New high quality visitor uses for Inverness Castle once the sheriff court vacates the premises, are to be explored.
The Inverness Castle Working Group yesterday agreed to commission a feasibility study which would identify and analyse a viable and economically sustainable alternative use or uses for the castle.
And work to open the North Tower as a platform for the “the grandest view” in the country, is to be progressed with a planning application before Christmas.
Scottish Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP and Highland Council leader Drew Hendry jointly chair the working group, which was formed to maximise the castle’s iconic status in the heart of the city to the benefit of the tourism economy.
A planning application will be submitted for the North Tower before Christmas, to create a viewing platform and tourist shop for visitors in the North Tower of the castle. If successful, this should enable the tower to be open to visitors in late 2015/early 2016.
Councillor Hendry said: “Work towards achieving our goal of opening up the castle as a major tourist attraction is moving on apace.
“The feasibility study is an important piece of work which will give us some options to consult with the public on. I would like to thank ministers and partners for lending their support to this important development, which will be a huge benefit to the city.”
Mr Ewing said: “There’s great progress being made by the working group to identify potential high-quality, sustainable future uses for Inverness’ most iconic building.
“The council’s development of the viewpoint in the North Tower is hugely welcome as it highlights the tourism opportunities the castle presents – not to mention giving the public access to what has been pronounced as the grandest view in Britain.
“The feasibility study is an important step in this work, as it will provide input identifying what would work best for the benefit of tourists and locals alike.”
The study will be jointly funded by Highland Council, HIE and the Scottish Government and findings are to be reported in May 2015.