Kingussie Courthouse is born again!
Welcome to Kingussie Courthouse, 2016.
After two years and as many millions of pounds, the Badenoch landmark is about to burst into life for “phase two”.
The B listed structure, for well over a century the most important building in the capital of Badenoch, had stood idle for more than a decade, rotting and awaiting its fate. But Highland Council decided there was life in the old place yet and now all the council staff - more than 30 of them anyway – are to relocate from their offices at either end of the town.
With the handover from contractors Morgan Sindall now complete, work is well under way to prepare for the move from the existing offices at Ruthven Road and 100 High Street to the new facility.
The offices at both Ruthven Road and 100 High Street will be closed on Friday, September 16 to allow for the moves to take place.
The new office will be open to customers on Monday, September 19.
The opening hours for the new office are 9.00 – 12.30 and 1.30 – 3.00.
Here’s a sneak preview of the place just before the furnishings went in.
As the older Strathy readers will see, some of the old features have been cleverly retained amid the state-of-the-art upgrades, such as the original wooden panelling and the historic door to the police cell, which now guards those who choose to use the modern loo on the ground floor. It’s still there complete with chain lock and sliding observation panel (but fear not, it doesn’t slide any more!).
To the rear of the building is the steel-clad staff annexe which comes complete with relaxing courtyard.
The old court room upstairs in the old building will house some 15 staff members who will be involved in accounts and council tax work.
Downstairs the police will have an operations room (but not a counter service) and there will be private consultation rooms and kitchen facilities.
At last Kingussie and its surrounding villages will have one central service point at their disposal.
