Who is the potential new owner of the historic Old High Church in Inverness as charity misses out?
A group hoping to buy the A-listed Old High Church in Inverness for community use has been unsuccessful in its bid.
The historic building – the oldest in Inverness – attracted several offers after it was placed on the market by the Church of Scotland for offers of over £150,000.
A sale has now been approved by the Church's trustees but the Friends of the Old High Church, which had set up a crowdfunding campaign in the hope of keeping the church in the community, has confirmed its bid was unsuccessful.
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The church, which occupies a prominent position overlooking the River Ness, has important links with the Battle of Culloden, Highland regiments and the globally popular historic drama series Outlander.
It hosted its final service last year after it was judged to be no longer financially viable to operate.
When it was placed on the market, the sales schedule described it as a once-in-a-lifetime purchase opportunity for the right buyer.
A Church of Scotland spokesman confirmed that following the closing date of November 13, a number of offers were received.
"After consideration by the Old High/St Stephen’s kirk session, the sale has been approved by the General Trustees, the Church of Scotland’s property holding arm, and the transfer of the building can now move forward," he said.
"Matters are progressing and given the sale has not yet been concluded and it is a commercially sensitive matter, we are unable to give further details."
Jean Slater, chairperson of the steering group set up by the Friends of the Old High to prepare a rescue bid to keep the building in the community, confirmed the group was not the buyer.
"We are all extremely disappointed," she said.
"The whole team put in a tremendous amount of effort to get to where we are.
"We want to thank everyone who supported us.
"At this moment, I don't want to say any more that.
"We will have to wait and see what happens."
She hoped the successful buyer would respect the historical significance of the Old High to Inverness and the wider community.
The Friends of the Old High, which has been in existence since 2014, believed the church has potential as a multi-use space for community events, as well as a hub for multi-cultural entertainment, educational, social and tourism activity.
Its ideas ranged from creating a unique visitor experience to developing a venue for events, weddings, classes and concerts.
The church stands on St Michael’s Mound where St Columba reputedly converted the Pictish King Brude to Christianity in 565
The present building dates from 1769/1772 with a late 16th century tower with lower structure dating from 14th century.
The church was requisitioned by Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite forces ahead of the battle in 1746 and used to imprison government forces.
When the Jacobites were defeated the roles were reversed and prisoners were executed within the churchyard itself.
In recent times, it has attracted enthusiasts of the international TV series, Outlander.
The church also hosted the annual Kirking of the Council ceremony, and from the late 19th century served as the regimental kirk of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
The building, which requires considerable internal redecoration, houses a Victorian Henry Willis organ.
