Call for landmark Viewhill House to be demolished
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A history enthusiast has called for a derelict eyesore in Inverness to be pulled down.
Bill Anderson, former chairman of Inverness Local History Forum, has added his voice to the debate about B-listed Viewhill House which has been empty for 20 years and was extensively damaged by fire in 2007.
As highlighted by the Inverness Courier, frustration is growing about the lack of action to tackle the carbuncle within sight of Inverness Castle.
Although the building was once the home of renowned Victorian engineer Joseph Mitchell, many feel it has now gone beyond restoration.
There is added urgency with the courts set to move to a new justice centre due to be completed this year, freeing up the castle to be turned into a visitor attraction.
“I think it is now time to call it a day and demolish it,” Mr Anderson said.
“Highland Council should take out a compulsory purchase order and turn the site into viewing gardens and create some sort of memorial to Joseph Mitchell.
“I think it could be a great asset for Inverness if it was turned into a viewing area where people could sit in the summer and look out over the city.”
Mr Anderson has previously campaigned for repairs to historic landmarks including the Tweedmouth Memorial Chapel at the Royal Northern Infirmary.
“It is not easy for me to say but I feel too much time has passed now for Viewhill,” said Mr Anderson who retired from the construction industry.
“It is so long since it was gutted by fire I would think the integrity of the building is totally compromised. It is open up to the weather and I would imagine it would be difficult to bring it back to life.”
Viewhill previously served as a youth hostel and was later acquired by building firm Ewen Gillies. The present owner is believed to be Magnus Properties (Inverness).
Highland Historic Buildings Trust has pressed the case for restoring the building as eight serviced apartments but has been unable to secure the required funding estimated to be
£3.5 million in 2015.
