The regeneration of Inverness Castle and the development of a Northern Innovation Hub are among the projects to have submitted business cases as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.

The £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal contains commitments to major infrastructure delivery including the Inshes to Smithton Link Road, grade separation of the Longman Interchange and West Link road improvements.

It is anticipated that the City-Region Deal will unlock a further £800m of private investment in the Highlands over the next 20 years.

Business cases for five projects totalling a value of around £48m are now being prepared for consideration by UK and Scottish Governments.

The five projects include regeneration of Inverness Castle as a major visitor attraction; a Northern Innovation Hub which will provide support for a young economic generation; Land Remediation to bring the landfill site at the Longman into commercial use; a new University of the Highlands and Islands School of Health, Social Care and Life Sciences; and Science Skills Academy Hubs in five locations.

If approved, the money will be drawn down so that work can start on progressing the projects.

The Highland Council leads the City-Region Deal Programme and a number of projects along with partners the University of the Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, High Life Highland, Transport Scotland, HITRANS and Albyn Housing who all lead on specific projects within the Deal.

Leader of the Highland Council, Margaret Davidson, said: “The City-Region Deal will bring enormous benefits and opportunities to the Highlands over the next 20 years, through financial investment, collaborative working and strategic thinking. These individual projects will make a significant contribution to strengthening our economy and positioning the Highlands as a vibrant, forward thinking and digitally connected region which attracts inward investment and new business.”