Work to restore the historic Inverness Town House could move forward faster than was expected.
Councillors will this week be asked to approve the second phase of the £4.2million project to protect the A-listed building for another century.
The original plan for the second of three phases was to complete the front of the building, with the third phase to focus of the Castle Street side and the rear.
But local authority officials have now said they plan to move the Castle Street section into the second phase, due for completion in 2017/18.
It will mean that only the work at the back of the building will remain, with the project to be finished by 2018/19.
The Inverness city committee will be asked this week to approve the awarding of a £1.753million contract to Laing Traditional Masonry for the second phase of the scheme.
Officials said it was the only tender returned on time.
The project includes repairs to the stonework, mortar, roof, guttering, downpipes and windows.
Historic Scotland is expected to pay up to £800,000 of the final costs.
£4.2million Inverness Town House work gathers pace
