Councillors will be asked tomorrow to commit £200,000 towards refurbishment of war mem- orials in the region.
With the anniversary of the start of World War I just a few months away, attention is being focussed on the plaques and statues throughout Scotland which commemorate the names of those killed in conflict.
It is hoped that the work will be completed by the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.
Highland Council is responsible for 175 war memorials, from Cromdale to Wick.
Some consist of plaques mounted on church walls or a stone statue in a town centre.
Some memorials in smaller villages have only a handful of names, while others, such as Inverness’s Cavell Gardens, hold several large plaques.
Required work includes structural repairs and re-pointing, cleaning bronze plates and re-painting and replacing lettering. Council estimates for repairs and refurbishment stand at £310,000.
Members of the finance, housing and resources committee will be asked to commit a total of £200,000 from the council’s capital discretionary fund.
Some £50,000 will be given each year for the next four years so that work can be completed. Further funding is expected to be given by the War Memorials Trust.
A report to the council last year stated that 23 memorials were assessed as having potential structural defects.
Historic Scotland will be asked to give permission for work on memorials which are listed in the protective register.