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Offers for Inverness Old High Church drops to £99,500 as price tag for the historic building slashed by one-third





The asking price for the Old High Church in Inverness has been reduced by one-third.
The asking price for the Old High Church in Inverness has been reduced by one-third.

The asking price of a historic Inverness building has been reduced by one-third after being placed back on the market about six months ago.

Offers of more than £99,500 are now being invited for the A-listed Old High Church - a reduction from £150,000 when it went back on the market after a previously-agreed sale with an anonymous bidder fell through.

The landmark building, which has important links with the Battle of Culloden, Highland regiments and the globally-popular historic drama series Outlander, was first put up for sale in November 2023 after the Church of Scotland concluded it was no longer financially viable to maintain both that building and St Stephen’s in Crown.

Campaigners hoping to buy the building for future community use and a heritage centre have launched a campaign, Save The Old High Inverness (SOHI).

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The inside of the the Old High Church in Inverness.
The inside of the the Old High Church in Inverness.

The Church of Scotland said the price had been lowered in the hope of a successful outcome and it would work with potential buyers and interested parties to determine the best future for the building.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “Although the Old High Church building is not in use, it continues to be a financial cost to the congregation of Old High St Stephen’s, which is responsible for rates and insurance and the other costs associated with the care of one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant buildings, using up resources which might otherwise be invested in mission and the wider work of the church.

“With the ending of rates relief and following the disappointment of a potential sale falling through last November following 12 months of negotiations, the kirk session has taken the decision to lower the asking price for the building in the hope that this will lead to a successful outcome for both the congregation and Old High, enabling it to be preserved for future generations, and the wider Inverness and Highland community

“The congregations of the Old High and St Stephen’s united in 2005 and it was decided to release the Old High building after the charge became vacant in 2020 when the united congregation agreed that the St Stephen’s building was better suited to the future needs of their mission.

“The decision to sell the Old High building was taken against the background of radical reforms underway across the Church of Scotland to provide well equipped, accessible and sustainable spaces in the right places.”

The Old High Church was first put on the market in November 2023.
The Old High Church was first put on the market in November 2023.

The spokesman continued: “The Church owns thousands of properties, far more than required to achieve our primary mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and serving our local communities.

“Having fewer congregational buildings reduces pressure on congregational finances, freeing up funds and general income for other Church missional activities and a more sustainable and realistic situation.

“As with all A-listed buildings the Church of Scotland will work with potential buyers and interested parties to determine the best future for the building.”

The building dates from 1769/1772 with a late 16th century tower with the lower structure dating from 14th century.

The tower houses the old burgh clock and curfew bell.


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