Residents of a neglected part of Inverness have taken the first steps towards drawing up a masterplan for the future development of the area.
South Kessock, Merkinch and the Muirtown Basin were all under the microscope during two days of workshops led by the Highland Council and Scottish Canals.
Flooding, leisure and access were among the subjects under discussion and the railway line, which divides the Carse Industrial Estate from the South Kessock and Merkinch housing estates, was picked out as a major barrier to people getting from one area to the other.
Further leisure development around the Muirtown Basin could also be on the cards, including a base for the local Sea Scouts.
Bringing businesses back to the area is also a major priority. The Telford Street area was badly affected by the loss of B&Q several years ago and many retail units in the surrounding area are vacant.
Christopher Breslin, planning and design manager with Scottish Canals, said: “People feel that South Kessock is treated as almost a dead end. It’s is difficult to find your way there and then you have to come back the same road.
“The lack of connections is something that everyone wants to address.”
At yesterday’s session, members of the design teams from both organisations worked with members of the public to draw up maps of how the area should develop and last night residents were invited to see the plans.
Roderick Mackenzie, a designer, said he was interested in preserving and promoting the heritage of the area.
He added that he believed there was potential for a cafe at the Muirtown Basin to greet yachts arriving from overseas.
The masterplan will now be scrutinised and a follow-up workshop held in March.
The blueprint will then be passed to the Highland Council before local authority planners draw up their own proposals.
The council hopes to finalise a development brief for the area by June.