Hard work starts now to turn Inverness Castle into major tourist attraction
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IT will be full steam ahead next month as work begins in earnest to transform Inverness Castle into a major new tourist attraction celebrating the spirit of the Highlands.
As the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service prepares to leave its home of more than 180 years for a new purpose-built justice centre, the next stage has been announced in the castle’s future as a base for galleries, restaurants, bars and cafés.
It marks a significant step following a long-running campaign, supported by the Inverness Courier, to turn the building into a “must-see” attraction – something that people will not visit when they simply happen to be in the city, but will travel specifically to Inverness to experience.
Initial work will begin with applications for listed building consent, building warrant, demolition warrant and a change of use between March and June.
The contract for the enabling works, including demolition, asbestos surveys, timber preservation surveys and structural checks, will go to tender in May, while the main construction is expected to begin by early summer next year.
Highland Council, which is leading the project, hopes work will be completed by 2025.
Jason Kelman, the council’s project officer, said things have now reached an important stage, with the courts due to move out on March 27.
“From then on, it’s full steam ahead with the project to get things moving,” he said.
The final designs for the attraction are expected to be agreed later this year while the cost has yet to be determined.
Mr Kelman said it will be covered as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315 million investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
“We are also looking at other funding sources as well,” he added.
Fiona Hampton of High Life Highland, which is managing the project, said they could now begin to get a fuller understanding of the work required and work out timescales.
“It is a very significant milestone – in essence, we have been planning for this point for years,” she said.
Leading consultant Stuart MacKellar, of LDN Architects, is also excited at having a proper look at the building after the courts have moved out.
“That is when we will really get under the skin of the building,” he said. “I am hoping to reveal some of its secrets.”
A landscape architect is working on initial designs for the surroundings and preliminary ecological assessments will also be undertaken.
A planning application will be submitted next month to put up hoardings to screen the castle during construction immediately following Doors Open Days from May 8-10 when the public will get an insight into the future vision for the castle.
After city councillors were updated on the progress yesterday, Ness-side councillor Ron MacWilliam said the project was the most positive and exciting investment the city had seen in many years.
“What is vital is that all involved parties get the project right from the outset – public expectations are high, and rightly so,” he said.
Related article: Highland Council reveals more details of plans to transform Inverness Castle
