Inveraray Jail

Cold, damp and dark: life in Inveraray Jail’s Old Prison was full of hardship. It was also very boring. There was no place to exercise and no work or education was provided. Time must have dragged for prisoners who found themselves locked up in the early 1800s.
Fast forward 50 years and things were very different. It was largely down to the influence of William Brebner that conditions at Inveraray Jail improved both in terms of the quality of prison staff and the physical conditions prisoners endured. Read more about Brebner's methods to improve prison conditions here https://bit.ly/2FoxUN2.

DUCKY GOES TO GAMBIA!
**Ducky's Diary - 13th November, 2018**
Tonight I am off to Gambia with Bill, a good friend of the jail's. They have finally let me out! Stay tuned for more photos from my trip away....!

**Ducky's Diary - 12th November 2018**🦆
📷 Mug Shot Day. Testing out the souvenir photo opportunity at Inveraray Jail where I was able to select my own background! (Although the green really does bring out my eyes). Visitors love these, they are fun and free to use and are available to purchase as they leave.

Within reach of Inveraray too.....here is the next episode in the PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW and @Wild About Argyll Heart & Soul Campaign featuring Glasgow & Kintyre.
Here’s why you should pair Glasgow and Kintyre in your next short break. You’ll have a dram good time!
Discover more 👉 https://bit.ly/2T4DmY1

Inveraray Jail was delighted to be one of the venues for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk in Inveraray last month. Host Richard Hunt-Smith sent us in this fantastic picture of our Court Judge. It was great to be involved in the event and see such fantastic photos of the jail and Inveraray.

The dreaded whipping table....
Who will be getting whipped and who will be doing the whipping on your next visit to Inveraray Jail?
In 1852, whipping was introduced as an alternative to sending boys to prison. The whippings, not exceeding 12 lashes for each boy under 14 years of age and 36 lashes for those over 14, were supervised by the Surgeon. The idea was that prison, where the boys would be fed and kept warm, was no longer enough of a deterrent. Yikes.

If you love history & culture, then here are twelve reasons why you should pair Glasgow & Heart of Argyll - Inveraray, Crinan, Knapdale and Kilmartin. And why not drop us a visit whilst you are in Inveraray for a taste of 19th century prison life! Discover more 👉 https://bit.ly/2zvoWHD

🎃🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃 🎃
Visitors to the jail today have the perfect Halloween setting, accompanied by the haunting sounds of "Mad Archie" (model pictured) in cell 7 in the jail's Old Prison.
Archibald MacLellan was found guilty of murdering his ten year old daughter in 1826 and at the time of his crime was considered to be ‘insane and deprived of reason’. He was sentenced to spend ‘all the days of his life in Inveraray Jail, or until sufficient Caution and Surety be found’. No surety – a person who would take legal responsibility for MacLellan – was found and he spent a miserable 13 years in the Old Jail. He died on June 27th 1839 in his cell which upon visiting is still somewhat chilling to this very day. 👻

More ghost stories from Inveraray Jail 👻. (📸 thanks to Loch Fyne Photos):
Rob Irons, who plays Prison Warder:
"I’ve worked here for over 13 years and I’ve seen stuff that the would make your hair stand on end. I’ll often see someone crossing from the washroom to the dayroom in the Old Prison. It’s always from the corner of my eye. I used to check, but it’s happened so often now I don’t bother. Visitors see the same thing. One Sunday morning I stepped into Mad Archie’s cell. I... was on my own in the jail but I heard someone call out ‘Rob’. It was so clear that I remember replying ‘I’ll be there in a minute’. I looked everywhere, but there wasn’t a soul in the building.
We’ve held over 60 ghost hunting events here at the jail and they’ve all picked something up. One night I was locking up after an event at 4.30am. There was a light left on in the New Prison, but I couldn’t go through the door to turn it off. I froze at the entrance. I knew someone was waiting for me. I left the light on and hurried home." Yikes.
See More

