A project to restore the historic Dingwall Townhouse tower is to begin later this month, the Highland Council has said.

The building, which overlooks High Street in the town, is one of Dingwall's oldest surviving buildings and the refurbishment work will ensure the property remains a landmark for the area.

The 18th Century, B-Listed building, retains much of its historic character, but its masonry is in a very poor condition, while the venerable clock also needs repaired.

Some £197,000 has been set aside for the transformation work and has been made possible via funding by the Highland Council, the Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, Historic Scotland and Dingwall Common Good Fund.

Among the project works will be the reinstatement of traditional lime harling that originally protected the tower's rubble stonework, as well as the restoration of the town clock and its octagonal wooden enclosure. The existing grey weather vane will also be replaced with an eye-catching gold cockerel.

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The renovations form part of the Dingwall Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), a project focused on the repair of traditional buildings and shop fronts on Dingwall High Street that runs until 2016.

In a joint statement, all four of Dingwall and Seaforth Ward Councillors, who have been involved in the Townhouse project, said: "To get to this stage there has been a lot of work carried out including consultation with local businesses and the community so it is rewarding for everyone who has worked so hard to see work about to begin.

"People will be able to find out more about the work as the hoarding boards at the front of the building will have information and displays on them. The contractor will also be taking pupils from local schools on tours of the building site to see the craft skills involved in bringing an old building back to its prime."

Chair of the Dingwall CARS stakeholder group, Nigel Greenwood, added: "The tower is currently in a poor state of repair with badly eroded masonry so without this refurbishment its long-term future would certainly be of concern.

"We are therefore delighted that this work will ensure the important landmark can remain a focal point in the heart of the town for many years to come."

Fleming Masonry Contractors Ltd has been appointed to carry out the work, which has been given a scheduled completion date of the end of summer 2014.

(JP/IT)