New plans have been unveiled to breathe fresh life into a fire-ravaged city-centre mansion.
Historic Viewhill House in the Highland capital’s Old Edinburgh Road has been an eyesore since a mystery blaze left it a derelict shell seven years ago.
A bid by owner Magnus Properties to have the B-listed building demolished several years ago was initially backed but then rejected by the government after Historic Scotland stepped in.
The building has remained disused and shrouded in scaffolding since the fire in 2007
The favoured option to return it to its former glory would involve redeveloping it to create eight self-catering flats.
But cost will be a major obstacle – with the repairs estimated at more than £3.3million.
The Highland Historic Buildings Trust (HHBT) is considering four options for the mansion’s use, which also include a boutique hotel, town houses or offices and conference space.
The schemes were put on display to the public yesterday.
The trust’s design team said the most viable use was self-catering apartments, because there was a growing market for these in the city.
HHBT chairman, John Duncan, said: “We are working hard with the design team to rescue this local landmark but we need to find a viable and sustainable use which has the support of the local community.
“The local community’s comments are an essential part of the process and we are keen to gather views on the options proposed and obtain as many comments as possible.”
Leslie Hunter, an architectural consultant from Cullen and member of the trust’s design team, said: “This is the one option that we think has got the strongest financial case to be made.
“The funders will only grant aid if they see a business case for the long-term future of the building.
“Part of the scheme will also have to include an educational space for the public so that it keeps the cultural link to the community.”
Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said: “I would like to see something that would give an interpretation of the history which is behind the building.
“But I do have concerns about the access to the site at Viewhill Gate, because the wall there is deteriorating. I think we need a clear understanding of what the owners want to be done with it.”
Plans on display yesterday at Inverness Town House showed that the mansion’s exterior walls would be retained.
It is hoped that groups such as the Architectural Heritage Fund, Inverness City Heritage Trust and the Inverness Common Good Fund could contribute to the project.
Viewhill House was built in the 1830s by Forres-born civil engineer Joseph Mitchell. Its last use was as a popular youth hostel.
The cause of the 2007 blaze remains a mystery and a full fire investigation was never carried out because of the dangerous state of the walls.
At the time of the blaze, the building was being converted by local company Ewen Gillies Builders.