The start of a major £5.5 million regeneration of the Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway could be underway within months despite a funding shortfall.
Formal notices advising of the two forthcoming tenders for the main first stage of the revamp are due to be published next week.
Bids will be considered in September with works set to start soon afterwards.
A funding shortfall of nearly £594,000 has been resolved thanks to an arrangement with Western Isles Council.
The local authority will become the designated body formally carrying out the building works and thus be able to recover VAT which will cover the funding black hole.
A blueprint has been drawn up to rescue many crumbling historic features in the community-owned Stornoway Trust public park and provide new facilities to encourage more people to enjoy the spectacular grounds which is hugely popular with walkers, joggers, families and as venues for outdoor summer events.
The works will be split into two contracts, one relating to the work in the grounds and one for the restoration of buildings.
The £2.7 million ground works includes restoration of the former private gardens, historic features and planting schemes, drainage, works to paths and new facilities including signage within the grounds.
An information day and site visit for potential contractors will be held on 29 June.
Stornoway Trust Chairman, Calum Maclean, said: ‘Whilst there are heritage elements to both contracts this can be effectively delivered either by the main contractor themselves or through an effective sub-contracting arrangement.
“We have framed the tender documentation in such a way that either a specialist or generalist contractor could take the lead and submit a tender submission.”