The Save Old High Inverness campaign has announced its success. 

A historic church in Inverness has been bought over by a charity following a community campaign. 

Save Old High Inverness have been successful in purchasing the oldest church in the city. 

Old High had been up for sale for offers of about £99,500, with a closing date set for last Friday, August 1. 

Members of the Save Old High Inverness campaign have now confirmed they were successful in their bid, and plan to turn the site into a community hub and heritage centre under the ownership of the charity.

The church was first put up for sale in 2022, with the site on which Old High sits linked to Christianity as early as 565. 

Writing on social media, the Save Old High Inverness campaign said: “This is only the first, crucial step that allows us to take on and re-purpose the building. Now the real work begins alongside ongoing fundraising — it's now that we will need helpers and funds more than ever!

“The Old High will continue to be a focus of national and civic pride, personal emotion and spiritual strength in Inverness. The Old High, as part of the historical grouping around Church Street, the graveyard and the river will be a major focus for visitors, complementing the attractions of the re-opened Castle. The building itself offers a potential auditorium and rehearsal space, a focus for local and Highland history and heritage e.g. family history, an active programme of archaeological and historic investigation, promotional and local Highland community displays and meeting spaces, a memorial sanctuary on potential pilgrimage trails between Iona and Portmahomack, and a programme of volunteering and training/apprenticeships.

“Allow us a moment to absorb the success of our campaign, and watch this space for announcements of the next steps as we move forward with confidence and determination that the Old High will be put to lasting good use for the community.”