A highly-anticipated new viewing platform at Inverness Castle will undergo a final inspection today – with the aim of opening it to the public on Easter Monday.
The tourist attraction is the first phase of wider plans to make the castle into a tourist attraction – allowing opening uppanoramic views across the city and further afield.
Highland Council had been hoping the viewing platform would be ready for opening to the public by Easter last year – but extensive repairs to the castle’s eroded stonework pushed the delivery date back.
It has now confirmed that a building inspection will take place today with the hope of opening the tower next week.
The project has developed over time through funding from the City Region Deal.
In total £1.4million has been committed to the project, a rise from an original allocation of £360,000.
The original budget only covered minor internal alterations and a spiral stair to access the platform – but the increased funding has allowed a far more extensive internal revamp.
The facility will be run by High Life Highland and managed by staff from the nearby Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
The tower is expected to prove popular, but due to limited space admission will be limited to 59 people at any one time for the tower and 10 on the platform.
It is expected to be open seven days a week April to October, with extended opening hours in July and August.
A period of free entry is also proposed for a short spell after the facility opens to the public.
The wider process for bringing Inverness Castle into public use was announced last month.
Current occupants the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said the building will be the subject of a public asset transfer to Highland Council.
The council has plans to open the building to the public as a new tourism centre.
The building will not be put up for sale on the current market.
At present, the main castle building solely serves as the city’s courts.
But councillors granted planning permission at the end of February for a £23million justice centre off Longman Road, which the court service have indicated they want to open in 2019.