Groundwork to begin on Inverness Justice Centre

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) is vacating the castle complex for the new £23 million facility, a move welcomed by city leaders who hope the castle will become a full-blown tourist attraction as the public currently have minimal access.

As well as housing six courtrooms, the new V-shaped complex will include support for victims and witnesses of sexual violence, domestic abuse and child abuse and will mean the return of the High Court to Inverness for the first time since 2013.

A spokesman for the SCTS said: “The enabling works package is due to commence and we’re on progress to start construction in autumn with completion in summer, 2019.”

However, it has also emerged that victims and witnesses in Skye and Lochaber will have to make round trips of up to eight hours as trials will be conducted in Inverness.