08 Jul 2024
Historic ‘Rose Window’ reassembly begins at Inverness Castle after extensive conservation
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
Alison Bell
Marketing Officer
Inverness Castle & Events
07500 127214
alison.bell@highlifehighland.com
Additional information for Editors:
- The transformation of Inverness Castle is a Highland Council project, managed by High Life Highland on behalf of The Highland Council. The Scottish Government, UK Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International, Historic Environment Scotland, and NatureScot are among partners of the project.
- The new visitor attraction will add to 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.
- All timings for the project are subject to change.
- For more information visit www.invernesscastle.scot
More information about High Life Highland
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- Twitter @HLHSocial (CEO and Executive Directors – personal handles outlined below)
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- Website highlifehighland.com
- 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 7 services: archives, countryside rangers, leisure facilities, libraries, museums and galleries, music development and sports. 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 (@HLHCEO). The charity board is chaired by Michael Golding. The trading board is chaired by Michael Boylan. The charity operates over four directorates: Director of Inverness Castle and Events – Fiona Hampton; Director of Sport, Leisure & Safeguarding – James Martin (@HLHDirectorSLS); Director of Culture and Learning – John West; Director of Corporate Performance – Douglas Wilby.
- High Life Highland works with many partners (local, regional, and national) to deliver services and activities and make 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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