Inverary Jail

Inverary Jail
Address
Inverary Jail, Argyll, Scotland
Postcode
PA32 8TX
Phone
01499 302381
Region or country
Scotland

For many centuries, Inveraray, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, was the principal county town of Argyll. From the mid-18th century the courts met in the Town House on Front Street, and the ground floor below the courtroom served as the county prison. Edinburgh architect Robert Reid drew up plans for a new Courthouse and Prison in 1807, which included separate prison blocks for men, women and debtors. Reid’s proposals were later adapted by the architect James Gillespie Graham who simplified the design of the Courthouse and reduced the prison accommodation to one eight cell block. Work started on the new buildings in 1816 and was completed in 1820.

The Jail and Courthouse opened in 1820 and remained unchanged until 1843 when the Airing Yards were built. These provided a secure place where prisoners could be exercised in the open air. In 1848 the New Prison was completed. This was a model prison for its day with 12 individual cells, a water closet on every floor, accommodation for warders, a store room and indoor exercise gallery. It was also well heated and lit by gas, a far cry from the dark and damp original prison building.

The Jail finally closed on the 30th of August 1889. By this time, in comparison to the larger city prisons, the smaller county jails were expensive and inefficient to run. The Sheriff Court was removed to Dunoon in 1954 and the rarely used courthouse and empty prisons gradually fell into disrepair.

Fortunately, their significance as the finest 19th-century County Courthouse and Prison in Scotland was recognised and The Scottish Office undertook an extensive renovation and in May 1989, almost a hundred years after the last prisoners departed, Inveraray Jail opened to the public.

What can be found at the venue?
Collection of artifacts, Historic building or site
Significant collections relating to regional crime and punishment organisation or to a particular individual
Courtroom and and both old and new prisons with airing yard.
Does the venue have an online collections catalogue?
No
Web address of any other online resources
Details of opening for public access and / or research services
The museum is open seven days a week; dogs are welcomed. April to October: 10.00 am - last admission at 4.00 pm and closes at 5.00 pm. November to March: 10.00 am - last admission at 4.00 pm and closes at 5.00 pm.

Entrance fee: Adults: £13.50; Seniors: £11.95; Students: £10.95; Child aged 5-16: £8.25; Child under 5: Free
Available services or facilities
Shop, Visitor parking, Toilets
Accessibility and disability arrangements / Covid requirements
Due to the historic nature of the buildings and the number of flights of stairs involved, access can be difficult for people with limited mobility and pushchairs are not permitted. We do provide complimentary baby carriers if desired and safely store the pushchair. Wheelchair users are admitted free of charge and are welcome to visit all the ground floor areas. We do offer reduced rates for carers.

The museum has some disabled parking and some limited free parking directly in front of the Jail. There’s a large town car park located just across the Main Street in the Avenue.

Full access details can be found at: https://www.inverarayjail.co.uk/images/upload/media/source/ACCESS%20STATEMENT%20FOR%20INVERARAY%20JAIL.pdf
Date information added or updated:
01/11/2022
Entry ID No:
124