Alexander Ross House was the former Fort William Primary School. It was formally opened along with the adjacent former secondary school, which was renamed the Charles Kennedy Building.
The B-listed buildings were refurbished and brought back into use in a £1.3m project by The Highland Council with support from HIE and Historic Environment Scotland.
Alexander Ross House is also home to the Lochaber Area Archive and record store, both managed by High Life Highland, and has additional office space, a shared communal reception, meeting room, toilets and staff facilities.
The Charles Kennedy Building houses a range of Highland Council operations, including the new Service Point. It also provides the new hub for the Department of Work and Pensions / JobCentre Plus.
The buildings will be formally opened by Cllr Andrew Baxter, Highland Council’s Lochaber Area Chairman, with members of Charles Kennedy’s family in attendance and partner organisations who occupy the property.
Cllr Baxter said:
“It will be an honour and a privilege to formally declare both the Charles Kennedy Building and Alexander Ross House open. Together these redeveloped buildings now deliver a fantastic new site providing modern and accessible facilities serving the local Fort William and wider Lochaber community.”
Scott Dingwall, HIE’s head of regional development in Lochaber, said:
“This is a great new facility that benefits, not just the organisations based here, but the members of the public looking to access the services we provide. There are also wider benefits of having these impressive listed buildings brought back into productive use, and enhancing the appearance of the entrance to the town.”
Related Articles
Island resilience fund opens
HIE will manage the fund on behalf of Scottish Government
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean a’ sireadh Cathraiche ùr
Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air tòiseachadh a’ trusadh gus Cathraiche ùr fhastadh chun a’ Bhùird aig a’ bhuidheann leasachaidh Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).
Multi-million pound investment announced for Kishorn Port
A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland’s most strategically important ports.
Planning application for Inverness Campus
HIE’s application is for permission to establish infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, to create serviced plots for sale to developers.
Mallaig catering company to expand and create jobs
Bloom & Graze Ltd is developing half of the town’s railway station building to form its new premises.
HIREP unveils ten-year strategy for regional growth
There’s a focus on renewable energy and the need to maximise economic and community benefits while driving the transition to net zero.
New tenant welcomed to Inverness Campus
The move will help facilitate the company’s further growth. Its corporate and compliance team of ten will relocate to Aurora House, with the company’s operational base remaining in Beauly.
Next phase of small business units for Wick Business Park
Project will help support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness
HIE published latest business survey results
There were 1,013 responses received from enterprises across the Highlands and Islands region operating in a wide range of sectors.