Is Inveraray Jail haunted? 👻👻
Sam Potts, Asst. Manager, has had several eerie encounters.... "I often sit in Cell 4 in the Old Prison. When I started working here I used to hear footsteps and see shadows passing the cell. At first I thought it was visitors and I’d call out ‘good afternoon’, but there was never anyone there. After a few months the activity stopped. Perhaps the spirits got used to me being there! Cell 2 in the Old Prison is interesting. A number of times I’ve ...seen young children crouching in the left-hand side of the cell chatting. When the parents ask who they’re talking to they say ‘the old lady’. I’ve never felt scared in the Old Prison though. It’s the New Prison that gives me the creeps. I was taking a guided tour there one day with a guy who turned out to be a psychic. He told me that there was a man following me who doesn’t like me. The psychic reckoned it was an angry Warder from the past who doesn’t like his routine being disrupted." 🙈👻🧙‍♀️ #halloween🎃 #ghoststories #haunted
See More

👻👻 #halloween2018 #haunted Do you believe in ghosts?

It's almost time for Halloween 2018 👻🧟‍♀️🧙‍♀️
Throwing back to this creepy picture from August last year. Inveraray Jail is recognised as one of the spookiest places in Scotland and is a popular destination for paranormal investigators, including the team for tv’s Most Haunted. So it is no wonder that visitor Sammy took a second look at what appears to be a ghostly figure at the window.....

The latest episode from PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW and Wild About Argyll's Heart & Soul of Scotland campaign. Why not squeeze in a visit to Inveraray Jail with this itinerary? Just 45mins-1hr from Loch Lomond.
Pack more in with Glasgow & Loch Lomond! 😅 Your short break can include adrenalin-fuelled fun and activities with watersports, biking or climbing. Or you can enjoy a relaxing walk and discover famous artists, musicians, restaurants and bars by night 🍻🥃

The old prison.
Where there was no heating or washroom. Ventilation was poor. The prison was often overcrowded with as many as 24 men, women, children and the criminally insane confined to 8 cramped cells.

Anyone leave a broomstick in our old prison block? 🧙‍♀️👻🧟‍♂️ #halloweeniscoming

The next episode in the heart & soul of Scotland series...
Enjoy an urban and Hebridean adventure by pairing Glasgow with the Isle of Tiree, just an hour’s flight from Glasgow Airport with Loganair
The nearby island of Coll is also worth a visit, unfortunatley not directly accessible from Glasgow, you’ll need to catch CalMac Ferries or a flight from Oban Airport.

***Ducky's Diary - Sat 13th October, 2018***
Helping out as a guide at Inveraray Jail at the moment, telling visitors over the October Holidays fascinating facts about 19th century prison life and historic tales from our courthouse.
Did you know? In the 1800s, meetings of the Circuit Court in Inveraray were an occasion of pomp and ceremony. On the first day of proceedings there was a formal procession from the Great Inn to the Courthouse. The procession was led by two halberdiers. They were followed by the Town Council, lawyers, the Sheriff, the Lord Lieutenant, trumpeters, Mace Bearer and Judge. They visited once in Spring and once in Autumn each year. Today, you can see and hear the court in action, drawing on historical records of actual cases during your visit.

If you missed Monday night's final episode of Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain, UK residents can catch it on BBC iPlayer! University Challenge besties Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull head to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverary & Cruachan and pay a visit to Inveraray Jail. See the whole show, featuring stunning footage of Inveraray and Argyll, here https://bbc.in/2OgqwHv. Not one to miss!

Was a great place to visit well worth every penny 👍👍

Very interesting and entertaining visit to Inveraray Jail. The commentary was informative. The wardens were fantastic, very helpful and gave us more information on the jail. We first thought that the tickets were a bit pricey but our tour lasted two hours - but seemed to go in a flash.

Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit . Really interesting learning about all the history

Staff extremely friendly and the wealth of information from such a long time ago is incredible! We loved it and want to go back, as I imagine you would learn something new each time. We had our 1 year old with us and he got something out of it too!

Really very good - even in monsoon like rain!

Very interesting and very much well worth the visit. Even the kids loved it and were happy to be put on the board to be (pretend) flogged!!

The only down side is that we couldn't leave the kids to be picked up in 20 years!

Highly recommended if your in the region.

