Dingwall Town Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dingwall Town Hall
Dingwall Town Hall
Location	High Street, Dingwall
Built	1745
Architect	Mr Downie
Architectural style(s)	Neoclassical style
Listed Building – Category B
Official name: High Street, Town Hall
Designated	25 March 1971
Reference no.	LB24506
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The Dingwall Town Hall is an important old building located on the High Street in Dingwall, Highland, Scotland. This historic structure is now used as a museum. It is recognized as a Category B listed building, meaning it's a building of special interest and importance.

History of Dingwall Town Hall

Why Was the Town Hall Built?

Back in 1729, the leaders of Dingwall decided their town needed a special building. This building would be used for important town meetings and events. It would also be a place to hold people who had broken the law. The spot they chose was where a local citizen, Alexander Dingwall, lived. He was given another home in the town.

Building the Original Town Hall

The new building was designed by a person named Mr. Downie. It was built like a tolbooth, which was a type of town hall often used for courts and jails. A local builder, William MacNeill, constructed it using rubble masonry, which means stones were put together with mortar. The building was finished in 1745.

The original design had a main front with five sections facing the High Street. The middle section had steps leading up to an entrance on the first floor. Above this, there was a square stone part called "the steeple." The ground floor had doorways and windows, and the first floor also had many windows. Inside, the main rooms were on the first floor. The town council met in a room on the left, and the courtroom was on the right. The ground floor was used as a lock-up (a small jail). The steeple held a prison for people who owed money.

Changes and Additions Over Time

In 1773, the steeple was made taller with a wooden, eight-sided cupola (a small dome-like structure). This was built by Donald McNeil, following a design by John Boag. The clock for the cupola was a gift to the town. It came from Major-General John Scott, who used to be a member of parliament for Tain Burghs.

Later, in 1905, the building was updated by William Cumming Joass. New stepped gables (stair-shaped parts of the roof) were added to the sides. These parts were also moved forward. A central portico (a porch with columns) was added, supporting a flat roof part and a balcony.

Famous Visitors and Events

The town hall was a popular place for public events and performances. Even famous bands played there! The rock band, The Beatles, performed a concert on January 4, 1963. Interestingly, only 19 people attended that night. Most people in town went to see a local band, The Melotones, at the Strathpeffer Pavilion instead. Another well-known rock band, Slade, also played a concert at the venue on November 14, 1970.

The town hall was also used for important political events. For example, during the 1983 United Kingdom general election, Charles Kennedy was announced as the local member of parliament right there in the town hall. He later became the leader of the Liberal Democrats political party.

Becoming a Museum

The building continued to be the main office for the town's council. However, it stopped being the local government center in 1975. This happened when the larger Ross and Cromarty District Council was created.

After that, the Dingwall Town Hall became the home of the Dingwall Museum. The museum has many interesting things to see. It includes a recreated local smithy (a workshop where metal is shaped). There is also a special room dedicated to the life of Major-General Sir Hector MacDonald. He was a brave soldier who fought in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.

Images for kids

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  A plaque next to the entrance, noting The Beatles played here.