Work on controversial riverside artwork in Inverness nears completion

Work on the controversial riverside artwork in Inverness is expected to be completed by next month.

Proposals for the My Ness (Gathering Place), an amphitheatre with curved walls on either side of the River Ness near Bught Park, have prompted some opposition and safety concerns.

Highland Council is behind the scheme and its Inverness city area manager David Haas said construction was progressing well, allowing for the stone cladding to be installed.

"Simpson Builders have worked with the artists Sans façon and the council to ensure that the precious riverscape is protected," he said.

"Higher river levels early on in the construction phase has resulted in additional time being required so as not to disturb the environment of the river."

The public, particularly Inverness Angling Club, were thanked for their co-operation.

Of the Ness Islands part, a council spokesman said: "The timescales for both sides are expected to be the same.

"This is, of course, subject to River Ness levels allowing us to proceed as planned. However, the programme does provide for the complementary section of the art piece of the Island Bank Road side of the river to open with the main section on the Bught side, contemporaneously."

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