July 3 2019

A dilapidated B-listed building within the Inverness Riverside Conservation Area is to be converted into eight flats and a ground floor commercial unit under planning proposals prepared by CRGP.

Dating from the 18th century the current structure has been served with a dangerous buildings notice by Highland Council since falling into disuse.

Renovation plans detail a twin-track approach for the city centre site, conserving the Castle Street frontage while rebuilding an interior courtyard to create a more open environment, retaining a historic gateway to reopen a former through route at a later date.

Contained within the courtyard are the remains of a historic gateway. This would have been the entrance to a long staircase that would have led to Ardconnal Terrace. At the top of this staircase was where public hangings once took place. Hence why the gateway is inscribed with the phrase ‘Feir God, dvt not’ (fear God, doubt not).”

As part of this work, the rear of the building will be rebuilt on the same footprint with later extensions demolished and new setts laid.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Donnie on 5 Jul 2019 at 12:11 PM

Great news and on the back of the very successful Raining Stairs development just down the road. Looks like a simple, modern design which will complement the surrounding area. It would have been amazing to some retail units at ground floor - it would have made a really interested little courtyard for cafes and/or small retailers. However,appreciate the financial issues for a scheme like this.

#2 Posted by Martin Russell on 18 Apr 2021 at 13:50 PM

Is this not a missed opportunity? There is so little of 'old' Inverness left and now we are about to replace 18th century buildings with modern flats. Well, everybody makes more money that way, I guess. Inverness should have a motto: "If it's old, knock it down."

#3 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 19 Apr 2021 at 12:39 PM

You are quite right Martin. Lets just leave dangerously dilapidated buildings to further rot.

When it collapses and kills someone, we could just tell their family it could have been worse; there could have been modern flats there instead of the dangerous building.

#4 Posted by SneckieMun on 19 Apr 2021 at 14:08 PM

My beef is the difference between retained and re-built. They've demolished it to be rebuilt which is NOT the same as facade retention. CRGP did good work on M&CO. though so if replicated here this will be a nice little project.

#5 Posted by George MacDonald on 22 Jul 2022 at 15:46 PM

Firstly, the steps would lead to Ardconnel Street not Terrace. Secondly, your information re. the steps led to the place of hangings is wrong. Am Baile where you obviously got this from has amended this as it initially had "Doomsdale" as being these steps when it is Castle Street which was called "Doomsdale" and led to the place of hanging (in the area of Muirfield Rd.)

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