New heritage trail plan taking shape in Dingwall
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Dingwall'’s community development company is hoping to unlock funding to raise the town’s historic profile and build civic pride.
Board member and secretary Robin Lingard said heritage trails could be the first big idea of the community company to come to fruition since it was launched in 2017.
“At that time we felt that something needed to happen with Dingwall, there was great community initiatives but no organisation was pulling them all together, and that is where we came in,” he said of its beginnings.
“We held a community consultation and had a meeting in the town here and we had 200 responses from the community.
“We now have 50 members.
“An application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £30,000 to provide 12 interpretation boards in the town, with an associated website that explores the history of the area.”
While the boards will be written in English, there are plans for Gaelic interpretation and additional historical details to be made available via a new website.
“There is so much history in the area, from the Vikings and Picts to the present day,” Mr Lingard said.
“We want to make sure it is available for both residents and visitors to the area, for them to enjoy.
“The boards will be a heritage trail that will take people around the town starting at the Old Post Office and ending in Castle Street, and a longer walk that will take in the wider area.
“We want to raise awareness of the town’s rich history, and back it up with a specific website for people near and far to enjoy.
“We hope to work with local schools and other community groups in the completion of the boards and the heritage trail.
“It is a very exciting development and we hope it fosters an interest in the importance of the area and its culture and history.”
Under the plans seven interpretation boards in all will form a planned Town Trail which will take around half an hour to complete.
Locations taken in on the way will include the town house and tollbooth, the Macdonald Monument, the Norse Assembly Field, St Clement’s Church with its Pictish stone and highly decorated aisle, Dingwall’s schools, Peter’s Bridge and Dingwall Castle.
A second Country Trail will last around an hour.
It will take in the estuary and harbour area, Ross Memorial Hospital, the town’s military heritage, Ross County Football Club and elements of Dingwall’s railway past.
