Historic Inverness Castle – the home of the city’s sheriff court – could be turned into a top tourist attraction.
Proposals to explore transforming the castle will be taken forward by a new working group.
A joint task force between Highland Council and the Scottish Government will consider how best to make use of the building for both visitors and people living in the city.
There have been calls in the past for the court to be moved elsewhere and the castle to be used as a visitor centre or museum.
A remit and proposed membership of representatives from civic and public bodies, will be discussed by the working group at its first meeting in the autumn.
It will be chaired by tourism minister Fergus Ewing and Highland Council leader, councillor Drew Hendry.
Mr Hendry said: “It would be great for the city of Inverness to get Inverness Castle into use as a key tourist attraction. For too long, visitors to the city have been able to look at the castle but haven’t been able to get access.
“That’s not good enough for this city going forward. For people who come to Scotland one of the top ‘must-see’ attractions to visit are castles and Inverness needs to display its castle in its best light and that’s not as a working court house.
“I hope that the initiative taken forward by the minister to set up this joint working group will allow us to move to a position where we can provide genuine access and get full value from our wonderful Inverness Castle.”
Mr Ewing said: “Our new working group will consider all the long-term proposals and compile a comprehensive consultation document allowing members of the public to have their say.
“The current occupants of the castle are the sheriff court and justice of the peace court. Clearly any plans regarding possible relocation of these services will be considered thoroughly by the Scottish Court Service, Scottish Government and Highland Council.”
