A recent public exhibition has backed plans to create a new visitor centre at Inverness Castle.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), which occupies the building, has announced plans to leave the castle for a new purpose-built justice centre.

In response, a public consultation was held to propose ideas for the attraction.

With more than 200 responses, the discussion found the large majority of participants:

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• Support the creation of a museum and a gallery at the castle site.

• Want to see a free attraction.

• Do not support turning the castle into a hotel or other tourist accommodation.

A development group will now be set up with a view of the attraction opening in the early 2020s.

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: "We want to see a new life for the castle that builds on its existing attraction, offering visitors and locals alike a quality offering that encourages tourists to both visit and stay longer in the city."

Freda Newton, MD of tourism operator Loch Ness by Jacobite, added: "The redevelopment of Inverness Castle is an exciting opportunity for tourism in the Highlands.

"Opening up the site in this way would help to strengthen the city's tourism offering and act as an additional asset to the Highlands as a tourism destination."

(LM)