Dingwall's Viking history trail moves a step closer
A LONG-awaited Viking trail around Dingwall could soon become a reality thanks to enterprising locals.
The Dingwall Community Development Company (DCDC) has used £2000 from the Gough Charitable Trust towards revamping the seating and paths at popular Ferry Point on the shores of the Cromarty Firth.
But, after holding its first AGM last week, the group now wants to go after larger projects through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The ultimate ambition is to renovate Dingwall Town Hall and ensure that it is brought into regular and sustained use by locals and visitors as a focal point of the town.
Before that, the DCDC directors and trustees, comprising Janet Bowen, Debbie Downie, Robin Lingard and Nigel Greenwood have been “sifting through the community’s suggestions for improvements to the town.”
Mrs Bowen said: “Dingwall is very fortunate to have a number of organisations which are dedicated to making the town an attractive and welcoming place.
“But we want to use our charitable status to unlock funding for capital projects which should make a significant difference in raising Dingwall’s profile and civic pride.”
The vision includes a heritage trail around the town, stopping off at around a dozen sites including the railway station, Dingwall Castle, the Macdonald Monument and others and using display panels to highlight the town's rich history, particularly as a Viking settlement.
In 2013 archaeologists and historians confirmed that the town’s Cromartie car park was the site of a former Viking parliament or meeting place – called a ‘Thingwall’.
On the trail plans Mrs Bowen said: “The big issue here, of course, is the future of the footbridge across the Dingwall canal, which has been out of use for some time now because of safety fears.
"The community council is very anxious to bring it back into use and we are looking at what role we might play in helping to bring it back into use.”
