Mott Macdonald will produce detailed designs around how the station’s frontage, forecourt and concourse will look when the £6 million redevelopment is complete in 2018.

Enhanced shopping options in the concourse, along with a more dominant frontage, improved environment on Academy Street and up-graded links to Falcon Square and the bus station will also be part of the work in the station, so often the first glimpse home and overseas visitors have of the Highland capital.

Later in 2017, an application for increased funding will also be made to the Inverness Townscape Heritage Fund, as part of the ongoing redevelopment work around the city centre.

ScotRail Alliance’s project lead, Peter O’Connell, said: “We look forward to working with Mott Macdonald and to seeing the designs for the redevelopment. Inverness is ready for a railway station that matches the dynamic and forward-looking development of the cityscape.

“Close collaboration with Highland Council and HITRANS and working with our immediate neighbours at the station, will deliver the best possible improvements to facilities and services in and around Inverness station.”

Kevin Haggarty, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with the Scotrail Alliance to create a modern transport facility that will benefit the local people and businesses, and the many tourists that visit the region. Our teams across Scotland will deliver the project, working with our global network of experts to achieve the best result possible.”

This work on the fabric and fittings in and around the station will coincide with the arrival of the HST fleet from late 2018 onwards, bringing enhanced journeys from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Perth to Inverness. Track improvements between Aberdeen – Inverness will also come into play, increasing commuter services on the line.

Cabinet secretary for rural economy and connectivity, Fergus Ewing, said: “I am delighted that the eagerly anticipated transformation of Inverness Station has moved one step closer with the announcement that the project has now entered its design phase.

“The project will deliver on one of ScotRail`s franchise commitments. Inverness Station has already benefited from almost £2m of funding from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Stations Fund which is delivering targeted investment in our existing and new railway stations, thereby improving access to the railway network for people and communities across the country.

“This funding forms part of our wider ‎£5 billion programme of transformative investment in our railway infrastructure and services over the five year period to 2019 to better connect our communities and support economic growth and jobs in Scotland. I look forward to seeing the new enhanced station taking its place as a fitting gateway to the Highlands for tourists and travellers in the years to come.”