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Work delayed on the historic Caledonian Canal in the Highlands at the Muirtown Basin near Inverness


By Neil MacPhail

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Robertson Construction at the Muirtown Basin Picture: James Mackenzie
Robertson Construction at the Muirtown Basin Picture: James Mackenzie

SOME work on a £3.46 million Inverness community hub with pedestrian links to the historic Caledonian Canal at Muirtown Basin has been delayed.

The Treehouse project required listed building consent from the national guardian of protected structures, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), because the Caledonian Canal is considered an ancient monument.

Contractors Robertson Construction are working on the project for Scottish Canals, who run the waterway.

A spokesman for Scottish Canals said: “Work on the Treehouse project is well under way and we look forward to opening the new development which is on schedule to be completed by June 2022.

“There has been no intervention from any organisation in relation to work on the Treehouse Project in Inverness, however towpath improvement works are delayed until the arrival of a specialist contractor who we expect will arrive on site soon.

“As a responsible partner in community-led regeneration Scottish Canals work closely with our funders, communities and regulatory bodies to ensure that our design and build schedule meets the highest possible standards and is delivered compliantly and safely.”

A spokeswoman for HES said: “We consented two sets of works at the site in 2019, one for the building of a community hub and the other for the erection of access paths.

“The community hub was granted consent on condition that the applicant, Scottish Canals, supplied a scheme of archaeological works for approval by HES before works could take place, and we are still waiting for that information.”

She added: “All of Scotland’s canals are designated as scheduled monuments in recognition of their national importance. Scheduling means that most works require Scheduled Monument Consent from HES beforehand.”

The Treehouse will feature a community meeting space, training space, offices, outdoor and water sports berths and storage, a canal college, and a café, with enhanced access to surrounding commercial areas and the Merkinch Nature Reserve.

Scottish Canals described it as a major regeneration project to improve and reinforce access for Merkinch and South Kessock residents and the wider community through towpath and footpath improvements together with a number of new or enhanced access points.

The project has been funded by the Scottish Government, Highland Council (Inverness Common Good Fund and Vacant Derelict Land Fund), NatureScot and Sustrans.

READ: WATCH: NHS Highland urges people in Inverness and the Highlands to get the 'right care in the right place' over the festive period – as case numbers for Covid increase


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