Acclaimed Highland music venue Hootananny set to reopen later this summer with new look
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A popular live music venue in the Highlands is hoping to reopen later this summer with a new look.
Hootananny in Church Street in Inverness is currently undergoing renovations which include the creation of a mezzanine in the main downstairs area.
Although no reopening date has yet been set, owner Kit Fraser says the work should be completed in the next few weeks.
The new mezzanine will create further seating for diners and provide a grandstand view for those watching live music.
"It will be like public theatre," Mr Fraser said .
"The mezzanine overlooks the stage – it will be like playing to people up in the ‘gods’.
"It will be a cauldron of entertainment."
Operating on three floors, the pub has proven popular with locals and tourists drawn to traditional Scottish folk music and a weekly ceilidh.
It has also hosted an eclectic range of live bands and comedy acts but after the coronavirus pandemic struck, it faced crippling costs, with no guarantee of an imminent return to sustainable income.
Along with another city venue, Gellions Bar, it launched a crowdfunder in a bid to survive
The £3500 raised by supporters enabled the venue to secure vital government funding to stay afloat.
