High Life Highland News

08 Jul 2024

Historic ‘Rose Window’ reassembly begins at Inverness Castle after extensive conservation

Historic ‘Rose Window’ reassembly begins at Inverness Castle after extensive conservation: Rose Window in frame

The iconic ‘Rose Window’, originally crafted in 1867 and a once prominent feature on Academy Street in Inverness, has been lovingly restored and is now being meticulously reassembled, within a custom-designed steel framework, where it will become a focal feature within the Inverness Castle Experience when it opens to the public next year.

The delicate process of reassembling the window began with carefully cataloguing and conserving each piece. Each stone must be perfectly aligned to recreate the frame for the window's intricate glass design, which demands technical skill and expertise. Local stonemasons have painstakingly cleaned and repaired the stone frame fragments, ensuring that each piece is ready to return to its original position.

Once the stonework is in place the next phase will be for the glass specialist to reassemble the stained-glass panels in situ, ready for the designers to bring the window to life.

Special thanks to the Inverness Common Good Fund, the Rotary Club of Inverness and other Rotary clubs across the Highlands for their financial support towards restoring the Rose Window.

Cllr Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness City and Area and Co-chair of the Inverness Castle Project Delivery Group, said: “The reassembly of the ‘Rose Window’ is not just a technical achievement; it's a celebration of our cultural heritage. This restoration allows us to honour the craftsmanship of the past while ensuring that this magnificent piece can be enjoyed by future generations."

David Haas, The Highland Council’s Senior Community Development Manager for Inverness and South said “The Inverness Castle Experience, set to open to the public next year, will offer visitors a unique opportunity to witness the Rose Window in all its restored glory. It is a very exciting time to see it being pieced back together and being so lovingly restored.

Colin Munro, President of the Rotary Club of Inverness, said, “Highland Rotarians were thrilled to be able to set aside a significant sum in the centenary year towards the restoration of the Rose Window and involved several other clubs across the Highlands. Seeing it all come together, piece by piece, in its new home is very exciting.”

The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

Watch a short video here, https://vimeo.com/974258212/966cabf6a8 

ENDS

Contact Information

Rachel Cunningham
 Marketing and Media Officer
Inverness Castle Experience
07711644130
rachel.cunningham@highlifehighland.com

Additional information for Editors:

  1. High Life Highland manages The Inverness Castle Experience on behalf of The Highland Council.
  2. The Scottish Government has invested £19.6 million in the castle’s transformation (£15 million via the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal and £4.6 million in tourism funding). The UK Government has contributed £7.5 million to the project through the Deal and Levelling Up funding.
  3. The Scottish Government, the UK Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International, Historic Environment Scotland, and NatureScot are among the project's partners.
  4. The new visitor experience will enhance the tourism offer in the area by creating a must-see visitor attraction that celebrates the spirit of the Highlands past, present, and future, including its creativity, well-being, culture, heritage, and natural environment.
  5. For more information: 

More information about High Life Highland

  • High Life Highland is a registered Scottish charity and company limited by guarantee. Set up in 2011 and an arm’s length external organisation (ALEO) wholly owned by The Highland Council it is the largest charity and third sector provider in the Highlands of Scotland.
  • High Life Highland operates 8 services: archives, community venues, sport and physical activity, countryside rangers, leisure facilities, libraries, music development and visitor attractions. These services attract many millions of local, national and international visitors every year across all services, both in person and virtual visits.
  • The charity’s Chief Executive is Steve Walsh. The charity board is chaired by Michael Golding. The trading board is chaired by Michael Boylan. The executive team includes: Director of Community, Leisure and Sport – James Martin; Director of Culture and Learning – John West; Director of Strategy and Performance – Douglas Wilby.
  • High Life Highland works with many partners (local, regional, and national) to deliver services and activities, making life better for the residents and communities of the Highlands (often to those individuals/families most in need).
  • In addition to the funding received from The Highland Council for the delivery of public services on behalf of the local authority, the majority of the charity’s earned income comes from customer/member income.

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