Plans to transform Inverness Castle into major tourist attraction move towards next stage

AN application to put up hoarding more than 7ft high and CCTV around Inverness Castle has been lodged – with work expected to start this year on transforming the building into a major tourist attraction.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service left its home last month for a new purpose-built justice centre, paving the way to create a new attraction celebrating the spirit of the Highlands.

It follows a long-running campaign supported by the Inverness Courier to turn the historic building into a “must-see” venue including galleries, restaurants, bars and cafes.

It is regarded as being a vital part in the regeneration of the city centre and the wider tourism economy of the Highland region.

The project forms part of the

£315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal involving investment from the Scottish and UK governments, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The final designs for the attraction are expected to be agreed later this year, while the cost has yet to be determined.

But the council, which is leading the project, hopes work will be completed within five years.

LDN Architects of Forres, which is also involved, has submitted an application to put up a 2.4 metre-high hoarding and CCTV to create a boundary for the construction works which are scheduled to be completed by March 3, 2025.

But it states in the application they are likely to be taken down ahead of that date.

Historic Environment Scotland has been consulted for its views.

“We have considered the information received and do not have any comments to make on the proposals,” HES stated in its submission. “Our decision not to provide comments should not be taken as our support for the proposals.”

A landscape architect has been working on initial designs for the surroundings and preliminary ecological assessments will also be undertaken.

A contract for work, including asbestos and timber preservation surveys and structural checks, will be put out to tender in the future.

The aim is to create an attraction people will not visit when they simply happen to be in the city, but will travel specifically to Inverness to experience.

In April 2017, the north tower of the castle was opened to the public as a viewpoint.

The sandstone castle was built in 1836 on a mound overlooking the city and the River Ness. In 1848, a building known as the North Block was added and served as a prison.

It is thought there has been a castle on the site from as far back as the 11th century.

Related article: Highland Council reveals more details of plans to transform Inverness Castle

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