The organisation, which served property buyers and sellers across the Highlands, moved from its Queensgate offices in Inverness to a fully digital operation last year, describing the change as “an exciting step forward”.

However, its website was recently deactivated, while its telephone number and email addresses stopped working. Inverness BID told The Inverness Courier that HSPC was “no longer active in the area” before the board of directors confirmed its closure.

In a statement, the board said: “Since 1986 the Highland Solicitors Property Centre has been proud to serve solicitors and house-sellers throughout the Scottish Highlands. However, over the last few years the number of solicitor firms local to the Highlands has greatly reduced, to the extent that the centre was no longer financially viable.

“Therefore, with the deepest regret, it was decided to close the centre with effect from the end of September. The centre thanks its loyal customers for their support over the past 40 years.”

The board also urged homeowners to use Highland-based solicitor estate agents, saying: “Finally, please remember that only Highland solicitor estate agents can truly offer a complete house selling service of advertising and conveyancing ‘under one roof’, and in doing so supporting local jobs and the local economy, unlike some estate agents who will offer this service but then refer customers to solicitors outwith the Highlands.”