PICTURES: Dingwall heritage trail brings rich history of county town to life with generous support of local businesses
A HERITAGE trail bringing the rich history of Ross-shire's county town to life has become the latest attraction for visitors.
The Dingwall Heritage Trail was officially opened by Ross-shire Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford who was introduced by her predecessor in the role, Janet Bowen of Dingwall Community Development Company (DCDC).
The trail – set to be further extended – includes eight information panels encapsulating 1200 years of history taking in everything from Vikings to controversial war hero, Sir Hector Macdonald.
Mrs Whiteford, who joined around 40 people on a walk around the new trail, said: "It really brings Dingwall’s story alive."
A guided tour by local historian and community activist Jonathan McColl, who compiled the texts for the panels and the accompanying website, heard of the significance of the Norse—from whom the burgh’s name came—as well as the centuries of rule by the Earls of Ross, the involvement of the major clans of Mackenzie and Munro, and the shaping of the built heritage by sea-captains and coppersmiths and many more.
Mrs Bowen said: "These eight panels along the Town Trail, telling local people and visitors about some of the great heritage we have in Dingwall, mark the first project of the DCDC to be seen by the public.We have had huge support and involvement from businesses and other organisations across the community, raising over £15,000 to finance the design and manufacture of the panels."
The welcome sign was unveiled to the sound of pipe music played by Elana Duff and Dan MacKinnon outside Youth Highland (the Old Post Office).
The tour, including the Town House, St Clements, the canal and the castle, finished where it started and was celebrated with tea and coffee in the National Hotel.
Mrs Bowen paid tribute to local graphic designer Eddie Garden, who designed all the panels, his colleague Gary Miller, who created the Trail’s Viking mascot, Vidar, and to Dingwall Museum and Dingwall History Society for providing the historical material from which local historian and guide Jonathan McColl compiled the texts.
She said: “In due course we plan to extend the Trail with several more panels along the canal to the Ferry Park and back to the railway station.
“We believe the Trail will be a boon to the town, celebrating its long history as a matter of pride for local people and giving visitors a good reason to stay longer and enjoy all that Dingwall has to offer.”
Janet Bowen said: "Personally I am so excited because Dingwall is so rich in history I want everyone to know all about it and be proud of our county town."
She said: "We could not have created the heritage trail without the help and support of many local companies, organisations and individuals whose generous sponsorship enabled us to raise over £15,000 to fund the design and supply of the information panels marking the historic sites along the trail."
She added: "You will find their sponsorship acknowledged on each of the panels but I would like to draw your attention to the many town centre companies and traders whose contributions funded this Welcome sign whose names you will read on it."
She said Mr McColl had "spent many hours researching and drawing material together, and amazingly condensing it so well into the texts you will read on the panels and backed it up with a great deal more information for you to see on our website".
