is the mother church of the Episcopal diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness, open daily. Private tours reach parts of the building otherwise closed.

Before you go

Open every day, 9am to 6pm, according to the cathedral; services through the week.

Tours can be booked.

Where
Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NN.
Built
1866 to 1869.
Open
Daily, 9am to 6pm.

Opening hours

Monday
9am–6pm
Tuesday
9am–6pm
Wednesday
9am–6pm
Thursday
9am–6pm
Friday
9am–6pm
Saturday
9am–6pm
Sunday
9am–6pm

Did you know

A twin-towered red sandstone cathedral rises above bare trees on a street corner, a parked car and lamp post in front of its railings.
Did you know

Spires never built.

The two towers were designed to carry spires, never built for lack of money.

A pointed stained-glass window depicting two robed figures sits within a carved stone arch above wooden pews.
Did you know

A gift from the Tsar.

The cathedral holds icons presented by the Tsar of Russia.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Inverness-shire

Facing the castle across the River Ness, St Andrew's is a cathedral of warm red stone with two square towers. It was built between 1866 and 1869 to a design by a local architect, Alexander Ross, and it was one of the first new cathedrals completed in Britain since the Reformation. The towers were meant to carry tall spires, but the money ran out. Inside it is richer than the plain outline suggests, with pillars of polished Peterhead granite, patterned tiled floors and an angel font. Look too for the icons given by the Tsar of Russia.

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Where it is

On Ardross Street on the west bank of the River Ness, across from the castle.

Close byInverness.
  1. St Andrew's CathedralSt Andrew's CathedralSt Andrew's, a Scottish Episcopal cathedral, was the first Protestant cathedral built in Great Britain after the ReformationUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Eden Court Theatre and CinemaEden Court Theatre and CinemaTheatre and film next door.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. RocpoolRocpoolUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. XOKO BakehouseXOKO BakehouseUnder a mile1 min by road
  5. River Ness WalkRiver Ness WalkThe riverside walk outside.Under a mile2 min by road
  6. Inverness CastleInverness CastleThe castle across the river.Under a mile3 min by road
Directions
Curved building with large "Imaginarium" banner above a wooden fenceAttractionsInverness Museum and Art Gallery0.4 miles
Castlegallery shopfront with hanging flower baskets above the window displayShoppingCastle Gallery0.4 miles
Crispy-skinned salmon fillet on risotto, garnished with pea shoots and herb oilRestaurantsThe Mustard Seed0.4 miles
Kitchen Brasserie restaurant with orange awning and windbreak barriers on street cornerRestaurantsThe Kitchen0.5 miles
Sliced bread in a wooden bowl beside butter and a gin glassRestaurantsMcBain's by the River0.5 miles
The gilded pipes of the Willis organ and the carved wooden pulpit inside the Old High Church, Inverness.AttractionsOld High Church0.5 miles
Wrought-iron bracket holds "The Walrus & Corkscrew" sign against a stone buildingRestaurantsThe Walrus & Corkscrew0.6 miles
Spiral staircase links galleried floors of packed bookshelves in a domed bookshopAttractionsLeakey's Bookshop0.6 miles
Rows of coffee bags on a wooden dresser under a "Good Coffee Good Day" signCafeInverness Coffee Roasting Co0.6 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cathedral, and when each is next free.

A white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Inverness
  • 6 miles from Inverness Cathedral
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Ivy Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Inverness
  • 6 miles from Inverness Cathedral
Check datesA stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.South Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Inverness
  • 6 miles from Inverness Cathedral
Check datesA pink harled house with turreted gables and stepped chimneys stands among pine trees behind a dry stone wall.Gatehouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Inverness
  • 6 miles from Inverness Cathedral
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in InvernessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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