Following a highly anticipated official opening ceremony held today (Thursday 2 July 2026), the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial Tower on Mitchell Hill, Dingwall has officially reopened to the public.
The ceremony, which coincided with the Dingwall Gala Week festivities, celebrated the successful completion of extensive structural upgrades to the B-listed landmark.
The ambitious restoration was managed by The Highland Council in close collaboration with the Dingwall Community Development Company (DCDC). The project was made possible by a £175,000 investment from the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) part of The Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme and investment from The Highland Council Property Capital budget.
Contractors, Compass Building and Construction Services Ltd executed the significant structural upgrades, which included re-decking the roof, restoration and refurbishment of the masonry and steelwork to support the internal floors. With the maintenance and repair works now complete, DCDC has signed an agreement to formally take possession of the memorial tower and will oversee public access moving forward.
Highlighting the importance of preserving this national landmark, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee said: “This marks a significant investment in the Memorial and underlines our commitment to preserving local heritage and fostering community pride. The restoration will play a key role in ensuring the future of this historic building for the community and generations to come.
"By directing these funds, part of The Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, into Dingwall, we are actively supporting economic regeneration and sustainable development in the area. This investment not only secures the structural future of a vital B-listed asset, but also it empowers the local community to leverage their heritage to support the broader local economy."
Reflecting on the successful handover and what it means for the town, Dr Miles Mack, Chair of the Dingwall Community Development Company welcomed this milestone: “For some years, Dingwall Community Council, and latterly Dingwall Community Development Company, have been working with The Highland Council to enable the reopening of the MacDonald Memorial Tower to the public. With public access restored, the magnificent views of Dingwall and the surrounding countryside from the top of Sir Hector’s Memorial can once again be enjoyed by local folk and visitors to our town.”
Chair of Dingwall Community Council, Andrew MacIvor, said: "The reopening of the Memorial on Mitchell Hill is a tremendous milestone that brings direct benefits to Dingwall. The Community Council has worked for years alongside the Dingwall Community Development Company and The Highland Council to make this a reality. By opening the monument for supervised summer visits, we are not only fostering local pride but also creating a new attraction for visitors. We hope this will bring increased footfall right through the heart of Dingwall, supporting our Museum which has a splendid permanent exhibition about Sir Hector, local shops and businesses while sharing our rich history."
Following the ceremonial events, the monument welcomed its first visitors.
Dingwall Community Council is actively working on finalising the details for an ongoing summer booking system and is currently seeking additional volunteers to help lead future groups of visitors.
Because parking at Mitchell Hill is limited, visitors are encouraged to use Dingwall town centre car parks and walk up the hill to enjoy the newly restored Memorial.