THE level of debate over the future of Dingwall Town Hall happily appears to have progressed beyond the knee-jerk "hands off" response towards something potentially more fruitful.
We get accustomed to "use it or lose it" warnings in these challenging times but it appears to be generally accepted that just doesn't cut the mustard in the case of this landmark building.
It's fair to say that Ross-shire's county town is awash with meeting places, several of them more appealing than the town hall and most with basic access issues fully resolved.
Understandably there's a healthy degree of nostalgia for a facility that was built to serve the needs of a community a century ago but which many now believe has been left behind by the development of so many other modern venues in the area.
That's not to say that it should now simply be sold off to the highest bidder. There's an opportunity here for something altogether more visionary. There's a chance to inject some much-needed life into the High Street and offer people something they don't already have.
The likes of the Town House in Inverness, for example, is a magnet for visitors impressed by its grand entrance. Granted, a bit like the Highland capital's castle, there's not a lot for them to do after poking their heads round the door and taking a photograph – but that's not to say Dingwall couldn't be a little more ambitious.
An overhaul of the grand old lady wouldn't come cheap but could prove to be money very well spent.
