Abertarff House in Inverness set to re-open to the public this month
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A historic town house in the heart of Inverness will finally re-open its doors to the public later this month.
Abertarff House in Church Street is the oldest house in Inverness, with the two and a half storey building dating back to 1593.
It has survived the conflict of Covenanting times, the Jacobite risings and two world wars, but was unable to re-open in March after seasonal winter closure because of staff shortages.
Proposed re-opening dates for June and this month also fell by the wayside, but a National Trust for Scotland spokeswoman confirmed the attraction would open on July 24.
She said: “Staffing issues have meant we will now be opening Abertarff House on July 24 and the team are looking forward to welcoming visitors and sharing the house’s fantastic heritage and stories for the rest of the summer.”
Abertarff House is usually staffed by a mix of employees and volunteers.
It features a projecting turnpike stairway and was owned briefly by the Fraser of Lovat family, whose clansman fought for the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden.
The Commercial Bank of Scotland acquired Abertarff House in the 19th century, but after being split up for housing, the site fell into disrepair.
It was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1963, and the building was restored by the Trust in 1966.
Over the past 50 years it has served a number of functions including use for the headquarters of An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Gaelic Association), a shop and the National Trust’s regional headquarters.
