Assets identified for new Fort William common good fund

Fort William currently does not have a common good fund

Councillors have been asked to approve a list of assets for Fort William's proposed common good fund.

Highland Council does not currently have a fund for the town.

The new register includes land given to the community as a gift by landowners.

Among the areas is The Parade, which has a putting green and a war memorial, and was a handover to the local community in 1914.

Also listed among the assets is a provosts' ceremonial chain.

The gold double chain has an oval pendant comprising a garland of thistles containing a banner surrounding a shield bearing an oak leaf and acorn design.

The pendant is engraved in the reverse – "Presented by Sir Henry and Lady Cameron-Ramsay-Fairfax-lucy 1930".

Highland Council held a 12-week public consultation on its register, and councillors will be asked to approve it at a meeting next week.

In Scotland, common good funds go back to the 15th Century and involve land, investments and property that under law exist for the benefit of residents of historic burghs.

Fort William's former burgh dates to 1612.

In the Highland Council area, millions of pounds in rent payments are collected from businesses located on common good land.

The money is used for projects that benefit communities.

Highland Council already administers 10 common good funds. They include funds for Nairn, Dornoch and Kingussie.

Invergordon's fund could be boosted by the planned sale of a piece of artwork called the Sir John Gordon bust.