Historic Easter Ross building is set for a new chapter as Saltburn Community Hall converted
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A HISTORIC Easter Ross building that has played a part in many lives down the generations is to begin a new chapter as a family home.
And the public are to get a chance at an open day next weekend to take a look at what’s been done to the old Saltburn Community Hall, which dates back to 1859 and was a village school until the 1960s.
The building, opened in 1978 by the late Councillor Isobel Rhind as a community centre, was taken on by the Invergordon Off the Wall (IOTW) group in 2011 when Highland Council declared it surplus to requirements.
Although many people have fond memories of playgroups and leisure activities ranging from exercise classes to dog training, a drop in user numbers and stiff competition from 11 other public venues in the town saw it put on the market seven years later.
After dues were paid to Highland Council, some of the remaining funds were channelled in to restoration of the town’s famous murals, championed by IOTW, with the remainder set aside for other community projects.
Joan Mackay, who is behind the refurbishment, is staging an open day on Saturday, July 11 from 9.15am to 5pm. She has advertised it locally on Facebook and put up a list with 15-minute time slots fixed to the door for people to make appointments.
Marion Rhind of IOTW said many have fond memories of time spent there. She said: “Joan has not flinched from the restoration. The whole roof was replaced with new trusses and the back of the hall has received a sympathetic wood cladding."
She said her daughters had attended Rainbow groups there and had very fond memories of the place.
“It’s great to think the building will last another 100 years and in the interim we look forward to some nice new neighbours.”
