A key city centre road is finally due to re-open today as work nears completion on the restoration of a fire-ravaged building in the heart of Inverness.
Restrictions on Strothers Lane are expected to be lifted after months of disruption caused by a blaze which destroyed one of the oldest buildings in the Highland capital.
The finishing touches are being made to the interior of the M&Co clothing store on Academy Street, which was gutted in the dramatic fire in April last year.
The shop is now expected to re-open to customers early next month.
The listed building dates back to 1792 when it was constructed as the original Inverness Royal Academy – giving Academy Street its name.
A total of 46 firefighters from throughout the Highlands were called in after the fire broke out, with crews remaining at the site for several days.
The roof and first floor collapsed in the inferno, as well as the internal steel work.
The renovation work at the site has caused major disruption in the city centre, including road closures and temporary traffic lights.
The scaffolding and hoardings have now been removed, revealing the extent of the restoration.
City centre organisation Inverness BID said: “It’s great to see the hoarding has now been removed and preparations to re-open Strothers Lane are under way.
“The road is expected to reopen tomorrow with M&Co re-opening in early September.”
The M&Co shop has been temporarily based at a unit in the Eastgate Shopping Centre since last October.
Above the store, there are three office suites to let in the building.
Project manager Kenneth Veitch, of construction consultants CRGP, said: “Progress has been very good and currently ahead of the approximate dates mentioned previously.
“Compass Building and Construction Services started to dismantle their site set-up last week and are planning to remove the hoarding today, which will hopefully allow the adjacent roads to be fully re-opened.
“Internal fitting-out works are ongoing, and will continue for the next few weeks.
“The store itself and the three office suites for let above are looking fantastic.”
