It is exactly 100 since the Highland capital hosted the first British Cabinet meeting to be held outside London – influenced heavily by PM Lloyd George's holiday in Gairloch
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
EXACTLY 100 years ago the first ever meeting of the British Cabinet outside London was held in the Highlands.
It was at 11am in the Town House Chamber on September 7 that the growing urgency in the troubled situation in Ireland led to the highly unusual gathering.
The reason for Inverness being chosen was that Prime Minister Lloyd George was on holiday at Gairloch and King George V was shooting at Moy.
Now the Highland Council and High Life Highland are acknowledging the centenary of the historic meeting.
When the Cabinet gathered, Council Officer William Bain, passed a sheet of paper round the 16 Cabinet members for their signatures and today a framed copy of the document is on display in the chamber while the original is in Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
Included in the list is the Rt. Hon Winston Churchill, who was then, the Secretary of State for Colonies.
Provost of Inverness and Area, Cllr Helen Carmichael said: “It is a century since the British Cabinet met in Inverness and crowds gathered outside the Town House for the occasion.
"Due to Covid-19 we are marking the historic occasion virtually through the magnificent Am Baile collection that is curated by High Life Highland.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The 1921 Cabinet meeting in Inverness was a historic moment and I'm delighted the centenary is being marked in this way. I'd urge everyone to see the fascinating virtual exhibition commemorating the occasion."
Included in the Am Baile collection are photographs of the members of the Cabinet inside the Town House Chamber; crowds gathered on Inverness High Street; Winston Churchill arriving at the Town House; the signatures of the Cabinet members gathered by Willian Bain, and Prime Minister, Lloyd George being greeted at the Town House by the then provost.
It was not until 87 years later that another Cabinet meeting was held in Inverness Town House. On August 5, 2008 the Scottish Government Cabinet met on in the same room.
Photographs of the Cabinet meeting in 1921 can be viewed at www.ambaile.org.uk by adding ‘British Cabinet Meeting’ to the search.
