9 Best Chimney Sweeps in Highland [2026 Update]

9 chimney sweeps in 8 towns across Highland, Scotland. Pick your town to see its sweeps ranked by Sweep Score.

  • 9 sweeps
  • 8 towns
  • 330 reviews
  • £60–90 typical sweep

Nine chimney sweeps operate across Highland, from Inverness and Fort William to rural outposts around the Black Isle, Badenoch and Strathspey, and the Cairngorms. Together they've earned 330 reviews. Most can handle standard sweeping, inspections and repairs, though it's worth confirming availability in more remote areas before booking.

Top Rated Chimney Sweeps Across Highland

Ranked by Sweep Score. Tap a sweep to see it in its town's full guide.

  1. 1
    Fire WorkMuir Of Ord · 262 reviewsHomeowners who want a sweep with a long track record
    8.6
  2. 2
    Highland Sweep Chimney ServicesInvergordon · 47 reviewsChecking services and hours online before you call
    6.5
  3. 3
    CharlieGrantown-On-Spey · 5 reviewsChecking services and hours online before you call
    4.2
  4. 4
    THEGRATEISTFLAME CHIMNEYS/ROOFS/MASONRY/HARLING/ STOVE & FIREPLACE INSTALLERSInverness · 3 reviewsChecking services and hours online before you call
    3.8
  5. 5
    Wallace SweepsFort William · 2 reviewsChecking services and hours online before you call
    3.5
  6. 6
    Ross-shire Chimney Sweeps LtdAlness · 7 reviewsA local sweep you can call direct
    2.9
  7. 7
    J C Chimney SweepsNairn · 4 reviewsA local sweep you can call direct
    2.4
  8. 8
    The Gentlemen SweepsInvernessWeekend bookings, open Saturday and Sunday
    2.4
  9. 9
    Able ChimneysTainTrying a newer local sweep
    0.8

How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost in Highland?

Chimney sweep costs in Highland typically range from £60 to £90 for an open fire and £65 to £95 for a wood burner or multi-fuel stove. Inspections and safety work are pricier: CCTV inspections run £90 to £145, while more involved jobs like chimney stack repointing (£295 to £980) or fitting a flexible flue liner (£880 to £2,155) reflect the complexity and materials involved. Minor add-ons such as a second flue on the same visit cost £30 to £50. Prices move with the type of appliance, the condition of your chimney, and whether specialist equipment like power sweeping is needed.

Typical standard sweep£60 to £902026 guide price for Highland
Chimney sweep Highland prices
Typical chimney sweep prices in Highland
ServiceGuide price
Sweeping
Open fire chimney sweepStandard brick chimney, one flue£60 to £90
Wood burner or multi fuel stove sweepIncludes flue liner and baffle clean£65 to £95
Range cooker or Aga flue sweepExtra time to strip down and reassemble£80 to £120
Second flue on the same visitDiscount for an extra flue at the same address£30 to £50
Power (rotary) sweep for heavy tarFor glazed or tarred flues a brush cannot shift£90 to £145
Inspection and safety
CCTV chimney inspectionCamera survey with recorded footage£90 to £145
Smoke or draw testOften included with a sweep; checks the flue pulls£40 to £70
Wood burner annual serviceRope seals, glass, firebricks and baffle checked£90 to £145
Repairs and fittings
Bird nest removalOutside nesting season; depends on size and depth£80 to £155
Bird guard or cowl fittedSupply and fit, access dependent£70 to £145
Chimney pot replacementAccess equipment or scaffold extra£145 to £390
Chimney stack repointingSize, condition and scaffolding dependent£295 to £980
Flexible flue liner supply and fitHeight of chimney and liner grade dependent£880 to £2155

Guide prices only, not quotes from listed businesses. Always confirm with your sweep.

