Further stonework repairs to the North Tower have been instructed

Further stonework repairs to the North Tower have been instructed to ensure the 175 year old landmark is in tip top condition for its transformation into a key tourist attraction in Inverness.

Work is well underway to convert the North Tower of Inverness Castle from office space into a visitor attraction and viewpoint with spectacular views from the top, looking both south over the River Ness and beyond and north over the Ness Bridge towards the Black Isle.

The Council, Inverness Common Good Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have all contributed to the cost of the project, which includes new access, a shop and a stairway to the roof and viewing platform. City Region Deal money was also made available to improve the approaches to the North Tower and Castle, with an upgrade of Castle Wynd.

During the course of the project, significant eroding of the stonework has been identified which will require further comprehensive stone repairs to the fabric of the North Tower. This means pushing back the building completion and handover date by a few weeks until December.

Project Manager Jason Kelman said: “It is important that these repairs are carried out during the current building project. If we left the repairs to a later date, it would mean putting scaffolding back in place and it would cost more. The project is being carried out with every effort to minimise any disruption to visitors.

“Following completion and handover by the contractors, there will be a ‘fit-out’ period in the first weeks of the new year to get the Tower ready to receive its first visitors. The North Tower will be managed by High Life Highland who aim to open the attraction to visitors by Easter.”

Director of Development and Infrastructure, Stuart Black added: “Additional funding from the initial tranche of the City-Region Deal was also made available for the wider project and to improve access to the castle grounds and environment.”

Photo: Project Manager Jason Kelman and Director of Development and Infrastructure Stuart Black survey the progress at the top of the North Tower.