The Kirkmichael Trust is inviting tenders from contractors for a major new Black Isle heritage project.

The brief is to help repair the ancient buildings and establish a heritage display at Kirkmichael (between Balblair and Jemimaville).

The successful contractor will recruit all the separate crafts required within an historic build of this kind.

An on-site day for interested contractors is planned for February 11.

Project architect Chris Bowes of McGregor Bowes in Edinburgh believes that this unusual and prestigious repair and construction project will be of great interest to all contractors with experience in bringing old buildings back to life.

He said: “We’re right down to the roots of the building – the frame – so a lot of it is new construction using salvaged material from the site, or where that isn’t possible, traditional locally-sourced materials.”

The project will include sensitive archaeology to complement the repair works, and the team will be ensuring that the project will involve the opportunity to develop skills in conservation and traditional building techniques.

The project will also offer opportunities for involvement to the public and local schools. Tore Primary School has got in first, with an architecture-based visit already planned for March. There will also be practical craft workshops available covering some of the stoneworking (including using quicklime), woodworking and metalworking skills which will be part of the project.

Anyone who would like to take part in these is invited to get in touch with Project Development Manager Verity Walker on 077789 22407, verity@interpretaction.com (heading your email ‘Kirkmichael activities’) or via the project’s Facebook page.

Major partners include the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Highland Council and the Robertson Trust, but the project could not have succeeded without contributions from many other local and world-wide benefactors. Work is due to start in the spring.

The contract can be viewed on the Public Contracts Scotland website under the contract code JAN232549. Tenders need to be submitted before February 19.