ICHT Business Plan
Our Strategic Vision 2026 – 2031
Our Business Plan outlines the Inverness City Heritage Trust’s ambitions for the years ahead. Building on our work over the last two decades, it defines the role we will play in conserving historic buildings, supporting communities, and addressing the challenges of climate change and economic resilience in the heritage sector. Our work is guided by local needs and aligned with national strategies including Historic Environment Scotland’s Corporate Plan and Scotland’s Historic Environment Policy.
As a charitable organisation, our business plan ensures that our work remains accountable, transparent and responsive to the evolving needs of the city. It allows us to:
- Set clear priorities
- Coordinate effectively with local and national partners
- Measure and report our impact
- Adapt to changing economic, social and environmental conditions
ICHT Business Plan Summary
We exist to promote the conservation and enhancement of the historic built environment of Inverness. This includes direct investment through grants, collaboration with stakeholders, community outreach, and advocacy for the value of heritage in shaping the city’s identity and future.
Strategic Objectives 2026–2031
Awareness and Learning
Increase understanding of the value of historic places through education, interpretation, and public engagement.
Place and Community
Encourage heritage-led regeneration that empowers communities, improves quality of life, and fosters civic pride.
Resilience and Maintenance
Promote sustainable maintenance and climate-adaptive repair strategies to secure the long-term future of historic assets.
Climate Action
Reduce carbon impacts by supporting the retention and reuse of existing buildings,
traditional materials, and local skills.
Traditional Skills
Help grow a sustainable network of skilled craftspeople and support capacity building in the conservation sector.
Economic Opportunity
Demonstrate the value of investment in heritage as a tool for economic development, tourism, and placemaking.
Priority Project Areas
Our work will prioritise activity in three geographic zones:
- Academy Street Corridor – including buildings at risk, key street frontages, and long-term regeneration prospects.
- Riverside Conservation Area – with a focus on domestic-scale properties and streetscape cohesion.
- Crown Area – supporting sensitive repairs to maintain the area’s character and reduce future vulnerability.
Our Delivery Framework
To meet our strategic aims, we will deliver:
- Targeted grant programmes with clear eligibility and conservation standards.
- Strategic partnerships with agencies, community bodies and professionals.
- Outreach and training initiatives aligned with national skills needs.
- Ongoing review, monitoring and evaluation to improve practice.
Guiding Principles
Conservation First
We prioritise solutions that respect the character and historic significance of buildings.
Accessible and Inclusive
Our services and funding are open and transparent, and we aim to support a diverse range of applicants.
Evidence-Led
We make decisions based on high-quality research, survey data and established conservation best practice.
Making the Plan Work
We report annually on progress against our business plan through a combination of impact assessments, financial reporting and community feedback. The plan will be reviewed at midpoint to remain responsive to city developments, funding environments, and emerging risks.
Partnerships and Alignment
Our work is carried out in alignment with key strategic documents and partners:
- Historic Environment Scotland
- The Highland Council’s Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan
- Scotland’s Historic Environment Policy
- National Strategy for the Built Environment
We also work with community trusts, architects, engineers, surveyors, local heritage organisations, training bodies and funders to amplify our impact.
How You Can Engage
We welcome feedback, collaboration and support from:
- Building owners with conservation projects
- Professionals working in heritage, planning or placemaking
- Educators and training providers
- Community development organisations
If you have a project, proposal or partnership idea that aligns with our strategy, we would love to hear from you.