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The gilded pipes of the Willis organ and the carved wooden pulpit inside the Old High Church, Inverness.
Inverness

Old High Church

The oldest church in Inverness, on St Michael's Mount above the River Ness, where Jacobite prisoners were held after Culloden, with a curfew bell rung every evening.

Welcome

On a low rise above the River Ness, called St Michael's Mount, stands the oldest church in Inverness.

Tradition says that St Columba converted the Pictish King Brude here, and a church has stood on the spot since the Middle Ages. The present building was finished in 1772, but the lower part of its tower is older still, and since 1703 a curfew bell has rung from it every evening.

Its darkest chapter came after Culloden in 1746, when Jacobite prisoners were held in the tower, tried in the church and shot in the kirkyard.

Inside there is a gallery and box pews beneath an open timber roof, a fine Willis organ, and stained glass by some of Scotland's best makers, with the colours and memorials of the Cameron Highlanders. It is now owned by the community, and opens at set times; the old kirkyard can be walked at any time.

Round the cornerMcBain's by the RiverA small family-run restaurant on Bank Street by the River Ness in Inverness, cooking local seafood, Highland venison and beef to order.1 min by roadSee itSliced bread in a wooden bowl beside butter and a gin glass
Before you go

The kirkyard can be walked at any time.

The church itself opens at set times, on Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings.

Where
Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EY.
Built
1772, on a medieval site.
Open
Friday 2 to 4pm; Sunday 11am to 12.30pm.
Where it is

On Church Street in the centre of Inverness, on a rise above the River Ness, IV1 1EY.

Close byInverness.
  1. Leakey's BookshopLeakey's BookshopBooks in the old Gaelic church along the street.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. The Walrus & CorkscrewThe Walrus & CorkscrewUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Rows of coffee bags on a wooden dresser under a "Good Coffee Good Day" signInverness Coffee Roasting CoUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. Hootananny's frontage on Church Street at dusk, gold lettering over arched windows lit purple and blue.HootanannyFolk music on Church Street.Under a mile1 min by road
  5. Culloden Visitor CentreCulloden Visitor CentreThe battlefield east of the city.7 miles13 min by road
Directions
Sliced bread in a wooden bowl beside butter and a gin glassRestaurantsMcBain's by the RiverA step away
Corner building with green shopfront reading "Black Isle Bar, Craft Beer & Wood-Fired PizzasRestaurantsBlack Isle BarA step away
Crispy-skinned salmon fillet on risotto, garnished with pea shoots and herb oilRestaurantsThe Mustard SeedA step away
Macaroni cheese served in a mini skillet with garlic bread and saladRestaurantsCafe Artysans0.2 miles
Red iron arches line a covered market hall with shopfronts either sideAttractionsThe Victorian Market0.2 miles
Coyote's café storefront with an Open sign and pavement blackboardRestaurantsCoyote Burger0.2 miles
Caledonian Sleeper carriage waiting at a station platform under a glass roofAttractionsCaledonian Sleeper0.3 miles
River Ness Walk, InvernessAttractionsRiver Ness Walk0.3 miles
Xoko Bakehouse and Coffee Bar shopfront with a chalkboard brunch menu displayed outsideCafeXOKO Bakehouse0.3 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the church, 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
  • 7 miles from the Old High Church
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
  • 7 miles from the Old High Church
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
  • 7 miles from the Old High Church
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
  • 7 miles from the Old High Church
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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