Boss leading £18m revamp of iconic Highland castle: 'I think we’re going to surprise a few people'

DESIGNERS behind some of the UK’s most successful exhibitions – from television’s Downton Abbey to The National Football Museum in Manchester – will be charged with transforming Inverness Castle into a world-class visitor destination.

Highland Council yesterday announced the appointment of Cheshire-based Mather & Co as successful candidates to shape the £18 million revamp of the historic former jail and courthouse on the city centre’s prime hilltop site.

Funded by £15 million in Scottish Government cash and £3 million from the Inverness and Highland region city deal, the project is aimed at bringing the area a lasting economic boost by creating an iconic, gateway attraction to Highland tourism.

A “Spirit of the Highlands” theme will resonate, drawing on extensive research and stories relayed by Highland people in the last year and in coming months.

It will also seek to present a rich insight into the category A listed landmark’s origins and illuminate its historic significance.

According to the designers, the 180-year-old structure – already painstakingly stripped back to original interior form – will host a unique, interactive visitor experience, as well as themed catering and retail elements.

Mather & Co’s chief executive officer Chris Mather promised the three-year project, when completed, would delight tourists and locals alike.

“It’s going to be very exciting, innovative, different, and I think we’re going to surprise a few people,” he told the Courier.

The company, founded 28 years ago, first came to prominence when it dreamed up the Granada Television studio tour in Manchester, sparking a regeneration of the district around it which now thrives as a cultural quarter.

Other big project successes include the World Golf Museum at St Andrew’s; the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum; Downton Abbey: The Exhibition; The Royal Mint Experience; the National Football Museum; the Ultimate Lap at Silverstone; and the Olympic Museum in Switzerland.

“The tender put out really interesting concepts for us to explore,” Mr Mather said. “We put creative and financial proposals together, but added commercial elements to make it more sustainable. We’re excited to be part of the team.

“There are really deep and rich Highland stories to tell. We don’t want to repeat the same old formula. It will be something completely unique and original.

“As we’ve found in the past, you can take a redundant building, create something new and see all the retail and hospitality surrounding it begin to energise. It does have that ripple effect.”

Sarah Clarke, Mather & Co’s managing director, will focus on storylines and exhibition content.

“It’s down to us now to go and explore the region more, work with contacts such as the National Trust for Scotland, and bring it all to life,” she said.

“What’s great about this project is we can bring interpretation and story into every aspect. We’re looking at all possibilities and we want it to appeal as much to local residents as tourists.”

Fiona Hampton, director of Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands, said the project was currently within budget and time-frame, but the exact completion date would only be finalised once the main contractors were appointed on August 11.

“Appointing the designers is an exciting and critical landmark for the project,” she said. “It is the final piece of the jigsaw and we have a really good team behind us.

“They’re clear that whatever they have done in the past, this will be bespoke and unique to the Highlands.”

Plan to make castle 'world-class destination' takes giant leap forward

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