HMP Inverness

Family and friends are required to ring up the designated visit booking line to book visits. The contact number is 01463 229026.

Please be aware that calls can only be taken during the following times:

• Monday to Friday
  • 09.00 - 12.00
  • 14.00 - 16.00
• Saturday
  • 09.30 - 11.30

Agents should book visits at least 24 hours in advance, where possible, by calling direct to 01463 229027. Information on legal visits by video link can be found below.

It is important that you arrive promptly for your visit. You should allow extra time for unforeseen problems such as parking, public transport delays etc. If you believe you may be a running late please phone and let us know, we may still be a position to allow the visit to go ahead. We would ask visitors to arrive 15 mins prior to the visit time.

To gain access to the prison for the purpose of visiting, you must have two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic ID. Entry to the prison will not be permitted without acceptable identification. The following examples shall be accepted as suitable for photographic ID purposes:

• Valid Passport
• Photographic Driving Licence
• Citizen/Validate UK Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass
• Workplace photo ID card
• Photographic Bank Card
• Other official photo ID i.e. membership card

The following examples shall be accepted as suitable for proof of address provided it is less than 3 months old:

• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Benefit book
• Bank statement
• Other letter from official source

Official visitors require Identification cards. Agents are required to carry their Law Society of Scotland ID Cards.

You will be asked to secure bags, mobile phones, any other devices and the bulk of your money into the lockers provided.

Click here for information on the Scottish Legal Aid Board web site for solicitors looking to register for and use video link technology to conduct meetings with their clients in custody.

Property being handed in can only be accepted if accompanied by a property request sent out by the prisoner. Please be aware that only items on the form can be accepted.

You can post in property for prisoners, but the individual must have completed the pro-forma prior to the items arriving. Mark the parcel for the individual's attention. To ensure the parcel arrives safely, you can send it recorded delivery (cost incurred at the post office).  

You can post money in to an individual for their PPC. If you choose to do so, please use recorded/special delivery (costs incurred at the post office) when posting cash, a cheque or postal order.  Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the individuals details on the back.

However, the most secure and efficient way of sending money is through online banking. For full instructions on how to do this please follow the link below.

There is a one-way system around the vicinity of the prison, and parking is very restricted - apart from official visitors, it requires payment by meter. Spaces are available in Argyle Terrace, or at the car park at the end of Argyle Street.

Although the prison entrance is on Duffy Drive, this is a narrow, one-way street which is usually approached from the road which runs parallel to it - Old Edinburgh Road. It too is a one-way street (same north-south direction) and is accessed from Castle Street (predictably enough, the road which runs past Inverness Castle). On entering Old Edinburgh Road, turn first left into Mitchell Lane, then first right into Duffy Drive, or, if looking for a car space, continue to the end of Mitchell Lane and turn left into Argyle Terrace then right for Argyle Street.

Parking around the prison is quite limited although possible, so consideration should be given to parking in town and walking the short distance to the prison.

The prison is within relatively easy walking distance from the town centre - around 15 minutes from the bus or train stations. If you take the exit road from the bus station and turn left along Academy Street, you pass the train station and can access a taxi rank, if you would prefer (approximate cost is £5).

Having walked along Academy Street, cross over and along Inglis Street (which is pedestrianised) and up Market Brae steps, which face you at the end. They lead to Argyle Street, at the end of which is the Redcliffe Hotel. From this juncture you will see the prison wall to your left - follow it round, that is, turn left and first right, into Mitchell's Lane. Then first left into Duffy Drive, where you will find the entrance to the prison.