BANCON Construction Ltd has secured the main construction contract on the £35 million refurbishment of Inverness Castle.
The Highland Council has visions of the attraction becoming a ‘gateway’ for tourism in the Highlands, with Bancon’s work to include the reopening of the original front entrance; improving accessibility to all parts of the building; enhancing the grounds; contemporary additions to the building including a new café space; and creating new external viewing terraces.
The firm’s contract will run for two-and-a-half years, and be followed by the fit-out of the new visitor experience – meaning that the visitor attraction will have a planned opening date in 2025.
Allan Clow, MD of Bancon Construction, said, “We are both honoured and excited to be awarded the redevelopment works at Inverness Castle. To be involved in such a high-profile project that will transform the castle into a fantastic new tourist attraction, is extremely exciting.
“This is a unique project with a strong connection to the local community and tourists alike, and we will align our expertise and experience and transform the Castle and grounds to become a tourism gateway for the Highlands. This project is a huge boost for the construction industry and the local economy, and we look forward to starting on site and building on our partnerships with both the client and design team.”
Scottish Government economy secretary, Kate Forbes, added, “This marks a significant step towards the creation of an exciting new visitor attraction which will be a major contributor to the region’s sustainable, long-term recovery from the pandemic. Once complete, the redevelopment of Inverness Castle is estimated to generate net additional expenditure of £13.9 million a year and will create the equivalent of an extra 275 full time jobs in the region.
“We need to ensure that this project acts as a catalyst for the promotion and development of leisure, culture and sustainable tourism across the wider Highland region.”
