Intruders to grand Scottish Highlands castle foiled by guard dogs

The use of “canine patrols” at the site - which is closed during its £30m transformation of the former prison and courtrooms into a major cultural attraction - has been praised following the security breach.

A statement from High Life Highland, which runs cultural and leisure sites in the region, said the alarm was raised on December 30 with the control room at Scotguard, the security firm contracted to guard the site.

The statement said: “A response team, including canine support, was dispatched and arrived at the site within 10 minutes.

“The team quickly located the trespassers, and two individuals were apprehended and Police Scotland were called to attend. An inspection of the site revealed no damage to the premises.

“The Highland Council and High Life Highland are committed to ensuring the safety and security of Inverness Castle and remind the public to respect restricted areas to help preserve this iconic site.”

Dogs are being deployed at the site as part of a range of increased security measures as the development moves into its final stages. The Inverness Castle Museum is due to open later this year.

The castle has been fitted with intruder detection devices around the perimeter with “K-9 Response Teams” on stand-by.

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Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness City and Area and Co-chair of the Inverness Castle Project Delivery Group, The Highland Council, said: “The safety and security of the site during this crucial phase are paramount, and our collaboration with Scotguard ensures that these priorities are upheld.

“From a canine presence and other security measures, their work allows us to focus on transforming The Inverness Castle Experience as we approach completion.”

Allan Maguire, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at The Highland Council, added: “Partnering with Scotguard has already delivered tangible results, including the swift handling of an intrusion on-site. Their professionalism and expertise give us confidence that the site is well-protected as we prepare to welcome the public.”

The Inverness Castle Experience will share the stories of the Highlands, bringing to life the people, landscapes, and culture of the region in what is being hailed as a “world-class attraction” funded by the Scottish Government, UK Government, Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.