Highland Council has completed the £5.275million purchase of a eyesore-buildings in the centre of Inverness to redevelop.
The site, situated on Bridge Street, is expected to support the development of Inverness Castle and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “I am pleased to confirm that the purchase of this site in Bridge Street, Inverness has been successfully completed, and that the site is now in the ownership of The Highland Council.
“Making this purchase a reality is good news and will be a transformational opportunity for the economic growth of both Inverness and the Highlands.
“The support from Scottish Government to make this happen, through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, has been vital and will ensure the Highland economy benefits from tourism for the long term.”
The purchase was announced and council and government officials completed the deal yesterday at a price of £5.275m, through borrowing by the Highland Council and a contribution of £1.5million from the Scottish Government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
Cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing, said: “I welcome that the purchase has now been completed, a purchase that was made possible by the contribution of £1.5m of City-Region Deal funding from the Scottish Government.
“This will now allow master planning for the whole rejuvenation of the area to begin; replacing an unloved carbuncle with high quality tourism development that will deliver on Inverness Castle’s potential to be a world class visitor attraction.”