Official re-opening of Bught Park and Northern Meeting Park in Inverness

The refurbished Bught Park and Northern Meeting Park were officially re-opened today, Wednesday 27 August 2025, by Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Minister for Scotland.

The Minister opened Bught Park this afternoon before proceeding to the Northern Meeting Park. At both venues she unveiled commemorative plaques to mark the re-opening and met with key stakeholders and community groups closely connected to the parks, recognising the important role they have played in shaping and supporting these landmark projects.

These two projects along the River Ness in Inverness are being supported with almost £20 million from the UK Government along with a third project - Castle Street Energy Centre.

The events marked an important milestone for two transformational initiatives funded through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with additional funding towards improvements provided by sportscotland’s National Lottery Fund at Bught Park and Historic Environment Scotland at Northern Meeting Park. Combined, these investments will enhance Inverness’s sporting and cultural offer, safeguard treasured heritage assets, attract more visitors to the Highlands and support progress towards a carbon-neutral future.

The Bught Park project received £9.6 million, enabling:

• The refurbishment and preservation of the grandstand
• New changing facilities
• Enhanced spectator facilities
• Improved hospitality and events infrastructure
• A new pavilion

The Northern Meeting Park project received £5.9 million, enabling:

• The refurbishment and preservation of the Victorian grandstand
• Improved access to green space in the city centre
• Enhanced sporting and cultural facilities
• A new community pavilion

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "It's fantastic to see how almost £15 million UK Government funding has significantly improved these sporting and cultural facilities for the people of Inverness and visitors to enjoy for generations to come. The UK Government is working closely with partners across Scotland, including the Highlands, to invest around £1.7 billion in local projects as we deliver a decade of national renewal as part of our Plan for Change."

Councillor Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, said:

“This is a proud moment for the Highlands, especially for the communities that use these spaces. The refurbishment of both Bught Park and Northern Meeting Park not only preserves important parts of our heritage but also creates vibrant, modern facilities that all can enjoy. We’re delighted to see these projects come to life with the support of the UK Government."

Highland Council Convener, Cllr Bill Lobban: “The future use of both Bught and Northern Meeting Parks has been secured with great thanks to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and sportscotland’s National Lottery Fund at Bught Park and Historic Environment Scotland funding at the Northern Meeting Park. The new and renovated facilities at both locations will provide excellent facilities for locals, wider Highland communities and visitors.”

All three projects will support the UK Government Net Zero Carbon agenda by providing sustainable energy to Northern Meeting Park, Bught Park and a renewable energy centre for Inverness Castle Experience.

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Additional information for Editors:

Drone footage of Northern Meeting Park and Bught Park

Northern Meeting Park https://vimeo.com/1111960304

Bught Park https://vimeo.com/1111959862

• The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund sees investment in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. 
• Under the banner of the Inverness Zero Carbon Cultural Regeneration Project – the bid brought together three projects that, when combined, will drive the environmental, cultural and economic regeneration of Inverness. 
• £19.9 million was awarded for: the development of a new energy centre in Castle Street to provide heat and energy to Inverness Castle and Inverness Town House; the Northern Meeting Park to upgrade existing facilities and provide a new community pavilion and the Bught Park Stadium Complex for improvements to existing infrastructure for more large-scale outdoor events, new changing facilities and a new pavilion. All three levelling Up Funded Projects will have a new heating source contributing to net zero targets.

Northern Meeting Park refurbishment (£5.9M): The funding will refurbish Northern Meeting Park, playing host to various professional/amateur sporting events and games since it opened in 1864.  Improvements will include:

• refurbishment and preservation of the Victorian grandstand
• improved access to city centre green space
• enhanced sporting and cultural facilities.
• a new community pavilion.
• improved infrastructure for local and major events.
• a new heating source contributing to net zero targets.

Bught Park improvements (£9.6M): Bught Park is the city’s major green space supporting a wide range of sports and events.  Improvements being funded will include:

• refurbishment and preservation of the grandstand
• new changing facilities.
• enhanced spectator facilities.
• enhanced hospitality and events infrastructure.
• a new pavilion.
• a new heating source contributing to net zero targets.

Castle Street Energy Centre (£4.4M): The Levelling Up Fund award will support the development of a new Energy Centre in Castle Street to provide heat and energy to Inverness Castle and Inverness Town House.

• A castle has overlooked the River Ness since 1037. The current castle was constructed on the site of the original in 1836, as a courthouse and prison. Now, Inverness Castle is being transformed into a world class visitor attraction.
• This is part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish Governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.