Work on transforming Inverness Castle into a major tourist attraction has passed “another big milestone”.
Engineers working on the multi-million pound Inverness Castle Experience project have confirmed that the site’s Energy Centre is now complete and providing power. The building is intended to supply clean renewable energy via heat pumps to the castle and nearby Town House, and is expected to significantly cut the CO₂ output of the two buildings.
Work within the castle’s North Tower is also expected to be finished by the middle or end of January.
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If the project remains on course over winter, the Inverness Castle Experience is expected to open sometime in the middle of the year, and will create around 90 jobs when it opens its doors.
Jason Kelman, Highland Council’s principal project manager, detailed the progress in an update video this week.
Speaking from within the castle, he said: “There’s been a lot of progress within the North Tower over the last few months. We’re looking at that being near enough complete, if not fully complete, by sort of mid/end of January.
“The building we’re in at the moment is the new link building, which is going to hold the new restaurant and café. This is the last area which will be complete before the fit-out contractors come in, and the fit-out will be ready to be starting some point ibn March/April time.
Work on the Inverness Castle Experience is progressing.
“We’re coming into the winter period. We’re still trying to get wind and watertight within this link building. If the weather is favourable and on our side we’ll be okay. Works are progressing well at the moment to hit the programme dates for opening.
“The other big area that we’re working on at the moment is the external landscaping works and there’s a considerable amount of work to be undertaken. Within those, that item of work we’re getting on vey well right now.
“The Energy Centre is now complete and it’s up and running and it’s also connected to the castle so we now have power.
“Water has obviously been a big issue for us, trying to find the right connection and working with Scottish Water. I’m glad to report we’re actually through all those issues now and the water is getting connected, and in general our statutory services are now all in place.
“It’s another big milestone for us.”