List of listed buildings in Dingwall facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Did you know that some buildings are so special they get protected by law? These are called listed buildings, and they are important parts of Scotland's history and culture. They are like treasures that tell us stories about the past.

This article will take you on a tour of some of these amazing listed buildings in the area of Dingwall in the Highland region of Scotland. Each one has its own unique story!

Historic Homes and Castles

Dingwall is home to some fascinating old buildings, from grand castles to unique follies.

The Castle and Roderick Maclennan Monument

At Castle Street, you can find the site of an old castle and a monument dedicated to Roderick Maclennan. This area reminds us of Dingwall's long history, going back to medieval times when castles were important for protection. The monument adds to the historical feel of the place.

A Georgian house near the old castle site.

Caisteal Gòrach

Near Tulloch Castle stands a very interesting building called Caisteal Gòrach. Its name means "Folly Castle" in Scottish Gaelic. A folly is a building made for decoration, often designed to look like an old ruin or a castle, but it wasn't built for defence. Caisteal Gòrach is a great example of this playful style of architecture. It's listed as Category A, meaning it's of national importance!

Caisteal Gòrach, also known as Folly Castle.

Tulloch Castle

Tulloch Castle is a grand building with a long history. It has been a family home for centuries and now serves as a hotel. You can even find an arched tunnel entrance there! Castles like Tulloch often have many stories hidden within their walls, from ancient battles to grand parties.

Tulloch Castle, a historic building now used as a hotel.

Dovecote

Also on Castle Street, there's a dovecote. A dovecote is a building specifically designed to house pigeons or doves. In the past, these birds were kept for their meat, eggs, and sometimes even for their droppings, which were used as fertilizer. This dovecote is a reminder of how people lived and farmed many years ago.

A historic dovecote on Castle Street.

Important Public Buildings

Many listed buildings in Dingwall are places where people gathered, learned, or received important services.

Dingwall Town Hall

The Dingwall Town Hall on High Street is a very important building for the town. Town halls are usually where local government meetings happen and where community events are held. This building has likely seen many important decisions and celebrations over the years.

The historic Dingwall Town Hall.

Dingwall Sheriff Court

The Sheriff Court on Ferry Road is a building where legal matters are handled. It also used to house a prison and a police station. These buildings are crucial for maintaining law and order in a community.

The Dingwall Sheriff Court building.

Ross Memorial Hospital

The Ross Memorial Hospital on Ferry Road is another significant listed building. Hospitals are vital for the health and well-being of a community. This building has served as a place of healing for many years.

The Ross Memorial Hospital.

Dingwall Railway Station

The Dingwall Railway Station on Station Road is a key part of the town's transport history. Railway stations were once bustling hubs, connecting towns and cities and allowing people and goods to travel across the country. The station includes its platform ranges and a staff shelter.

Dingwall Railway Station, an important transport hub.

Churches and Religious Sites

Churches are often among the oldest and most beautiful buildings in a town, reflecting its spiritual history.

St Clements Church

St Clements Church, also known as the Church of Scotland Parish Church, is located on Tulloch Street. This church is listed as Category A, meaning it's of national importance. It includes its gatepiers and burial ground, which often contain old gravestones that tell stories of past residents.

St Clements Church, a Category A listed building.

Free Church Of Scotland

The Free Church of Scotland on High Street is another important religious building in Dingwall. Churches like this have played a central role in the community, not just for worship but also for social gatherings and support.

The Free Church of Scotland in Dingwall.

Other Notable Buildings and Structures

Dingwall has many other interesting listed buildings, each with its own story.

Royal Bank Of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank

Both the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank (Park House) on High Street are listed buildings. Banks are important for the economy of a town, and these buildings show the architectural styles popular when they were built.

The Royal Bank of Scotland building.

Highland Theological College

What is now the Highland Theological College on High Street was once known as the Hydro Board. This building has changed its purpose over time, from an administrative office to a place of learning.

The Highland Theological College building.

Former Seaforth Sanatorium And Lodge

Located in Maryburgh, the Former Seaforth Sanatorium and Lodge is a listed building. Sanatoriums were special hospitals, often for people with long-term illnesses, built in places thought to have healthy air.

Seaforth House, formerly a sanatorium.

Hector Macdonald Memorial

On Mitchell Hill, you'll find the Hector Macdonald Memorial. Memorials are built to remember important people or events. This one honours Hector Macdonald, a famous Scottish soldier.

The Hector Macdonald Memorial Tower.

Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross on High Street is a historic market cross. In Scottish towns, a mercat cross was a symbol of a burgh's right to hold a market or fair. It was often a central meeting point for trade and public announcements.

The historic Mercat Cross in Dingwall.

Cromartie Memorial, Obelisk

On Tulloch Street, there is the Cromartie Memorial, which is an obelisk. An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top. These are often built to commemorate important figures or events.

The Cromartie Memorial Obelisk.

Warehouse, Former Ben Wyvis Distillery

On Station Road, you can find a warehouse that was once part of the Ben Wyvis Distillery. Distilleries are places where alcoholic drinks like whisky are made. This building is a reminder of Dingwall's industrial past.

A warehouse from the former Ben Wyvis Distillery.

Greenhill Street Park Garage

The Greenhill Street Park Garage, which was formerly Park Cottage, is also a listed building. This shows that even everyday buildings can be important enough to be protected for their history or architecture.

The building on Greenhill Street, formerly Park Cottage.

Images for kids

A Georgian house near the old castle site.
Caisteal Gòrach, also known as Folly Castle.
The Free Church of Scotland in Dingwall.
The Royal Bank of Scotland building.
Dingwall Railway Station, an important transport hub.
St Clements Church, a Category A listed building.
Seaforth House, formerly a sanatorium.
The Highland Theological College building.
A historic dovecote on Castle Street.
The Dingwall Sheriff Court building.
Tulloch Castle, a historic building now used as a hotel.
The building on Greenhill Street, formerly Park Cottage.
The Ross Memorial Hospital.
The historic Dingwall Town Hall.
The Hector Macdonald Memorial Tower.
The Caledonian Hotel.
The historic Mercat Cross in Dingwall.
The Retreat building.
A warehouse from the former Ben Wyvis Distillery.
The Cromartie Memorial Obelisk.

Key

The scheme for classifying buildings in Scotland is:

Category A: "buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic; or fine, little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type."
Category B: "buildings of regional or more than local importance; or major examples of some particular period, style or building type, which may have been altered."
Category C: "buildings of local importance; lesser examples of any period, style, or building type, as originally constructed or moderately altered; and simple traditional buildings which group well with other listed buildings."

In March 2016 there were 47,288 listed buildings in Scotland. Of these, 8% were Category A, and 50% were Category B, with the remaining 42% being Category C.