Landscaping plans for Inverness Castle submitted

Proposals to transform the Inverness Caste grounds have been submitted to Highland Council.

Landscaping plans include new hard and soft landscaping, seating areas, viewpoints and feature plantings which reflect the native species of the Highlands.

The proposals are part of the statutory applications for the planned transformation for the Castle.

These can be seen on The Highland Council planning portal, within the application for listed building consent and building warrant approval submitted last month by project architects LDN Architects.

These applications are in preparation for the main building works contract which will be subject to a tender process beginning in spring of 2021.

Enabling works are already underway involving demolition work, asbestos surveys, timber preservation surveys and structural checks.

The transformation of Inverness Castle is supported by £15 million Scottish Government and £3 million UK Government investment through the city region deal.

It will create a gateway for Highland tourism, contributing to reinvigoration of tourism across the area and providing much needed investment for the industry to aid the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project will support economic growth throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and “must-see” attraction that will celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

The Inverness and Highland City Region deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

The planning application can be viewed on the Council’s eplanning site https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ using the following reference 21/00100/FUL and 21/00103/LBC.