The historic Town House in the centre of Inverness will be shown in a new light when its current covers finally come off.
Plans for dramatic new lighting designed to better showcase the building have been give the green light.
Highland Council will install “architectural lighting” to the main facade of the grand building.
The scheme will mean 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 had to apply for planning permission to make the alterations because of the Town House’s category A-listed status.
The building is currently undergoing a major £4.2million restoration project, meaning it has been under wraps for the past two years.
The plans only attracted one comment from consultees – with Historic Environment Scotland asking for assurance that the lighting and associated cabling would be “sufficiently discreet”.
The agency added: “We are supportive of the principle of architectural lighting which will highlight the very significant investment by Highland Council in securing the future of this building.”
Council planners approved the proposals under delegated powers – with a number of conditions stipulating that details about the installation of the lights are made clear before work begins.
They said the principle was “acceptable” but said assessing the impact of installation was “problematic” because of the covers and scaffold.
The project is due to be put before the new Inverness city area committee before going ahead.
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 to minimise energy consumption. The Town House has been covered up for almost two years during a £4.2million refurbishment.
