Campaigners seek community support to save historic Old High Church in Highland capital which has links with Battle of Culloden, Highland regiments and Outlander TV drama series
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A campaign has been launched to rally public support to save a historic Inverness building for use by the community.
The A-listed Old High Church was put on the market last month after hosting its final service earlier this year, after it was judged to be no longer financially viable to operate.
The building – which has important links with the Battle of Culloden, Highland regiments and the globally popular historic drama series Outlander – is being advertised by the Church of Scotland for offers over £150,000.
Old High 'a portal into a Great Story'
The Friends of the Old High campaign group is now carrying out a public consultation, setting out its vision to save it and develop it as an affordable not-for-profit venue for the community to enjoy.
The group’s secretary Jean Slater, who fears it could have “its heart torn out” as part of a commercial venture, said the aim was to gauge public interest and form a steering group to take the campaign forward.
The Friends are also inviting ideas from the public as to how the building could be used – one suggestion includes opening the building daily for tours showcasing its historic past.
“We want to make sure we are involving the community,” Miss Slater said.
The building stands on St Michael’s Mound where St Columba reputedly converted the Pictish King Brude to Christianity in 565.
It was built between 1770 and 1772 but the lowest part of the west tower dates back to the 14th century.
It was requisitioned by government forces to house Jacobite prisoners captured at the Battle of Culloden and those condemned to death were shot in the churchyard. It also served as the regimental kirk of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders from the late 19th century.
“It has such potential,” Miss Slater said. “We cannot lose such a historic building. Far too many buildings are being ripped down and torn apart.
“The community has to rally around and use it.
“My worry is it could be turned into a business venture for someone who has no respect for the building, although they will have to work within the constraints of a listed building inside and out.
“Would a business do it sympathetically?
“I have seen so many times in other places, where the heart has been torn out of buildings to make them financially viable.”
The group has written to community councils and politicians including councillors and has also sought advice and information from organisations such as Historic Churches Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Scottish Land Fund.
But it is appealing to anyone, including local business people, to get involved.
“There must be people who feel as passionately as we do about the building,” Miss Slater said.
Writer Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, has already indicated her views on social media after the Old High Church was put up for sale.
“It would be a great pity, if such an important part of Inverness/Highland history were to be destroyed,” said Ms Gabaldon who is visiting Inverness this weekend.
“Perhaps the city of Inverness could team with the National Trust for Scotland and find some way of making the site useful without turning it into purely commercial property?”
Tears as last regular service takes place
A Church of Scotland spokesman said the building is still for sale and a closing date has not been set.
Anyone who wants to get involved in the campaign should email oldhighfriends@gmail.com.
