The process for bringing Inverness Castle into public use has been unveiled by its current occupants.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service has confirmed the building will be the subject of a public asset transfer to Highland Council.
The court service also confirmed the tourist attraction will not be put on the public market.
The council has plans to open the building to the public as a new tourism centre.
At present, the main castle building solely serves as the city’s courts.
Plans to relocate the latter took a leap forward last week after councillors granted planning permission for a new £23million justice centre off Longman Road.
A spokeswoman for the court service said: “When the SCTS is ready to move out of Inverness Sheriff Court, the building at Inverness will be the subject of a public sector asset transfer to Highland Council.
“This is in line with the guidelines set down in the Scottish Public Finance Manual.
“The building will not be offered for sale on the open market.”
At present, there is no timescale for the relocation process – but the court service has indicated they are aiming to have the justice centre open in 2019.
The first tourist offering at the castle will be a viewing platform at the top of the North Tower, which is on track to open to the public next month.
A Highland Council spokeswoman added: “Redevelopment of Inverness Castle’s North Tower, into a key visitor attraction and viewpoint, will provide spectacular views from the top, looking both south over the River Ness and beyond and north over the Ness Bridge towards the Black Isle.
“The Highland Council, Inverness Common Good Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have contributed to the cost of the project.
“City Region Deal money was also made available to improve the approaches to the North Tower and Castle, with an upgrade of Castle Wynd.
“The opening of the North Tower will make a significant contribution to revitalising the city centre and will give visitors access to Inverness Castle which has always been a long-held ambition.
“The North Tower visitor attraction will be run by High Life Highland.”
