Cost of new Highland prison rises again to £209m

An artist's impression of HMP Highland

The cost of building a new prison for the Highlands and Islands is expected to be four times more than originally estimated.

The Scottish government said it has given the final go-ahead for the construction of HMP Highland in Inverness at a cost of £209m.

The initial cost of about £52m more than 10 years ago later rose to £92m and then to almost £140m in 2022.

The new prison on a site near Inverness Campus is expected to be completed in 2026 - six years later than originally planned.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance had warned in February the cost of the facility was expected to increase.

The prison will replace Inverness Prison, which is more than 120 years old, and have capacity for 200 prisoners.

The Scottish government has signed a contract with civil engineers Balfour Beatty to build HMP Highland.