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5 Inverness landmark buildings for sale including A-listed Old High Church, historic pub and modern office block





The Old High Church in Inverness is back on the market.
The Old High Church in Inverness is back on the market.

The chance to own Inverness’s oldest building is once again a possibility as the Old High Church is once again back on the market.

Offers over £150,000 are being sought by the Church of Scotland after a previously-agreed sale with an anonymous bidder fell through in November.

The historic A-listed property presents a once in a lifetime purchase opportunity for the right buyer, according to the sales schedule.

It suggests potential uses such as a day nursery, museum, art gallery or public library, theatre. retail space or community resource - although any future owner would face challenges including securing appropriate listed building approval and investing a significant amount of money on top of the sale price.

But it is not the only landmark building in the city which is up for sale.

New owners are being sought for properties ranging from a B-listed building which once formed part of the Royal Infirmary to a modern office block on a prominent site next to the Kessock Bridge:

Old High Church:

With its important links to the Battle of Culloden, Highland regiments and the globally-popular historic drama series Outlander, the building acts as magnet for visitors - who come up against locked doors.

The inside of the the Old High Church in Inverness which has been placed back on the market for offers of over £150,000.
The inside of the the Old High Church in Inverness which has been placed back on the market for offers of over £150,000.

As it faces an uncertain future, a group of interested people are now mulling over the potential of reviving a community-led bid to retain the building for public use but they say it all depends on whether the people of Inverness feel it is important enough to the city.

The property which is being marketed via the Church of Scotland dates from 1769/1772 with a late 16th century tower with lower structure dating from 14th century. The tower houses the city (old burgh) clock and curfew bell.

Former Eastgate Hostel, High Street:

The former Eastgate Hostel in Inverness city centre has remained derelict since it was damaged by a fire in 2013.
The former Eastgate Hostel in Inverness city centre has remained derelict since it was damaged by a fire in 2013.

The former hostel, located in a prominent city centre position, has been at the centre of a long-running saga since it was gutted by a fire in April 2013.

The Courier has long campaigned for action at the site which was fronted by scaffolding in the aftermath of the blaze.

This was removed in summer 2019 and the rear of the building was demolished. At that time there were plans to develop housing on the first and second floors and a shop on the ground floor.

But this has yet to come fruition and even Highland Council has concluded that it is not a viable option for an affordable housing development by the local authority.

It is being marketed by estate agents Grant Stewart.

Former UHI Millennium Institute, Ness Walk

This riverside building was once part of the Royal Infirmary.
This riverside building was once part of the Royal Infirmary.

Offers in the region of £2.1 million are being sought for the B-listed property which was originally built as part of the Royal Infirmary, the city’s first public hospital.

It later served as the executive office of the University of the Highlands and Islands which two years ago confirmed it was considering moving out as part of a move to Inverness Campus.

As well as the main three-storey building plus attic, there is also a detached building, Bryden Lodge.

It is being marketed by Graham & Sibbald who describe it as being in “prestigious location” and highlight its potential conversion for residential use subject to any necessary consents.

Market Bar, Church Street:

The Market Bar building is thought to date back to the 1740s.
The Market Bar building is thought to date back to the 1740s.

Before they were famous, entertainers such as The Proclaimers, Amy MacDonald, Paulo Nutini and even Billy Connelly performed at this traditional pub and music venue which is much loved by locals and tourists.

The building, in an access alley into the Victorian Market, is believed to originate from the 1740s and have a long history as a hostelry.

It was put on the market by the owners who wished to retire having first bought it in 1982.

Offers of £415,000 are being invited. It is being marketed by ASG Commercial.

New Century House, Stadium Road:

New Century House in Stadium Road.
New Century House in Stadium Road.

This waterfront purpose-built office block with views of the Kessock Bridge and over the Beauly Firth was once the home of the Inverness Courier and other publications which have now moved to a city centre office in Church Street.

It was acquired by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) in 2020 under controversial plans to centralise air traffic control operations in the Highlands.

More than £6 million was spent on the project, including acquisition of the three-storey building, between April 2018 and November 2020 but the plans were shelved in 2022.

The landmark office, which was built in 2000, is on a 2.2 acre site and is being marketed by Graham & Sibbald. for sale or rent.


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