Highland council takes up residence in new home

Highland Council has taken receipt of its new Fort William office from Elgin founded builder Robertson.

Work on their new office at The Charles Kennedy Building on Achintore Road has completed following a two year renovation and construction programme.

Throughout the project there was a focus on retaining the key features of the original 'Grade B' listed office building with main contractor Robertson able to salvage a sizeable quantity of the existing slate and reuse it as part of the wider renovation works.

These works took place alongside the construction of a new two storey extension named the 'Civic Hub' – which includes a service point, registry office, council chamber, committee rooms and general offices.

Frank Reid, managing director, Robertson Northern said: "Working closely with The Highland Council on the construction of their new office has been a positive and collaborative effort that has resulted in a high quality refurbishment.

"The first phase of the project was handed over to the council in November 2017 and this second handover signals the culmination of months of hard work. Staff at the council can now look forward to getting settled in their new working environment.

"Our relationship with the council is strong and we continue to work with them on projects that are positively impacting on the lives of local people, including the recently completed Portree Gaelic Primary School and Merkinch Primary and Family Centre in Inverness."

Prior to the office being constructed at Achintore Road, the property lay empty having been previously damaged by a fire. A key part of the construction programme was to restore the original building as well as extend it to house the full council employee base.

The new space will be a hub for the Highland Council's housing, finance, development & infrastructure and Chief Executive Services, and will become the new space for residents of the Highlands visiting the local authority.

Lochaber Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of The Highland Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee said: "Highland Council welcome the completion of the project with Robertson and the transformation to what was an eyesore to the entrance to Fort William. The restoration and extension to the building have been well received locally and now provide a civic presence for the council serving the public of Lochaber."