Specialist contractors are to carry out repairs to a partially collapsed ceiling in the historic North Tower of Inverness Castle.
Listed building consent has been granted under delegated powers for the work at the category A-listed landmark building in the Highland capital.
It emerged in January that damp had led to a 10ft by 7ft section of the ceiling falling away in an exhibition room in the tower’s first floor.
Investigations found that many of the wooden laths were in “very poor condition”.
Experts warned that the “entire ceiling is susceptible to further movement and should be replaced with plasterboard”.
The application for the work was lodged by the local authority just a week after Prince Andrew toured the North Tower, with a special plaque having been placed in the building to mark his visit.
Historic Environment Scotland was consulted on the proposal to repair the ceiling and raised no objection.
However, planning officials previously warned that the work should not be viewed as “setting a precedent for all such situations”.
Highland Council confirmed last week that the North Tower of castle would be opened as a tourist attraction by Easter as expected, with a new £360,000 viewing platform having been created on the tower.
Inverness Castle was built in 1836 on a mound that was believed to have been the location of previous castles dating back to the 11th century.
In 1848, a building known as the North Block was added and served as a prison, and it is owned by the local authority today.
The castle itself is also due to be revamped and turned into a tourist attraction when the court service moves out of the building to a new £23million justice centre in the Longman area of the city by 2019, which was approved by councillors two weeks ago.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service confirmed last week that the building would be the subject of a public asset transfer to Highland Council.