My little boy is 6yrs old and obsessed with prisons and police so thot this would be a great experience for him and rightly so he had an amazing day . We spent best part of 3 hour here and practicly had to drag him out to go home. We Would definatley return for another visit, great day had by all and would definatley recommend to friends and family

I visited a few weeks ago for about my 5th time. It is a very interesting view into the past and every time I visit the interest is still there. Stories about torture and execution follow into the old courthouse where stories of the accused are told, then into the prisons you get a really intricate view into how life was for those condemned to punishment.

A definite landmark to visit if you are visiting the town.

Had a great visit with my partner and my dog Buster. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well recommended.

Great place good value for money, does make you think that for a lot of people at that time a wee spell in jail was easier living than their outside lives! Well worth going.

Great day out. But stay away from George hotel. Ignorant management..

Friendly staff. Kids had fun with the interactive areas. Son loved the hammock!! Great that you can touch pieces of the exhibits. Information around the jail very informative and child friendly . Really enjoyed the whole experience and would visit again

Excellent place to waste a couple of hours. Staff very knowledgeable. Learned a few things as well.

Excellent experience!! The jail proved a real insight into life in the 1800's and was so captivating. I would recommend taking advantage of the free audio guide as it provides a great interactive tool to assist you during the tour. The visit wouldnt have been the same without it! Great value for money!

1st time at the jail with Hubby and 2 boys....Didn’t know how my youngest would act but he walked all the way round and got loads of photos....A few weird noises lol but great day had by all....Certainly will b back

We had a lovely time, staff were very helpful and friendly, allowing us to take photos with them as they were dressed in period costumes, lots of information on the walls, really enjoyed it

The jile is a very interesting place. It's well looked after with some nice interactive touches. The staff and characters are welcoming and stay in role for the duration.

As per all attractions like this, the shop is quite expensive but that's par for the course, I think.

There's no rush whatsoever to make your way around the courtroom, old jail and new jail so make sure you get a good look around.

Great experience, can choose to take your time and read the exhibits or use a free headset which will tell you what each one is etc. Staff were very good and the interactive inmate was a good touch. Lot of stairs though and luckily I am quite short, if you are over 5'6" duck.

A nice place to kill time and know the things in the past.

We didn't make it into the jail. Asking price was steep. But we may have done if even 1 of the 3 staff had even smiled or said hello when we walked in. We were completely ignored. And it's not like they were inundated with customers on a cold November afternoon. Instead the two older staff moaned and bitched about another staff member for a little bit while the other staff member was out the room. Pretty poor customer experience. It only takes a hello. But it's almost as they couldn't be bothered that we were visiting.

Was a great place to visit well worth every penny 👍👍

Very interesting and entertaining visit to Inveraray Jail. The commentary was informative. The wardens were fantastic, very helpful and gave us more information on the jail. We first thought that the tickets were a bit pricey but our tour lasted two hours - but seemed to go in a flash.

Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit . Really interesting learning about all the history

Staff extremely friendly and the wealth of information from such a long time ago is incredible! We loved it and want to go back, as I imagine you would learn something new each time. We had our 1 year old with us and he got something out of it too!

Really very good - even in monsoon like rain!

Very interesting and very much well worth the visit. Even the kids loved it and were happy to be put on the board to be (pretend) flogged!!

The only down side is that we couldn't leave the kids to be picked up in 20 years!

Highly recommended if your in the region.

My little boy is 6yrs old and obsessed with prisons and police so thot this would be a great experience for him and rightly so he had an amazing day . We spent best part of 3 hour here and practicly had to drag him out to go home. We Would definatley return for another visit, great day had by all and would definatley recommend to friends and family

I visited a few weeks ago for about my 5th time. It is a very interesting view into the past and every time I visit the interest is still there. Stories about torture and execution follow into the old courthouse where stories of the accused are told, then into the prisons you get a really intricate view into how life was for those condemned to punishment.

A definite landmark to visit if you are visiting the town.

Had a great visit with my partner and my dog Buster. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well recommended.

Great place good value for money, does make you think that for a lot of people at that time a wee spell in jail was easier living than their outside lives! Well worth going.

Great day out. But stay away from George hotel. Ignorant management..

Friendly staff. Kids had fun with the interactive areas. Son loved the hammock!! Great that you can touch pieces of the exhibits. Information around the jail very informative and child friendly . Really enjoyed the whole experience and would visit again

Excellent place to waste a couple of hours. Staff very knowledgeable. Learned a few things as well.

