Inverness Castle £30m revamp draws on Ross-shire talent for script work

AN acclaimed Easter Ross-based writer and theatre company director has been tasked with ensuring the “authenticity and authority” of scripted material in a trailblazing Highland visitor experience.

Highland theatre company Dogstar has been commissioned, by Workhaus, the fit-out contractor for the Inverness Castle Experience, to create all the scripted material and interpretative signage in and around the attraction.

Artistic director, Matthew Zajac, and producer Jess Lusk, are heading up the team from Dogstar Theatre Company.

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Matthew wrote and starred in the one-man show, The Tailor of Inverness, which has had much success locally and internationally.

His adaptation of James Robertson’s novel The Testament of Gideon Mack will open in Eden Court in February 2025.

Matthew grew up in Inverness and is now based in Evanton.

Before moving to the Highlands, Jess worked at Shakespeare’s Globe in London for over a decade as their new work producer and, latterly, literary manager.

She now lives in Dornoch with her family.

Dogstar has assembled a team of Highland writers, playwrights and field experts to ensure that everything the public hears and reads within the new attraction is written with authenticity and authority by people who know and understand the Highlands.

One of these writers is Calum L MacLeòid, writer and journalist, who will oversee the Gaelic translation and writing.

Calum’s second novel Fon Choill won the prize for Best Fiction Book at the 2021 Gaelic Literature Awards.

His first poetry collection Bhon Phlateau dhan a' Chladach was published by Bradan Press. Theatre Gu Leòr produced his play Stornoway, Quebec which toured Scotland in 2023.

Calum is based in Dingwall.

Jim Ibbetson, company director of Workhaus, said: “We wanted to have Highland writers commissioned to create content, using the stories, gathered from across the Highlands, to inspire the content for the Inverness Castle Experience.

“This collaboration with Dogstar promises to give the attraction an authentic voice and rich narratives of the region.“

Matthew Zajac, artistic director, Dogstar Theatre Company, added: “When Dogstar Theatre Company were first approached about this project, we knew that it wasn't something we could do alone.

“It was clear from the outset that collaboration was key. The Highlands are full of creative and academic talent, and we are determined to embrace the diverse expertise available in the region. The Inverness Castle Experience's concept of The Spirit of the Highlands is the basis behind the writing.”

The Inverness Castle Experience project, which will open in 2025, will benefit from £30m in investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other partners.

The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

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