Restoration begins on Academy Street mosaics
RESTORATION work to breathe life into historic mosaics in Academy Street began at the weekend.
Cairngorm Taverns recently secured an Inverness Townscape Heritage grant to fully restore the former AI Welders building, which is set to have a street-level bar and first-floor restaurant.
It has appointed conservation specialist Laing Traditional Masonry (LTM) as its main contractor although the first phase of work has been handled by sub-contractor the Mosaic Restoration Company (MRC).
Once the full building renovation commences and scaffolding is installed, two of the three mosaics will be taken to MRC’s factory for restoration.Restoration work to the mosaic panel on the Rose Street elevation along with replacing the missing mosaic on the Academy St elevation can then be carried out on-site.
A mosaic missing from the Academy Street arch is thought to have disappeared more than 50 years ago. However historic images, detail what the missing panel would have looked like and this allows it to be replicated as part of this project.
Sam Faircliff, managing director of Cairngorm Brewery Company which is involved with Cairngorm Taverns, said: "It’s very exciting to see work commence on the mosaics.
"We are committed to restoring this iconic building to its former glory and will be working closely with contractors LTM to bring the full building back into use, providing a Highland showcase for Cairngorm and Loch Ness Breweries."
The townscape heritage project is a collaboration of funding partners led by the Inverness City Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery, and overseen by Highland Council.
