Inverness Castle at night is a stunning success
On a mild October night early last week I saw the newly refurbished Inverness Castle fully lit up in all its £36 million illuminated glory and the effect was truly stunning.
That, in fact, does not do it justice. It was breathtaking, astonishing, gobsmacking, amazing, take your pick of a full range of superlatives.
The single most impressive spectacle I've seen in our ever-changing city in the past nearly 70 years? I would say so, without hestitation.
There's a time for being cynical about different elements of the unstoppable transformation of Inverness and a time for unreserved praise and acclamation. The new-look nocturnal appearance of the city's premier landmark is enshrined in the latter category.
I have no expertise whatever in lighting, architecture or visual presentation. All I have are eyes to see. And the castle lit up in different hues, internally and externally, looked nothing less than magical.
It was Disneyland looming over the Ness.
Words, however, are inadequate. People need to see it for themselves.
I don't know if what I saw was a "trial run" to test out how everything worked and I haven't been on the banks of the Ness any night since.
But even the most hardened Inverness cynics are liable to buckle when faced with the visual splendour of the castle at night.
If there is a more impressive sight in Edinburgh or Glasgow or anywhere else in Scotland I've yet to see it. In fact I'm certain there isn't.
Edinburgh Castle looks good at night but it is but a pale shadow of the spectacle I saw above the River Ness.
The riverside in recent times has been adorned by a variety of costly and deeply unimpressive artwork junk. But lighting sprinkled among trees on the riverbanks has enhanced its appearance. And who has any doubts that lighting up the Ness Bridge was anything other than a great idea.
But the illuminated transformation of the castle will change the night-time appearance of Inverness in the most dramatic and spectacular way possible.
There still must be doubts about a reported entrance fee of up to £22 for a tour of the building when it opens and how many city residents will be prepared to pay that amount.
But Inverness Castle at night promises to be a glorious spectacle.
In that ambition at least planners and designers have pulled off a remarkable triumph.