Innovative approach during redevelopment of historic Castle Street building in Inverness ensures its legacy continues

Original features and stonework of an important Inverness building have been preserved for the future during its one-of-a-kind restoration for the city.

Inverness developer HHA recently completed the regeneration of the B-listed Merchant House at 51-53 Castle Street.

The B-listed building, which forms part of the historic frontage overlooked by the castle, had run into a state of disrepair.

But the site has been transformed into seven one-bed flats and a two-bedroom penthouse apartment for rent plus a commercial unit on the ground floor thanks to funding from Highland Council, City Region Deal and a £1.2 million Scottish Government Partnership for Regeneration grant.

City eyesore transformed into much-needed homes

As one of the oldest merchant’s houses in Inverness, it was built in the early 18th century and was home to a coal merchant who imported coal for the British Government at Fort Augustus.

It was then home to local businessman Colin MacKintosh’s fruit shop whose daughter, Elizabeth, went on to become one of Scotland’s most successful crime writers.

Writing under a pseudonym of Josephine Tey, a blue plaque commemorating her has now been installed on the front of the building following a campaign by local writer, Jennifer Morag Henderson.

Latterly, the building was used as part of the Duncan Chisholm & Sons kilt shop, until the family-run firm consolidated its space in Castle Street into smaller units.

A courtyard once used by many families living in Castle Street homes lies at the back of the building along with a historic gateway with an entrance to a staircase leading to Ardconnel Terrace.

A historic plaque built into a lintel above the staircase, with the phrase 'FeirGod, dvtnot’ (Fear God, doubt not), etched into the stonework.

Housing and property committee chairwoman and Provost of Inverness, Councillor Glynis Sinclair, said 53 Castle Street was steeped in history, and it was fitting that the building was restored to its former glory to allow its legacy to continue for generations to come.

"The sympathetic restoration, design and attention to detail has undoubtedly brought back to life a key historic building to the city of Inverness and is a prime example of how old historic buildings can and should be repurposed to create beautiful new homes and commercial spaces," she said.

Initially, the building was stabilised and protected through the pro-active work of the council’s building standards service before redevelopment process began.

Completed by Inverness contractor, Compass Building & Construction Services, the reimagined house has retained historic features.

A first-of-its-kind approach to re-development in Inverness, it includes conservation of the staircase, where a new modern-day courtyard with communal space and recycling points has been built around.

The plaque was removed and relocated to the doorway leading to the new courtyard space.

The original façade stonework was also removed brick by brick, placed into storage and then re-built in precisely the same format to ensure that the original building is preserved for generations to come.

The nature of the building works has also helped to maintain the original character of the building, in keeping with the wider streetscape and Inverness Castle. The slate tiles are also original.

In total, construction work has taken almost two years to finish, highlighting the timely nature of the build to ensure that the brickwork was completed exactly like for like.

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