Helen Carmichael is a councillor for Highland Council's Aird and Loch Ness ward.
The earliest reference to a provost of Inverness was a "provost junor" in the 1400s.
In another first for the historic position, Ms Carmichael is also leader of the council's Inverness and Area district.
It had previously been a separate post but has been merged with the role of provost.
A woman has been elected provost of Inverness for the first time in the 600-year history of the civic role.