The re-opening of Inverness Castle following a multimillion-pound revamp is set to be one of the most significant developments for the Highlands in 2025.
As business and civic leaders reflect on the outgoing year and consider the challenges and opportunities in 2025, they cite the much-heralded transformation of the castle into a tourist attraction as a long-awaited key moment for the city.
For almost three years, the castle has remained shrouded in scaffolding while behind the scenes, work has gathered pace on converting the former court rooms, corridors and offices into a tourist attraction celebrating the Spirit of the Highlands.
Will it live up to the promised description of a “world class” tourist attraction, providing visitors with an immersive and educational experience?
The public will be able to give its verdict when the doors reopen in mid-2025.
• Royal pedigree for person who will head up Inverness Castle Experience attraction
• PICTURES: Stripped-back interior of Inverness Castle revealed ahead of work to transform it into gateway visitor attraction
Garry Marsden, the incoming head of the Inverness Castle Experience said it will be an important addition to the Highlands in 2025, showcasing the region’s unique landscape, heritage, culture and people through an interactive celebration of Highland spirit.
“Recruitment for key members of our senior team begins in January and we will be looking for individuals who are not only passionate about the Highlands but also bring expertise, exceptional customer care, and strong people skills to help us make every visitor’s experience truly memorable,” he said.
More job opportunities will be available further into 2025 which Mr Marsden said will be essential for supporting the local economy and showcasing the best of the Highlands.
The project, carried out under the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, is not the only one set to reach an exciting milestone in 2025.
An artist’s illustration of the shinty pitch at Inverness Bught Park where the sports facilities are being upgraded.
The Northern Meeting Park refurbishment and upgrades to Bught Park, being carried out under the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund, should also be completed.
Councillor Ian Brown, Highland Council’s Inverness leader and chairman of the Levelling Up Fund programme board, said: “These upgraded public spaces will be a fantastic asset for both local Highland communities and visitors alike, including two brand new pavilions which, amongst other facilities will be available to hire through site managers High Life Highland.”
But some well-known city landmarks face a more uncertain future.
The Old High Church in Inverness is back on the market.
The historic Old High Church was recently put back on the market by the Church of Scotland for offers of over £150,000 after the previously-agreed sale fell through when the prospective buyer was unable to produce the funds following 12 months of negotiations.
There have also been renewed calls for a fresh look to decide the future of the derelict B-listed Viewhill House – once the former home of renowned Victorian engineer Joseph Mitchell and later a youth hostel – which was badly damaged by fire 17 years ago.
VisitScotland, meanwhile, has confirmed that closure of the city’s visitor centre in High Street is set to go ahead next October as part of a Scotland-wide closure programme.
Colin Marr, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said 2024 had been a tough year for businesses with the UK budget’s harsh tax changes appearing to have slowed down growth and investment.
“Locally, the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, has continued to attract investment in green technology and looks likely to transform our region,” he said.
“But attracting staff and delivering skills training remains the number one issue for our businesses.
“In tourism, we saw a fall in visitor numbers and accommodation providers are struggling with increasing costs.
“The proposed ‘tourist tax’ is a worrying development. Highland Council and the Scottish Government have significant work to do to show that it can be introduced without harming one of our most valuable business sectors.”
The Victorian Market food hall. Picture: James Mackenzie.
He said the city’s Victorian Market food court had really taken off this year and said the opening of the Inverness Castle Experience would enhance what was on offer to visitors.
“There’s a lot that we should be critical of Highland Council about but the success of the Victorian Market project should be celebrated,” he said.
“I hope that next summer the castle joins that list of successful projects.”
Highland economist Tony Mackay said the forecasts for the Scottish and UK economies for the next few years showed only slow growth and he believed that would also be the case in the Highlands.
“The service sector accounts for about 70 per cent of economic output in the Highlands, manufacturing 15 per cent, construction 10 per cent and the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, forestry) five per cent,” he said.
“Services include public sector ones such as health and education, and private sector ones include retail, hospitality and tourism.
“There should be some growth in the public sector because of increased financial support from both the Scottish and UK governments.
“In contrast, I expect little growth in the private sector in 2025.
“People are currently cautious about spending their money. An example of that is the number of empty shops in Inverness and elsewhere in the Highlands. A factor in that has been a noticeable trend towards online shopping.”
Mr Mackay said the whisky industry was doing surprisingly well, with big increases in sales and the opening of new distilleries and expansions but the oil and gas industry continued to decline, partly because of the switch to renewable energies.
Highland economist Tony Mackay hopes there will be improvement in investment at the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Port.
“A lot of oil-related jobs have been lost at Nigg and elsewhere,” he said.
“Progress with the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Port has been disappointing to date, so I hope there will be a big improvement there during 2025.
“There should be more growth in the construction sector. There is a need for a big increase in housebuilding and some local businesses are contributing to that.
“However, public sector spending continues to be disappointing, as exemplified by the A9 and A96 sagas.”
What are your thoughts now we’re in 2025? Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk