LISTEN: New Location For River Ness Tilting Pier
ICArts select new site from five options for River Ness Art Project's centrepiece "The Gathering Place"
Members of the Inverness City Arts (ICArts) Working Group have agreed an alternative location for “The Gathering Place” or tilting pier - which had originally been touted for Friars Shott on Huntly Street. The new location is at Ness Walk in front of Eden Court. Representatives included Inverness BID, Inverness and Loch Ness Tourism BID, and Inverness City Heritage Trust along with ICArts Working Group Members. Also involved, Creative Scotland reaffirmed their backing for the £750,000 project, with the development body set to account for 40% of the cost. Chair of the ICArts Working Group is Cllr Ken Gowans:- Mike Smith, Inverness BID Manager said: “A major artwork for Inverness at this location would enhance the short stay tourist trail especially with the major drop off for coaches on Ardross Street. Landscaping would take into account the needs of pedestrians and cyclists" Graeme Ambrose, Chief Executive, Inverness and Loch Ness Tourism BID reiterated the full support of Visit Loch Ness in finding a solution for ‘The Gathering Place’, he said: “We believe that this project is too important to just be ‘put aside’. ‘The Gathering Place’ art work is an innovative piece of work which we believe is integral to the success of the whole artworks programme and that an alternative satisfactory location must be found.”