Public Engagement Begins over Site for Highland Gallery and Museum

Over the next eight weeks, the public is being given the chance to have their say on three central locations in Inverness, which have been identified as the site for a proposed new gallery and museum for the Highlands.

Two sites within the Northern Meeting Park have been identified, while other proposed locations are the Town House Car Park, Castle Street, and the Inverness College’s Midmills Building (formerly Inverness Royal Academy).

An information leaflet has been produced which sets out the vision for the project and details the opportunities and constraints of the three sites.   Plans are on view at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and the Eastgate Centre. They can also be viewed at the Inverness City Partnership web site: http://www.citypartnership.org.uk/Highland-Gallery-and-Museum-g.asp

The period of public engagement continues until 11 January. Views will be taken into account before The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee decide the venue.

The project has been developed by the Highland Gallery and Museum Steering Group, whose vision is “to create a building that will showcase the best of Scotland’s art, artefacts and specimens in the Highlands, and by doing so, be an exemplar in providing truly national access to Scotland’s collections”.

The Highland Gallery and Museum Steering Group is chaired by Professor Duncan Macmillan, former Dean of Art at Edinburgh University and curator of the Talbot Rice Gallery.  Members include:

Provost Bob Wynd, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, said: “The city of Inverness is now, more than ever, competing at an international level and as such should have all the modern cultural facilities expected. We ought to be able to showcase the best quality art and heritage collections in a landmark building that sets the standard for future development in our city region.”

Once a site was chosen, the next stage of public consultation would be to organise a design competition.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee, said: “A new gallery and museum for the Highlands is of great importance to the development of the full range of cultural facilities the local community and our visitors deserve for the 21st century.  It merits a significant building in a prominent location.”