Ardkeen Tower

Castle Hill has long been the site of a fortification. Most of these were utilitarian, but strong. The present day castle is essentially a baronial folly. Yet most Invernessians feel a strong affection for this bright pink sandstone edifice and wouldn't care for a more dignified building, even if our modern day civic developments were to give us any cause for optimism in that regard.

Yet overshadowed by Inverness castle, there lies one of the most aesthetically pleasing pieces of architecture in the Highland capital: Ardkeen Tower.

Little is known about this building's history except that the construction was finished in 1840. The name of the architect is unknown. Yet in terms of contruction it has an elegant portico and a fine lead dome. The building was used as an observatory for some time. Due to its small size and some of the other houses on Castle Hill, it is easy to miss this. But to natives of Inverness, it is an attractive landmark. When the oblique sunshine of afternoon strikes its dome, it is a stand out feature of one of the most beautiful areas of Inverness.