Dramatic new lighting is being considered to showcase the historic Inverness Town House when its current covers finally come off.
Highland Council has applied for planning permission to fit “architectural lighting” to the main facade of the grand building.
The scheme would see lights installed on the building itself and on the pavement, rather than being floodlit from a greater distance.
Lighting experts say that this will help “highlight and define the features and character of the building”.
Highland Council has applied for planning permission to make the alterations because of the Town House’s category A-listed status.
The project will also be put before city councillors after the local elections in May.
Inverness city manager David Haas said: “As part of the renovation project on the Town House, consideration is being given to how best display the Town House at night.
“In recognition of the importance of ensuring that visitors are attracted to boost the city centre economy, officers will be presenting options for new lighting to City of Inverness Area Councillors after the elections in May.”
The plans have been lodged with a design statement by lighting consultants Lightfolio.
They said: “The lighting scheme devised for the Town House is an architectural lighting scheme rather than a floodlighting scheme.
“The difference being that this scheme serves to highlight and define the features and character of the building after dark, rather than simply throw a flat blanket of light at it from a distance, as this does little to define and celebrate the inherent craftsmanship and beauty of the building.”
Among the features proposed for highlighting include decorative elements of the facade, including the Merkat Cross and Clachnacuddin Stane.
The lighting would be made up of LEDs in an attempt to minimise energy consumption.
The Town House has been covered in a wrap for almost two years during a £4.2million refurbishment.
City manager Mr Haas revealed earlier this month that the council expect to remove the shroud and reveal the revamped exterior early in this year’s tourist season.
