10 Inverness spots that have changed drastically since 2008
Inverness residents have seen many streets, schools and businesses come and go over the years, but there are certain ones that have changed more than others.
From Inshes Retail Park, to the High Street which was once home to Woolworths, Inverness’ city centre has changed drastically over the years and it got our readers sharing many fond memories of ‘the good old days’.
Here are 10 places in Inverness that have visibly changed since 2008, slide the pictures to see Inverness then and now. (All content copyright of Google Maps)
1. Milburn Academy
The old Millburn Academy closed in October 2008 after students moved into the new building. Demolition of the old school followed before installing the new sports pitches where the old building used to lie, giving the area a new lease of life.
2. Inverness Royal Academy
Inverness Royal Academy was founded in Culduthel during 1979 when it replaced the old Grammar School which had been there since around 1668. However, Construction commenced on a new building in 2014 and the new school was opened to pupils in August 2016.
3. Tesco Inshes
The unit on the Inshes roundabout, at the retail park, once included different retailers such as Co-Op, What Everyone Wants, Jolly Giant, and Great Mills.
In 2010, Tesco expanded their unit, taking over the walkway between the store and Focus, to which majorly expanded Tesco. Focus then went defunct in 2011 and the unit was later taken over by Dobbies Garden Centre which remains there today.
4. Inshes Retail Park
Bannatyne’s, Deichmann and Matalan remain the only stores which were in the Inshes Retail Park along with Tesco in 2008. Stores including Blockbusters, Happit, Brantano Footwear and Harry Ramsdens restaurant have been replaced over the years.
The retail park now includes PureGym, Hobbycraft, and newly built units which are occupied by Dunelm Mill, B&M, McDonalds and Costa Coffee.
5. High Street
The High Street has seen many changes since 2008, which still housed everyone’s favourite Woolworths at the time. However, fast forward 16 years and the only surviving stores are WH Smith’s, Lush and Shoe Zone, with a few banks remaining, in addition to McDonald’s having a facelift in 2012.
6. Academy Street
Major changes begun in 2014 on Academy Street with the street starting to grow upwards with new residential units going in as well as a few commercial units. Farmfoods closed down their unit in 2017 which was then demolished and rebuilt, opening in 2019/20 as a residential unit.
Some other changes have happened over the years including Deeno’s Sports Bar turning into what is now well know as the Rose Street Foundry.
7. Balloan Road
The old Balloan Road pitches were turned into new housing late in 2010, and officially opened in 2019. A small section has been kept of the old pitches in between the new streets with the old goalposts from Balloan Park still standing today.
8. Milton of Leys
Inshes road connecting Milton of Leys to the bottom of the hill at Inshes opened in 2010 making the journey for residents significantly quicker.
Beforehand, the A9 was the easiest and most efficient way to travel out of Milton of Leys. Since opening, more residential areas have been added all the way from Inshes up to Milton of Leys.
9. Torvean
Many changes have happened with the redevelopment of this area since 2008.
The Loch Ness Country Hotel was demolished and rebuilt as a Premier Inn and Beefeater Restaurant which opened in 2012. Major redevelopment also took place on land where Torvean Golf Club once stood with a new roundabout added.
Additionally, other parts of the course are now used as a park, while Kings Golf Club opened in 2019 on some of the site. A second swing bridge has also been added nearby at the canal.
10. UHI campus
The UHI Campus was officially completed and opened in 2015 with years of development work changing the area around the Beechwood site. From new roads and study buildings to student halls, and yet the Highland capital’s campus continues to grow.
