Plan to transform Inverness Castle into 'world-class visitor destination' takes leap forward with appointment of Mather & Co, firm behind Silverstone, Downton Abbey and World of Golf museum experiences
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THE team appointed to transform an iconic Highland landmark into a "world-class visitor attraction" has been revealed.
Highland Council announced the appointment of Mather & Co as exhibition designers for the project to transform Inverness Castle.
Mather & Co is behind a number of successful exhibitions, visitor attractions, tours and museums such as Downton Abbey: The Exhibition; The Ultimate Lap at the Silverstone Experience; The Royal Mint Experience and The R&A World of Golf Museum in St Andrews.
The tender invited the successful company to develop and explore this theme in imaginative and unexpected ways, encouraging people to visit other locations around the Highlands
The council said the firm would bring "creativity, experience and innovation" to the transformation and the development of the Spirit of the Highlands project. Their approach will consider the whole experience of the visitor, including what people see and interact with before, during and after their visit "to make sure that everyone who visits the castle has an incredible time and can’t wait to return".
Celebrating and interpreting the Spirit of the Highlands in 100 stories will be the core theme of the visitor experience. The tender invited the successful company to develop and explore this theme in imaginative and unexpected ways, encouraging people to visit other locations around the Highlands.
Fergus Ewing MSP, co-chair of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, said: “The appointment of Mather & Co as exhibition designers for the project is an important step in the transformation of Inverness Castle. Their wide experience across a varied range of visitor attractions throughout the world will be a welcome contribution to the development of the castle as a gateway for tourism in the Highlands, as well as a place that locals and visitors will be keen to visit again and again."
Chris Mather, chief executive officer of Mather & Co, said: “We are excited to be a part of the project team and get started by creating a first class and compelling destination attraction – showcasing the rich heritage of the Highlands and Islands and the castle itself.”
High Life Highland is the managing agent for Highland Council in the project.
The transformation is supported by £15 million Scottish Government and £3 million UK Government investment through the Inverness and Highland city region deal. It aims to create a gateway for Highland tourism, contributing to re-invigoration of tourism across the area and providing investment for the industry to aid the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The council says the project will support economic growth throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and “must-see” attraction that will celebrate the spirit of the region.
The Inverness and Highland City Region deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
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