Home   News   Article

Forestry team objects to planned transformation of Inverness Castle


By Val Sweeney

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Forestry officers say the plans for the transformation of Inverness Castle do not protect trees on the site.
Forestry officers say the plans for the transformation of Inverness Castle do not protect trees on the site.

Forestry officers have objected to plans for the transformation of Inverness Castle into a major tourist attraction, citing a lack of protection for trees on the site.

Statutory applications have been lodged with Highland Council revealing the designs and landscaping proposals to create a "must-see" attraction to celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

But the council’s forestry team has lodged an objection pending further information.

Grant Stuart, the council’s forestry officer for south Highland, says the site has a visually-prominent western embankment planted with broadleaf and conifer species of all ages and lies within the riverside conservation area which affords trees protection.

He states there is no protection plan showing how retained trees would be safeguarded from construction.

He also says the proposed site plan does not show root protection areas (RPA) and some trees have not been shown at all.

Mr Stuart continues: "It would appear from the proposed site plan that the formation of a western embankment path, planted embankments and sets of steps as well as a new path southwards to Castle Road would have a significant adverse impact on the RPA of existing protected trees.

"I am concerned that the tree survey has not been used to help design the layout of the site nor has it been used to help protect the trees on site.

"There are no landscape plans in support of the application to show how the applicant intends to enrich the site with new planting nor how they intend to replace any trees which would need to be removed."

A spokeswoman for the project said: "Statutory applications for listed building consent and building warrant approval were submitted to Highland Council in January for the planned transformation of Inverness Castle to become a tourism gateway for the Highlands and we await the outcome of that process."

An artist's impression of how Inverness Castle will look.
An artist's impression of how Inverness Castle will look.

The project is supported by a £15 million Scottish Government and £3 million UK government investment through the city-region deal.

It will create a gateway for Highland tourism, contributing to reinvigoration of tourism across the area and providing much needed investment for the industry to aid the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project will support economic growth throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and "must-see" attraction which will celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

Related story: Landscaping proposals for transformation of Inverness Castle include plants native to Highlands


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More