Excellent experience!! The jail proved a real insight into life in the 1800's and was so captivating. I would recommend taking advantage of the free audio guide as it provides a great interactive tool to assist you during the tour. The visit wouldnt have been the same without it! Great value for money!

1st time at the jail with Hubby and 2 boys....Didn’t know how my youngest would act but he walked all the way round and got loads of photos....A few weird noises lol but great day had by all....Certainly will b back

We had a lovely time, staff were very helpful and friendly, allowing us to take photos with them as they were dressed in period costumes, lots of information on the walls, really enjoyed it

The jile is a very interesting place. It's well looked after with some nice interactive touches. The staff and characters are welcoming and stay in role for the duration.

As per all attractions like this, the shop is quite expensive but that's par for the course, I think.

There's no rush whatsoever to make your way around the courtroom, old jail and new jail so make sure you get a good look around.

Great experience, can choose to take your time and read the exhibits or use a free headset which will tell you what each one is etc. Staff were very good and the interactive inmate was a good touch. Lot of stairs though and luckily I am quite short, if you are over 5'6" duck.

A nice place to kill time and know the things in the past.

We didn't make it into the jail. Asking price was steep. But we may have done if even 1 of the 3 staff had even smiled or said hello when we walked in. We were completely ignored. And it's not like they were inundated with customers on a cold November afternoon. Instead the two older staff moaned and bitched about another staff member for a little bit while the other staff member was out the room. Pretty poor customer experience. It only takes a hello. But it's almost as they couldn't be bothered that we were visiting.

Was a great place to visit well worth every penny 👍👍

Very interesting and entertaining visit to Inveraray Jail. The commentary was informative. The wardens were fantastic, very helpful and gave us more information on the jail. We first thought that the tickets were a bit pricey but our tour lasted two hours - but seemed to go in a flash.

Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit . Really interesting learning about all the history

Staff extremely friendly and the wealth of information from such a long time ago is incredible! We loved it and want to go back, as I imagine you would learn something new each time. We had our 1 year old with us and he got something out of it too!

Really very good - even in monsoon like rain!

Very interesting and very much well worth the visit. Even the kids loved it and were happy to be put on the board to be (pretend) flogged!!

The only down side is that we couldn't leave the kids to be picked up in 20 years!

Highly recommended if your in the region.

My little boy is 6yrs old and obsessed with prisons and police so thot this would be a great experience for him and rightly so he had an amazing day . We spent best part of 3 hour here and practicly had to drag him out to go home. We Would definatley return for another visit, great day had by all and would definatley recommend to friends and family

I visited a few weeks ago for about my 5th time. It is a very interesting view into the past and every time I visit the interest is still there. Stories about torture and execution follow into the old courthouse where stories of the accused are told, then into the prisons you get a really intricate view into how life was for those condemned to punishment.

A definite landmark to visit if you are visiting the town.

Had a great visit with my partner and my dog Buster. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well recommended.

Great place good value for money, does make you think that for a lot of people at that time a wee spell in jail was easier living than their outside lives! Well worth going.

Great day out. But stay away from George hotel. Ignorant management..

Friendly staff. Kids had fun with the interactive areas. Son loved the hammock!! Great that you can touch pieces of the exhibits. Information around the jail very informative and child friendly . Really enjoyed the whole experience and would visit again

Excellent place to waste a couple of hours. Staff very knowledgeable. Learned a few things as well.

Excellent experience!! The jail proved a real insight into life in the 1800's and was so captivating. I would recommend taking advantage of the free audio guide as it provides a great interactive tool to assist you during the tour. The visit wouldnt have been the same without it! Great value for money!

1st time at the jail with Hubby and 2 boys....Didn’t know how my youngest would act but he walked all the way round and got loads of photos....A few weird noises lol but great day had by all....Certainly will b back

We had a lovely time, staff were very helpful and friendly, allowing us to take photos with them as they were dressed in period costumes, lots of information on the walls, really enjoyed it

The jile is a very interesting place. It's well looked after with some nice interactive touches. The staff and characters are welcoming and stay in role for the duration.

