An Inverness pub has claimed to have unearthed evidence that it is the oldest in the city.
Church Street bar Lauders said it found a map of the city centre that shows it could date all the way back to 1774.
The pub is currently undergoing refurbishment and manager Peter Carroll said they had made an effort to check out the bar’s heritage while looking to its future.
The Gellions on Bridge Street currently claims to be the oldest pub in the city, dating back to 1841
Official archive licensing records only go as far back as 1852.
Lauders manager Peter Carroll said: “People of Inverness are proud of our heritage.
“As we were planning the works, we wanted to understand our own history so started researching.
“However, the council licensing archives for the only go back to 1852.
“What we did find though was a map with the premises on dating back to 1774, and as there have been so few owners, we believe that it has been a bar for that long, which would make it the oldest pub in Inverness.
“It is also well known as the only bar in Inverness with a revolving door.”
Gellions landlord Rory Munro said several pubs including The Phoenix and The Market Bar had also claimed to be the oldest in Inverness.
He added that he would not get into a dispute with Lauders over the claim.
Lauders is due to reopen to patrons on Thursday, March 23, after a £100,000 investment to refurbish the premises.
Its owners say that the refit will maintain its traditional Scottish decor alongside modern sports viewing facilities.
It is one of a number of recent investments in bars and nightlife around the city centre and particularly Church Street.
The Revolution Bars chain recently won permission to open its first branch in the Highlands in the former McEwans of Perth department store building.
The Black Isle Brewery opened its first public bar last summer on the same street.
