Plans are being developed to carry out much needed restoration work to Dingwall Townhouse.

The historic Highland tower is part of the townhall complex and the proposed renovations will see the reinstatement of traditional lime harling to the building's tower.

The town clock will also be restored under the project.

The Highland Council is now in the process of applying for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent to undertake the extensive programme of renovations. Built in 1733, it is one of Dingwall’s oldest buildings, and despite it being re-modelled in 1906, the masonry of the tower is in very poor condition.

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However, the exact scale of the refurbishment is still unknown and won't be uncovered until builders’ tenders are returned and costs are confirmed in June.

The plans are part of the Dingwall Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), a project which focuses on the repair of traditional buildings and shop fronts on the town’s High Street, and is funded by Historic Scotland, the Highland LEADER 2007-2013 programme, Dingwall Common Good Fund and The Highland Council.

Chair, Luke Humberstone, speaking on behalf of the Dingwall CARS Stakeholder group said: "The Dingwall CARS project is delighted that the Townhouse tower will join the growing number of repair and restoration projects to benefit from Scotland’s excellent track record in the use of lime technology to repair and protect traditional masonry. It will be great to see the tower’s historic character highlighted by reinstating its original lime harling."

Building work is expected to start in July.

(JP/CD)