New model railway for Inverness' historic market

Highland Council is working with a number of organisations on the project

A new model railway is to be installed in Inverness' historic Victorian Market.

For many years a scale-model locomotive and carriages travelled in a big loop along a track in the rafters of the 155-year-old shopping arcade.

The train was removed during a revamp of the market and creation of a new food hall, which opened in 2022.

Highland Council, which manages the site, said about 110m (361ft) of new track would be put in place and multiple trains would run on it at the same time.

The local authority is working with a number organisations and firms on the project.

The railway will have a backdrop showing Highland scenes.

Project manager Robert McCubbin said: "The approach we took to designing the railway was the same as any other architectural or engineering project - just miniature in scale - but still requiring a great level of detailed, precision, care and attention."

Inverness and District Model Railway Club will maintain the railway once it is up and running.

Chairman Graeme Swanson said: "It has been an absolute pleasure for the club to work on the planning for the installation of the Victorian Market model railway."