An empty field beside the city's only all-Gaelic primary school has been earmarked for the development and consultants are now investigating whether it is feasible before concrete plans are drawn up.

The proposals are due to be discussed by Highland Council's Gaelic committee today .

The idea for the hub emerged from discussions held by a group hoping to establish a Gaelic medium nursery and child care for children up to the age of three at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.

At present, the school, which opened two years ago, caters for children from the age of three upwards but the building is expected to reach capacity next year.

A steering group led by the Scottish Government quango Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the charity Comunn na Gaidhlig was set up and the scale of the development was widened.

Now, the group also wants to establish if the various Gaelic organisations scattered around Inverness could be based in one central base in a bid to cut costs, while offices and shops for private sector businesses working in the language are also proposed.

A cafe or small performance venue is under consideration as well.

However, any plans which are drawn up face a race against time because the land, which is currently council-owned, will revert back to a developer in a year's time if no proposals are forthcoming.

Initial support from Government ministers has also been given to the project, according to members of Curam Chloinne, the group seeking child care and nursery provision.

Gaelic committee member Roy Pedersen firmly believes the "hub" would be an asset for Inverness. "The idea has been around for quite a long time and it's something which I have been promoting in my various guises over the years," said the Inverness South councillor.

The site proposed for a Gaelic 'hub' in Inverness. Picture Bobby Nelson

"The land is owned by the authority and must be used for education, cultural or community purposes which makes a Gaelic hub perfect. It would absolutely fulfil all of these requirements. First and foremost a pre-school Gaelic unit is the most urgent part of the project. Only three- and four-year-olds are currently taught in the school's nursery because of a lack of space. The school is bursting at the seams."

"Although it wouldn't be a tourism facility, I could see a spin-off there because it would be part of the culture. There is a lot of interest in Gaelic in the wide world. For me it's difficult to see what objections could be made — it is all positive — but some people could disagree."

City-based consultants Synergie Scotland will investigate whether the development would be financially viable and what funding could be available over the next two months.

Bòrd spokesman Hugh Dan MacLennan said it was paying the cost of the Synergie study which was under £10,000.

He said having all the Gaelic organisations under one roof could help them work better together for the common good of the language, but added: "If the study shows this is not a good idea we will not pursue it."

Gaelic organisations in Inverness

THE five Gaelic organisations which are interested in becoming part of a "hub" at Culduthel are currently dotted around Inverness.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig's office is in Darach House at Stoneyfield Business Park. The other four are all based in the city centre.

Academy Street is the home of both Fèisean nan Gàidheal and CLi Gaidhlig while Commun na Gàidhlig is on Mitchell Lane. An Comunn Gàidhealach's base is on Church Street.

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