Fresh look needed to decide future of historic Inverness house damaged by fire 17 years ago, says buildings trust
A fresh look is needed to decide the future of a derelict B-listed Inverness house which is at risk of total collapse, a historic buildings trust is urging.
Viewhill House – located near Inverness Castle – was once the former home of renowned Victorian engineer Joseph Mitchell and later served as a youth hostel but was badly damaged by fire 17 years ago.
Over the years, there have been repeated debates and meetings with some calling for its restoration while others say it is time to demolish the remaining ruins.
A re-survey of the structure has found further deterioration and is at risk of collapse - but also concludes it could be restored.
The Highland Historic Buildings Trust (HHBT) says it will continue its efforts to secure a future for the building and is calling for a fresh look to be taken at possible options.
• Call to demolish derelict historic building in Inverness
• New campaign to restore Viewhill House in Inverness to former glory
The trust, a registered charity, is dedicated to restoring and returning to use the region’s built heritage.
It describes itself as a “restorer of last resort” and has long had an interest in Viewhill House before and after the blaze in 2007 destroyed much of the building’s fabric.
Douglas Graham, voluntary company secretary, said: “Given the passage of time, with the prior approval of the owner and funding provided by Highland Council and Historic Environment Scotland, a re-survey of the property was carried out earlier this year by Narro, Structural Engineers who carried out an inspection and provided a report in 2010.”
The re-survey concluded: “The building was found to have deteriorated further but the external walls are still in fair structural condition, and it is concluded that the building can be restored with careful propping of the external walls.
“It is noted that the building is very much at risk of total collapse if remedial measures – particularly- weather protection are not carried out timeously.’
Mr Graham said: “Within the scope of its limited resources, in conjunction with other interested parties and in view of the building’s historical significance, the trust will continue its efforts to secure a future for the building.’
An options appraisal carried out 10 years ago identified various potential schemes including the possibility of converting it into eight serviced apartments.
However, the proposal failed to attract an operator.
HHBT was also keen to incorporate a permanent exhibition on the works of Joseph Mitchell across the Highlands including water supply schemes, road building and the railway network as well as his work alongside Thomas Telford on the Caledonian Canal.
Mr Graham said in the wake of the re-survey, it was time for another look at Viewhill House especially as the market had changed for apartments.
He also acknowledged the covid panademic had altered many things and the funding landscape had changed, too.
“What happens next is that we have a proper think about it and see whether or not anything can be done to move things forward,” he said.
“Things have moved on quite a bit since the original situation.
“Ten years on, it would be appropriate to get another options appraisal and to have another look at things to see whether the funding landscape is now now capable of producing the necessary funds.”
He personally felt there was an argument that it should be looked at afresh with fresh eyes by people who had not previously been involved.
“I think the trust sees this as having been going on for too long and it needs to be brought to a conclusion,” he said.
After the fire in September 2007, owners Magnus Properties sought permission to demolish the building.
But Historic Scotland, the forerunner to Historic Environment Sscotland, advised Scottish ministers to refuse permission in 2011.
