Church Street is among the thoroughfares earmarked

The firm has been tasked with making streets more pedestrian friendly and installing new lighting and art pieces.

Highland Council said the work would take two years and focus on the "historic core" of the city.

Art works have been planned on Church Street, Lombard Street, Inglis Street and at the Victorian Market entrances.

Further phases have been earmarked for the future, including the transformation of Station Square into what the council called a key civic amenity space.

The first phase includes Church Street, Union Street, Queensgate, Baron Taylor's Street, Mealmarket and Grant's Closes.

More attractive

Additional funding has been sought to complete the programme and carry out improvements at Ness Walk, Station Square, Castle Wynd and the Raining Stairs.

Provost William Smith said the aim was to make the city centre more attractive and vibrant.

He said: "The city centre streetscape and traffic management programme are the top priorities of our city vision for Inverness."