The local authority has been accused of turning off tourists by neglecting a landmark building in the heart of the Highland capital.
The council wants to make Inverness Castle a major visitor magnet – but its grounds are overgrown with waist-high thistles and weeds and pock-marked with rabbit holes.
Business and politicians have accused the local authority of “losing sight of the basics” and called for action to spruce-up one of the city’s most photographed buildings.
Earlier this year the council was granted permission to convert part of the historic castle into a £360,000 attraction by installing a platform to offer the public views down the Great Glen and out over the Moray Firth.
But the steep hill beneath the imposing red sandstone keep is now unkempt and unsightly.
Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said last night that the local authority had “lost sight of the basics”.
“There has been too much attention diverted to other things with the castle – this viewing platform for example,” he said.
“If people climb to the top of the tower and look down all they are going to see is how bad the grounds are.”
Councillor Kerr has campaigned for improvements to the grounds for several years and said he had often apologised to visitors who were disappointed by the city centrepiece.
He added: “At the moment there might be a problem with staff going off on holiday but it’s certainly something I’m going to continue to chase as a local councillor.”
The current red sandstone building dates back to 1836, although castles were built on the site as far back as the 11th century.
It is currently home to the city’s sheriff and justice of the peace courts – but ambitious plans are being developed to make the building more of a visitor attraction.
It sits on a hill and is highly visible from the riverside, Inverness Cathedral, and Ardross Terrace, where tour buses drop off passengers.
Businesses on the opposite side of the river have expressed anger about the poor first impression it gives.
Joan Smith, of Strathness House guest house in Ardross Street, said: “I’ve been concerned about it for a long time.
“Every visitor to Inverness wants to see the castle but a lot of the time it really doesn’t look very good at all.
“There are the prison security vans at the top for the court during the day, and then the bank underneath doesn’t look that pleasant either.
“There are so many rabbits running about, it’s just all very untidy.
“The work that’s needed is obviously not being done.”
Highland Council did not want to comment last night.
However, Janet Campbell, who is also an Inverness Central councillor, said: “It’s an area of great importance to the city, we’re now at the peak of the tourist season and there’s no excuse for the city not looking it’s best.
“That’s an area that should be pristine.”
She added: “I don’t want people going back to America or wherever with pictures of our castle which don’t show Inverness at it’s very best.”
City-centre councillor Bet McAllister said: “The castle hill is pretty scabby to be frank. It could be a lot tidier.
“There are so many rabbits, which make such a mess, and I don’t know how they can be controlled.
“One thing I would suggest is that some of the trees are taken down. You see so many tourists trying to take pictures of the castle from the bridge but you can’t really see it. That might make it easier to maintain.”
She added: “The Castle Street side is looking much better than it was but certainly if you’re walking along Ness Bank it is not nice.”