Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Inverness

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has many connections to Inverness. For those keen to discover more about the play and even imagine themselves as the tragic King himself, there’s no better city in the world to visit. Stay at the Kingsmills Hotel and use us as a base for your literary tour of the city. Discover the locations that helped maked this play one of the finest ever written. 

Inverness Castle

Did you know that there really was a Scottish king called Macbeth? He ruled between 1040 and 1057. Unfortunately, not a lot is known about him. Shakespeare’s Macbeth has very little to do with the real-life version. 

In the play Macbeth, he lives in Inverness Castle. So many important actions happen here. It’s where Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband announcing his title as Thane of Cawdor. It’s also the location where Macbeth murders King Duncan in order to claim the throne for himself. 

The castle then sets the scene for Macbeth’s descent into madness, as the play heads towards it’s remarkable conclusion. 

Current-day Inverness Castle sits high above the city, looking down onto the River Ness. Although this version of the castle didn’t exist in Shakespeare’s times, it’s a close as we can get to experiencing the play in real life. However, castles have been built on this site for hundreds of years. It’s easy to close your eyes and imagine the plotting going around these corridors…

The Inverness Castle experience leads visitors through the history of the building, stretching right back to the sixth century CE. It has played its part in plenty of battles, including the War of the Three Kingdoms, the Jacobite uprising and the Crofters’ War. Keep an eye on the Inverness Castle website for opening hours. 

Brodie Castle

“When shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning or in rain?”. Spoken by the three weird sisters, this line has being quoted and reused by writers throughout the ages. This includes author Terry Pratchett who answered it with “Well I can do next Tuesday”.

However in Macbeth, these sisters first meet Macbeth on a low hill, now thought to be on the grounds of Brodie Castle. Macbeth’s Hillock is just a 40-minute drive east from Kingsmill Hotel. The castle grounds are open to the public and you can explore this hill yourself. If you want a perfect photo opportunity, then it’s here!

Cawdor Castle

Not far from Inverness sits Cawdor Castle. Although it is never mentioned directly in the play, Macbeth is named ‘Thane of Cawdor’. This is an important step to him becoming King of Scotland. The play takes significant liberties in this part of Scottish history. The castle, however, is still a wonderful place to come and visit. A highlight includes the legendary holly tree which grew on the spot the castle was built hundreds of years ago. You can see this petrified tree when you visit. Keep an eye on Cawdor Castle’s website for opening hours as it closes over the winter months. 

Macbeth in Inverness

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has connections all across Scotland, but his links to Inverness are strong. It adds to all the reasons you should visit this beautiful Highland city. Book your stay at Kingsmill Hotel today and enjoy history and literature on your doorstep.