In a bid to support a thriving cultural scene in Inverness and the Highlands, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises has provided a donation and support to The Old High Inverness.
The oldest building in Inverness, The Old High was put up for sale in 2022 by the Church of Scotland.
A charity was formed in a bid to buy the building with the aim of preserving the site’s heritage and history for years to come.
The group successfully took ownership of The Old High Inverness in 2025 and is now continuing to fundraise and investigate how the space can be best used as a community hub and heritage centre.
Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises has now provided a donation of £5,000 and is set to advise the group on how to attract visitors and set itself on the path to success as a viable attraction for locals and those visiting Inverness and the Highlands.
Alison Daun, Managing Director of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, explains:
“When we were approached by The Old High Inverness to ask for a donation, my initial instinct was to say yes.
“As an Inverness local, The Old High Inverness is such an important building so I felt compelled to help in any way we could.
“Providing a donation will help the group as it takes ownership of the church, but we felt that we could provide something even more valuable to help sustain The Old High Inverness for years to come.
“Our business development manager, Alan Rawlinson, has vast experience of showcasing our business to global audiences and is highly knowledgeable on what visitors are looking for.
“So, Alan will be working with the group to help them get set up for visitors and working with the travel trade.”
The Old High Inverness also has other links to Loch Ness and the Jacobite Rebellion.
The mound on which The Old High was constructed is believed to be the site where Irish missionary, St Columba, converted King Brude to Christianity in 565.
And St Columba is also linked to the mythology of the Loch Ness Monster, with an account of the missionary’s life, thought to have been written in the 7th century, telling of him encountering a strange beast in the River Ness.
The oldest part of The Old High was used as a prison after Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat at Culloden, with captured Jacobite soldiers executed in the church grounds.
Jean Slater, Chair of The Old High’s Board, continues:
“The support we have received from donors so far has been incredible.
“Our bid to buy this important building was just the start, and now we must ensure it becomes a ‘must visit’ place in Inverness and a flexible resource to support the regeneration of the city centre.
“Having a business as successful as Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises supporting us, not only with a monetary donation but with advice and resources to help us create something truly special, is invaluable.
“Thank you to owner, Freda Newton, and her team for all the support, I hope that The Old High will be a highlight of trips to Inverness alongside Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises for many years to come.”
For further information on The Old High Inverness or to make a donation, please visit https://oldhighinverness.co.uk/
