A controversial competition to design a new public artwork for Inverness has been re-launched – four months after the unpopular “tilting pier” was axed.
Artists have been invited to submit alternative proposals for the Gathering Place project, which would be the centrepiece of a £760,000 riverside arts initiative.
The previous proposal for a £370,000 viewing platform – dubbed the “tilting pier” – was abandoned by councillors on July 1 after becoming mired in controversy.
Originally planned for the Friars Shott area of Huntly Street, the scheme was later moved to outside Eden Court Theatre, but a consultation found 59% of the public were against the idea.
After it was dumped, Scottish Government agency Creative Scotland agreed to keep its £300,000 investment on the table for a new scheme.
An evaluation panel will now meet next month to select one of the new proposals, and recommend it to the working group.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, the co-chairwoman of the working group, said: “We are looking forward to this next stage in the development of the new ‘Gathering Place’.
“The principle of community involvement and partnership in the project, aims to ensure that the artwork will be both ambitious and supported by communities in Inverness.”
A Creative Scotland spokeswoman said: “We have confirmed our funding commitment and fully support the decision to engage artists to work alongside communities in Inverness to co-create the final concept for the Gathering Place.”
The scheme is part of a wider revamp of the riverside area, with the first commission, called “River Connections”, nearing completion.
The final part of the artwork, which comprises new seating in the alcoves in Bank Street, is currently being installed.
Meanwhile, the “Sculptural Destination” by artist Annie Cattrell will create a landmark at Friar’s Shott that is informed by forecasting and belief systems of the past.
The artist will create a sculpture which echoes the “seeing stones” of myth and legend.
And artists “Dress for the Weather” will soon be installing a work called “Rest Spaces”, which is three smaller installations sited on Bank Street and Huntly Street.
Also, artists “Bespoke Atelier” and “Erz” have recently been appointed to work with students from the University of the Highlands and Islands and school pupils to create a children’s water feature.
