Holiday apartments suggested for Inverness Town House

Inverness Town House is a landmark building in the city's centre

One of Inverness' best-known buildings could be put to use as offices, self catering apartments and a TV/film location, according to a new report.

Highland Council commissioned property firm Savills to look at the long term future of Inverness Town House.

The local authority used the A-listed building as offices and for meetings before moving its staff out in 2023 in a bid to save money.

Savills has suggested a mix of uses, including converting parts of the town house for use as holiday accommodation and shops selling food and drinks.

Turning the property into a new city centre hotel was ruled out due to the "high" costs involved, according to the report.

The town house is used for small weddings but Savills suggested events, such as comedy nights, could generate additional income.

The specialists also recommended exploring the potential for the town house to be promoted for use in TV and film productions.

Councillors will consider the report at a meeting next week.

Built to a Flemish-Baronial style, the town house was opened in 1882 by Queen Victoria's second son, Alfred.

The building hosted a gathering of Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George's UK government cabinet in September 1921.

He was on holiday in Gairloch, Wester Ross, and brought his ministers - who included Winston Churchill - together in Inverness.

The meeting was called following Ireland's rejection of King George V.

Debate that day led to the drawing up of the Inverness Formula which guided later discussions on the treaty creating the Irish Free State.

The Irish Free State eventually became the Republic of Ireland in 1949.