By Philip Murray

Copyright inverness-courier

Controversial plans to enclose the grounds of Inverness Castle have been given the green light despite opposition from a heritage group.

Highland Council lodged plans earlier this year to reintroduce long since removed railings around the boundary of the castle grounds as part of the wider transformation of the historic site into a major tourist attraction.

The plan is for the new black railings to run from Castle Wynd round the Castle Street wall and close to the existing road entrance at View Place before swinging across the grounds to the fence above the riverside slope. New gates would also be installed at existing access points.

Highland Council’s design agents, LDN Architects, argued in supporting statements that the new railings will effectively restore those long since lost as a result of a famous landslide in 1932 and the use of the metal for the war effort in the 1940s.

They added: “The primary objective is to enhance safety and site management. In recent years, the absence of a continuous barrier has led to antisocial behaviour, encouraged informal pedestrian access over the embankment, and created a risk of falls.

“The reinstatement of railings aims to discourage such movement, protecting both people and the landscape, and provide a formalised edge to the Castle Esplanade that is in keeping with the civic and historic character of the site.

But critics argued that almost a century has passed since the grounds were last fully enclosed, and that the city’s residents have long since grown accustomed to enjoying round-the-clock access to them and their popular view overlooking the River Ness.

Indeed, the new railings will seal off most of the site from public access when the gates are shut.

Drawings included with the plans show that a small section of the grounds in the southernmost corner – where the standing stone marking the end of the Great Glen Way has traditionally been located – will not be included within the new boundary fence.

But the famous Flora MacDonald statue and the more elevated parts of the slope, which enjoy better views of the river and cathedral, will be inside the railings, as too will the castle itself, which marks the start and end point of the North Coast 500 touring route.

And although Highland Council has stressed that the gates are “intended” to remain open to the public from 8am to 10pm each day, the move will end hitherto unfettered round-the-clock access to the popular riverside setting.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) voiced its concerns over the “inappropriate” proposals warning that they will harm century-long public access to the grounds and undermine amenity and the historic site.

The convenor of the AHSS Highlands and Islands Cases Panel, Mandy Wrenn, said: “We find the industrial, sectional design of the proposed railings inappropriate for such a significant historic site.

“In our view, a more traditional style of railing, one that follows the natural contours of the ground, would be far more suitable and sympathetic to the setting.

“Additionally, we are concerned that enclosing the castle grounds with gates and railings will have a negative impact on public access and amenity. The grounds of Inverness Castle have been freely accessible to the public for over a century, forming an important civic and cultural space.

“This proposal risks undermining the long-established public relationship with the site and detracts from, rather than enhances, its historic and civic value.”

Another objection was also lodged by an Inverness resident, Mr A Tognarelli, who shared the heritage society’s concerns over the impact on a public open space, and also questioned the council’s claim that the grounds being open from 8am to 10pm would mitigate against this.

They resident said: “Despite the claim of gate ‘opening hours’, which weary and late Great Glen Way adventurer hasn’t wanted an ‘out of hours’ photo with Flora MacDonald in the midnight summer sun? (as the route starts at the castle), or the North Coast cyclists starting from the landmark at 6am?”

Granting approval under delegated powers, Highland Council planning officer, Ross Cubey, said: “In response [to the AHSS and objector], the design has been developed in consultation with the Historic Environment Team (Conservation), who support the revised approach, including the use of a stylised thistle motif and gateway features that reference historic elements.

“Public access concerns are noted but fall outside the scope of listed building consent, which is limited to assessing the impact of the works on the architectural and historic interest of the building.”

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