Paying admission to get locked in a barren cell? At Inveraray Jail, it is worth it. The former prison turned museum manages to bridge the gap between tourist attraction and meaningful infotainment and delves into the darker parts of Scottish history. Small as it was, Inveraray was the seat of the Duke of Argyll and thus, the town came to be of central importance. The prison and the courthouse were opened in 1820 and prisoners from all over the area were brought here, not only men, but also women and children. Due to overcrowding, an additional building had to be constructed but the whole jail eventually shut down in 1889, when larger prisons in the bigger cities took over.
A visit to Inveraray Jail includes a tour through the different wings of the prison and even a trial lock-up in the cells and courtyard cage. Visitors can read stories about the inmates who were locked up in those cells, sit in the restored courtroom and listen to trials and meet the warden and prison guards, all dressed up in authentic period costumes. Coincidentally, Inveraray Jail is believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Scotland and has many ghost sightings to report.
Practical Info
Inverary Jail is located in the small town of Inverary on the banks of Loch Fyne, about 90 kilometers north of Glasgow. The prison is open year round except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Opening hours in the summer months are from 9:30am to 6pm and from November till March from 10am to 5pm.
Address: Main Street, Inveraray, United Kingdom, Scotland
Hours: In the summer months, opening hours are from 9:30am to 6pm and from November till March from 10am to 5pm.
Admission: Adults £9.50, Children 5-16 £5.50, Children Under 5 are free
Current seat of the Clan Campbell and the hereditary seat of the dukes of Argyll since the 15th century, Inveraray Castle is considered one of Scotland’s most visually stunning stately homes. Built from 1745 to 1790 on the shores of Loch Fyne, the castle was designed by Roger Morris and boasts turrets and battlements that look right from the pages of a fairytale. The exterior was used to represent the fictional Duneagle Castle in the hit TV series Downton Abbey.
The castle interior has a well-maintained collection of eighteenth century French furnishings, art and a sizable armory hall displaying more than 1,300 weapons — dirks, muskets, pole-arms and axes. Tours through the castle recount the rise of the Clan Campbell. Visitors will also find a tearoom serving scones and other light snacks, as well as a gift shop selling Scottish souvenirs.
Practical Info
The gardens grounds of Inveraray Castle are quite large and offer several beautiful walks, but be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
