First provost’s robes to go on display

RESIDENTS of an Easter Ross port will be given the opportunity to take a stroll down memory lane when a nostalgic exhibition is unveiled.

At the heart of the new showcase at Invergordon Museum will be the first ever robes worn by a provost under the old town council set-up.

There will be a real local flavour to the museum’s forthcoming exhibition, according to one of the volunteers who keeps it running, Martin Rattray, also one of four Cromarty Firth ward councillors.

He said, "We currently have around 20 photographs of past local dignitaries on display along with other pieces relating to the town council. The museum volunteers have for a long time been keen to create a display on Invergordon and hope to have it ready for the summer season.

"The museum, which opened in 2004, has a volunteer force of over 40 doing everything from cataloguing exhibits to welcoming the many cruise ship passengers who visit during the cruise line season. This year is set to be another bumper year with more passengers and crew arriving at Invergordon."

The first provost who wore robes was John Macdonald, Justice of the Peace.

He was the town provost from 1901 until 1919.

The last provost to wear them was Ian Mckean, who was provost from 1972 until 1975.

The robes will be the focal point of a display on Old Invergordon and the town council.

Work is currently under way on a display on the Polish contribution in Ross-shire and hopes are high that the Polish consul will be able to attend for its opening in April.