COLIN CAMPBELL: Don’t overdo hype about the ‘world-class’ castle
Work on turning Inverness Castle into a major tourist attraction grinds on towards an opening date in 2025. But behind the scaffolding and barriers things are clearly shaping up as the completion date steadily approaches, so much so that a suitable candidate for an important new job is being sought. And he or she will boldly have to contend with an intimidating job prospectus.
A "visionary" new role is for "the head of Inverness Castle Experience". The successful applicant will lead a "dynamic" team of experience-creators.
• Campaign to find head of Inverness Castle Experience gets under way
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MSP Fergus Ewing, who has been a driving force behind the castle transformation, says: "We are not only seeking a visionary leader to manage the operations of a world-class visitor attraction, but also someone whose experience can ensure that every visitor's experience is exceptional and unforgettable."
Highland Council's Inverness leader Ian Brown says: "We are seeking someone with a deep passion for the Highlands, combined with an innovative vision and strong leadership skills. Their expertise and dedication will be essential in enabling the team to provide an unparalleled experience."
The new-look castle has for the past three years been hyped up in advance of its opening as a "world-class" visitor attraction. We'll see. Given the amount of money poured into the scheme, people would expect the finished version to be impressive, but no one I know anticipates the stately pile on the hill will be transformed into a modern-day wonder of the world.
The redevelopment should create a visitor centre which is pleasing on the eye and readily invites further exploration. Millions of pounds are being spent presumably to create that effect. Whether or not a trip there will rise to the giddy heights of being an "unparalleled experience" very much remains to be seen.
The castle is an ancient building and will remain an ancient building with a historic appeal of its own. It's not a piece of wasteground which requires to be turned into Disneyland.
A visit to a historic landmark is something that is associated with interest, maybe even an element of fascination, and quiet reflection.
But it shouldn't be rocket science to work out what will most impress visitors. And behind the scenes pictures of progress so far indicates it's all going very well.
No doubt a suitable applicant will be in place before long. No doubt they will apply themselves to the best of their abilities.
But while those directing the scheme quite obviously and understandably want the best possible outcome, they should perhaps tone down talk of a world-class venue with a dynamic, visionary team providing those mystifyingly unforgettable experiences.
Let’s wait and see what finally emerges. It’ll be a very big day when the castle reopens. The project overseers should be wary of inflating expectations in advance to an extraordinary degree, and running the risk of being criticised when it does reopen for failing to adequately deliver.