Sweep Coverage Across Highland's Towns and Villages

Highland's 9 sweeps are split fairly evenly between urban and rural settings, with 5 based in villages and smaller towns and 4 in urban areas like Inverness and Fort William. This spread means you're likely to find someone relatively local, though response times and availability can vary. Inverness has two sweeps on the list, while single operators cover Alness, Fort William, Grantown-On-Spey, Invergordon, Muir of Ord, Nairn and Tain, so if you're on the coast or in the glens, checking which sweep serves your specific area is essential.

  • Two sweeps in Inverness; one each in Fort William, Nairn, Tain and other towns
  • 5 sweeps based in rural areas, 4 in urban settings
  • Coverage includes Black Isle, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Cromarty Firth neighbourhoods
  • Always confirm they reach your postcode before booking

What Highland Sweeps Can Do: Standard Jobs and Specialist Work

Most sweeps in Highland will sweep open fires, wood burners and multi-fuel stoves as routine work. Beyond that, many offer CCTV inspections to spot problems before they become expensive, smoke and draw tests to check if your chimney is working properly, and bird nest removal if you've had visitors during nesting season. Some also fit guards, cowls and chimney pots, or supply and install flexible flue liners if your chimney needs relining.

  • Standard sweeping for open fires, stoves and range cookers
  • CCTV inspection and smoke testing to diagnose issues
  • Bird nest removal and fitting guards or cowls
  • Chimney pot replacement and flue liner installation
  • Ask whether they do power sweeping for heavy tar buildup

Booking a Sweep in Highland: Timing and Practical Tips

Late spring and summer (May to August) is the quietest time to book a sweep in Highland and the best window to beat the autumn rush. Sweeping before your heating season starts, ideally by September, helps you spot problems while you've still got time to arrange repairs. Two of the 9 sweeps listed here are open on Saturdays, which can help if weekday access is difficult, though most operate Monday to Friday. Always ask whether they cover your specific town or village, as rural postcodes can sometimes be outside a sweep's working area.

Best Time to Book Chimney Cleaning in Highland

Book your Highland chimney sweep between May and August to avoid the September-to-December rush. Sweeping before the heating season starts gives you time to arrange any repairs and ensures your chimney is ready for winter.

General UK booking pattern for chimney sweeps, shown as a guide rather than measured local data.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Sweeps in Highland

Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask before booking a sweep.

Run a chimney sweeping business?

Claim your listing from £10 a month and stand out to local homeowners.

See plans
How often should I have my chimney swept?

If you use an open fire or wood burner regularly, sweep it at least once a year. Heavy users may need it twice yearly. Oil and gas fired appliances need sweeping once a year, though gas boilers less frequently if they're well maintained. The key is to sweep before the heating season starts, so your chimney is clear and safe.

What does a CCTV chimney inspection show?

A CCTV inspection lets the sweep see inside your flue without dismantling it, revealing blockages, cracks, missing mortar, bird nests, or tar buildup. It costs £90 to £145 in Highland and is useful if your chimney isn't drawing properly or you're worried about damage.

Do I need a sweeping certificate?

Yes. Your sweep should provide a certificate after sweeping, and your buildings or contents insurance may ask for it as proof of maintenance. It also protects you if something goes wrong.

What's the difference between a power sweep and a traditional sweep?

A power (rotary) sweep uses a rotating brush to shift heavy tar or creosote buildup that a traditional brush can't budge. It costs more (£90 to £145) but is essential if your flue is clogged with stubborn deposits from burning wet wood or coal.

Can sweeps remove bird nests from my chimney?

Yes, though timing matters. Many bird species are protected during nesting season (roughly March to August), so removal may have to wait until autumn. Sweeps can fit guards or cowls afterwards to prevent it happening again.

What should I check before hiring a sweep in Highland?

Confirm they cover your postcode, check they have public liability insurance, and ask whether they're part of a trade body like HETAS or the Guild of Master Sweeps. Read recent reviews if available, and don't hesitate to ask about their experience with your type of appliance.

Find a Chimney Sweep Near You in Highland

Where the 9 sweeps in Highland are based.

Open in Google Maps

Are You a Chimney Sweep?

Claim your listing from £10 a month, or get featured in your town with a link to your website.

See plans and pricing