Following in the footsteps of Dundee and creating a northern outpost of a national cultural institution is one of the ambitious ideas under consideration for a new arts quarter in Inverness.
The new Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum on Tayside is part of the £1billion regeneration of the city’s waterfront and will be the UK’s first major design museum outside London.
It has now been suggested that the Highland capital should follow suit.
Developing a partnership with a national body was one the main themes at a public meeting about a new cultural quarter in Inverness.
The workshop was organised on behalf of Highland Council by the local authority’s arms-length arts and culture body, High Life Highland.
Fiona MacAllister, membership officer for the Inverness Civic Trust, was one of 37 people who attended the event and said part of the “theoretical discussions” involved possible links with the National Portrait Gallery or a similar organisation.
She said: “Having a cultural centre in Inverness would be fab. It would be great to have something really iconic and that locals could use as well as visitors. It would bring people to the town.
“Using the example of the Discovery Centre in Dundee – it has turned itself around. Inverness is a city and we do lack certain things and a cultural development is one of those things.”
She said those at the meeting were clear that any new cultural quarter should not conflict with the existing facilities such as Eden Court Theatre and wanted to remain in discussions with the council.
Inverness Business Improvement District manager Mike Smith also took part in the workshop.
He said: “One of the main things that came out was that this needs to be a cultural destination.
“As well as being a facility for local people it needs to be a destination for the wider Highlands and visitors to the area and would be part of the economic regeneration of the city centre.”
Highland Council depute leader councillor David Alston said: “We are very pleased that people came to contribute their views. We look forward to considering these in detail, and will take them into account in deciding whether to take this idea forward to more detailed stages.
“A strong point that came out of the meeting is that people want to be involved if this project goes forward. If it does, we will consult with the community again at the early part of the next stage.”