To complete the refurbishment of a former church to create a Gaelic Cultural centre : a gathering place that brings people together and celebrates our Gaelic language and culture.
Estimated Cost
£1,800,000
1.We seek to transform the community owned former East Church into a modern Gaelic Cultural Centre through refurbishment and modernisation.
a) Enable disabled access to the upper floor classrooms by installing a lift.
b) Improve usage and enable income generatiion through re-design and refurbishment of the kitchen.
c) Build a new floor to rear hall and church to improve insulation and reduce heat loss.
d) Transform the former church area into a flexible, multi-use venue with the creation of a new floor, removal of pews and addition of energy efficient underfloor heating.
e) Create a formal reception area
f) Revamp the access routes into the community hall to ensure an attractive welcoming entrance.
2. The Gaelic Cultural Centre is important to the community because;
a) It creates a focal point for Gaelic speakers, learners and all those with an interest in the language and culture to meet/ use/ learn and hear the language in a social setting.
b) It provides a place for young people who have gone through Gaelic medium education to meet and use the language in a natural out of school environment.
c) It creates a unique destination for visitors to come and learn about the Gaelic language as well as to experience all aspects of Highland culture.
d) It nurtures a sense of community and enables the building of friendships and well-being.
e) It provides training and employment opportunities for young Gaelic speakers.
f) It brings people of all ages together to overcome isolation and create connections among speakers and learners.
g) It repurposes a historic building giving it a new community use.
h) It creates the conditions to overcome barriers and strengthen the sense of inclusion .
The project aligns with the Inverness Place Plan under Prime destination and Living and Working.
Cultarlann Inbhir Nis is cited as a Strategic community led project helping to deliver the overall vision.
3. Positive Impact:
Cultarlann Inbhir Nis will have a major cultural, economic, educational and community impact on Inverness and the wider Highlands.
Once refurbished it will not just be a building but a strategic investment in the future of the language and culture.
Cultural - it will provide a dedicated venue for ceilidhs, exhibitions, story-telling and Highland arts to flourish
Language Growth- the meeting rooms for classes and community groups will create daily opportunities to use and learn Gaelic
Economic- cultural tourism, events and a cafe/shop will encourage footfall into this part of the city and support local business.
Tourism - an opportunity for international linkages to similar developments in Wales, Ireland , Nova Scotia and elsewhere.
Community cohesion - a shared space for all, fostering belonging and inter-generational connections.
Historic preservation - maintains a B-listed building for future generations while giving it a new cultural purpose- a place that brings community together and celebrates our culture.
4. Key milestones reached include:
a) carried out essential repairs to the external structure of the building, ensuring that it is wind and watertight.
b) improved insulation and created better access to crucial roof spaces thereby reducing future repair costs and securing the building for further development.
c) a design team is ready to commence work on installing a new toilet block which will enable up to 300 people to use the building thus improving income generation potential.
d) detailed design to RIBA stage 3 for the interior developed, costed and LBC consent gained.
e) awaiting a Building Warrant for the full refurbishment.
f) Around 2000 Gaelic speakers, learners and visitors since January 2026 - from Mexico,US, Ireland, Brittany, Catalonia, Spain, New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands and many other places.
Community Engagement - Business Plan created, one FTE Community Engagement Officer in post. A range of regular events taking place.
The plan is to make Gaelic visible, audible, accessible and usable in everyday life.
With a 12% rise in people with Gaelic skills in Inverness since 2011, the Cultarlann provides the phyisical space needed for growth to continue.
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