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A ruined medieval church in Thurso looks set to retain its conservation area protection.<\/p>\n
Highland Council plans to revise the boundaries of the area, designed to help preserve historically and architecturally important properties. <\/p>\n
The local authority had proposed removing the designation from the oldest part of Thurso – including Old St Peter’s Kirk – because so few structures of historic significance survive.<\/p>\n
Councillors at a meeting on Monday agreed to go ahead with the proposals, but have recommended retaining the protection for the church.<\/p>\n
The plans will be discussed again at a meeting of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee in November.<\/p>\n
Parts of Old St Peter’s Kirk date back to the 12th Century and it is the earliest Christian building in Thurso.<\/p>\n
It also has protection as a scheduled monument.<\/p>\n
Another historic building in the oldest part of the town is The Turnpike, a two-storey property built in 1686 and believed to have started out as the home of a merchant.<\/p>\n
Painter LS Lowry – famed for his matchstick figure art of industrial landscapes – made sketches of The Turnpike in the 1930s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n