As per all attractions like this, the shop is quite expensive but that's par for the course, I think.

There's no rush whatsoever to make your way around the courtroom, old jail and new jail so make sure you get a good look around.

Great experience, can choose to take your time and read the exhibits or use a free headset which will tell you what each one is etc. Staff were very good and the interactive inmate was a good touch. Lot of stairs though and luckily I am quite short, if you are over 5'6" duck.

A nice place to kill time and know the things in the past.

We didn't make it into the jail. Asking price was steep. But we may have done if even 1 of the 3 staff had even smiled or said hello when we walked in. We were completely ignored. And it's not like they were inundated with customers on a cold November afternoon. Instead the two older staff moaned and bitched about another staff member for a little bit while the other staff member was out the room. Pretty poor customer experience. It only takes a hello. But it's almost as they couldn't be bothered that we were visiting.

Was a great place to visit well worth every penny 👍👍

Very interesting and entertaining visit to Inveraray Jail. The commentary was informative. The wardens were fantastic, very helpful and gave us more information on the jail. We first thought that the tickets were a bit pricey but our tour lasted two hours - but seemed to go in a flash.

Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit . Really interesting learning about all the history

Staff extremely friendly and the wealth of information from such a long time ago is incredible! We loved it and want to go back, as I imagine you would learn something new each time. We had our 1 year old with us and he got something out of it too!

Really very good - even in monsoon like rain!

Very interesting and very much well worth the visit. Even the kids loved it and were happy to be put on the board to be (pretend) flogged!!

The only down side is that we couldn't leave the kids to be picked up in 20 years!

Highly recommended if your in the region.

My little boy is 6yrs old and obsessed with prisons and police so thot this would be a great experience for him and rightly so he had an amazing day . We spent best part of 3 hour here and practicly had to drag him out to go home. We Would definatley return for another visit, great day had by all and would definatley recommend to friends and family

I visited a few weeks ago for about my 5th time. It is a very interesting view into the past and every time I visit the interest is still there. Stories about torture and execution follow into the old courthouse where stories of the accused are told, then into the prisons you get a really intricate view into how life was for those condemned to punishment.

A definite landmark to visit if you are visiting the town.

Had a great visit with my partner and my dog Buster. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well recommended.

Great place good value for money, does make you think that for a lot of people at that time a wee spell in jail was easier living than their outside lives! Well worth going.

Great day out. But stay away from George hotel. Ignorant management..

Friendly staff. Kids had fun with the interactive areas. Son loved the hammock!! Great that you can touch pieces of the exhibits. Information around the jail very informative and child friendly . Really enjoyed the whole experience and would visit again

Excellent place to waste a couple of hours. Staff very knowledgeable. Learned a few things as well.

Excellent experience!! The jail proved a real insight into life in the 1800's and was so captivating. I would recommend taking advantage of the free audio guide as it provides a great interactive tool to assist you during the tour. The visit wouldnt have been the same without it! Great value for money!

1st time at the jail with Hubby and 2 boys....Didn’t know how my youngest would act but he walked all the way round and got loads of photos....A few weird noises lol but great day had by all....Certainly will b back

We had a lovely time, staff were very helpful and friendly, allowing us to take photos with them as they were dressed in period costumes, lots of information on the walls, really enjoyed it

The jile is a very interesting place. It's well looked after with some nice interactive touches. The staff and characters are welcoming and stay in role for the duration.

As per all attractions like this, the shop is quite expensive but that's par for the course, I think.

There's no rush whatsoever to make your way around the courtroom, old jail and new jail so make sure you get a good look around.

Great experience, can choose to take your time and read the exhibits or use a free headset which will tell you what each one is etc. Staff were very good and the interactive inmate was a good touch. Lot of stairs though and luckily I am quite short, if you are over 5'6" duck.

A nice place to kill time and know the things in the past.

We didn't make it into the jail. Asking price was steep. But we may have done if even 1 of the 3 staff had even smiled or said hello when we walked in. We were completely ignored. And it's not like they were inundated with customers on a cold November afternoon. Instead the two older staff moaned and bitched about another staff member for a little bit while the other staff member was out the room. Pretty poor customer experience. It only takes a hello. But it's almost as they couldn't be bothered that we were visiting.