Boss leading the £18m revamp of Inverness castle: 'I think we’re going to surprise a few people'
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The designers behind some of the UK’s most successful exhibitions – from TV’s Downton Abbey to The National Football Museum in Manchester – will be charged with transforming Inverness Castle into a world-class visitor destination.
Highland Council yesterday announced the appointment of Cheshire-based Mather & Co as the successful candidates to shape the £18 million revamp of the historic former jail and courthouse on the hilltop site.
Funded by £15 million in Scottish Government cash and £3 million from the Inverness and Highland region city deal, the project is aimed at bringing the area a lasting economic boost.
According to the designers, the 180-year-old structure – already painstakingly stripped back to original interior form – will host a unique visitor experience, as well as themed catering and retail elements.
Chris Mather, Mather & Co’s chief executive officer, promised the three-year project, when complete, would delight tourists and locals alike.
He said: "It’s going to be very exciting, innovative, different, and I think we’re going to surprise a few people."
The company, founded 28 years ago, first came to prominence when it dreamed up the Granada Television studio tour in Manchester.
Other successes have includee the World Golf Museum at St Andrew’s; the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum; Downton Abbey: The Exhibition; The Royal Mint Experience; the National Football Museum; the Ultimate Lap at Silverstone; and the Olympic Museum in Switzerland.
Mr Mather said: "There are really deep and rich Highland stories to tell. We don’t want to repeat the same old formula. It will be something completely unique and original.
"As we’ve found in the past, you can take a redundant building, create something new and see all the retail and hospitality surrounding it begin to energise.
"It does have that ripple effect."
Sarah Clarke, Mather & Co’s managing director, will focus on the exhibition's content.
She said: "It’s down to us now to go and explore the region more, work with contacts such as the National Trust for Scotland, and bring it all to life
"We want it to appeal as much to local residents as tourists."
