Living roof installed at Inverness Castle

The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315 million investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

The new living roof offers several benefits for the site. First and foremost, it will add to the transformation of the urban ecology brought by the wider landscaping scheme by providing additional habitats for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. As a newly installed feature, the roof will take time to fully establish and flourish, with its benefits increasing as the vegetation becomes more established.

It has secondary benefits too: it provides natural thermal and acoustic insulation to the bistro; it manages rainwater run-off, helping to reduce the pressure on the town centre drainage; and it protects the roof below from UV, extending the overall lifespan of the roof covering.

The roof, a Bauder Green Roof system, was installed by Briggs Amasco Ltd. 

Fergus Ewing MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Inverness and Nairn and co-chair of The Inverness Castle Experience Delivery Group, said: “The living roof is a striking reminder that sustainability must sit at the heart of how we build and regenerate our communities. As the Inverness Castle project moves forward, it’s encouraging to see climate-conscious design woven into its fabric — not as an afterthought, but as a core principle. This investment is not only protecting our heritage, it’s also supporting a greener future for the Highlands.”

Councillor Ian Brown, leader of Inverness and Co-chair of The Inverness Castle Experience Delivery Group, said: “The addition of the living roof marks a significant step in our commitment to creating a greener, more resilient city. It’s an example of how practical, eco-friendly choices can enhance a major public development. From managing rainwater to supporting biodiversity, this roof will help ensure the castle contributes positively to the local environment for years to come.”

The Inverness Castle Experience project, opening later this year, will benefit from investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other partners.