The Old High Church, Inverness

Why go

From the riverside, the church and tower show where Inverness’s old town met the Ness. The eighteenth-century building, older worship traditions and historic kirkyard give the site more depth than a quick view of its façade suggests. Its tower anchors the old skyline.

What to look for

• The eighteenth-century church and tower stand above the River Ness.
• The historic kirkyard sits beside the old town church.
• The building occupies a site associated with worship since early Christian times.

The full story

The Old High Church occupies a site above the River Ness associated with worship since early Christian times. Tradition links its congregation to St Columba, although the building visible today mainly dates from the eighteenth century. That gap between site and structure is central to understanding the place: its long religious history is older than its stone walls. The Old High served as Inverness’s historic town church and retains a prominent tower and kirkyard near the river. Its congregation later united with St Stephen’s in 2003, and the combined name referred to two church buildings, not to a single structure here. St Stephen’s stands separately on Southside Road. The Old High building has since moved into community ownership, with plans for a heritage and cultural role. When you see it from outside, the useful story is therefore one of continuity and change at a long-used city site, rather than a promise of routine entry.

Useful to know

• Approach it as an exterior heritage stop and check the operator’s events for possible interior visits.
• Use the Old High location by the river; St Stephen’s is a separate building on Southside Road.

Your next visit

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