Time capsule uncovered during historic steeple renovations

Photos showing the contents of the time capsule

A package of old documents dating from 1923 has been found during renovation works on Inverness Steeple.

The package of rolled documents was found in the steeple by contractors appointed by The Highland Council to carry out renovation works and then passed to High Life Highland’s museum and archives staff for further investigation.

Jeanette Pearson, Conservation Officer with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery explained: “The outer wrapping was dark faced (possibly waxed) paper, tied with sisal string with red parcel wax on one of the knots. When I unwrapped its contents with the assistance of Lydia Stirling at the archive service we found:

In 1923 The Provost of Inverness was David Petrie, and his calling card was included in the package along with those of:

All of the documents are in a fragile and damaged condition but original copies of the minutes and the newspaper are already available in the Highland Archives and Inverness Library.

Provost of Inverness Alex Graham, said: “This is an exciting find giving a fascinating glimpse into the past at a time when the Council was engaged in the same task as today - repairing the Town Steeple which is a major landmark in the city centre.”

"This package was left in 1923 when the Council carried out major repairs to the Steeple, at a cost of £340! That would have been a considerable sum in those days, and the Inverness Courier reported that the Council had "reluctantly decided work should go on". The Council was then negotiating purchase of the Bught Estate - now a major asset to our City -  and perhaps budgets were a bit stretched."

"It is interesting that one of the cards is for Mr C Kippen, who was a steeplejack from Glasgow who carried out the works. As now, specialists were required for the work to the Steeple."

“Am Baile historical website notes that Provost Petrie and his wife were strong advocates of temperance. This may explain why the time capsule included a business card from the Temperance Hotel, which was on Academy Street opposite the Railway Station."

"The Steeple is a major part of our built heritage, which at one time housed the court and jail as well as the town clock. 1923 seems to have been the last time it was properly repaired, although the clock was replaced a few years later.  The Steeple is Grade A listed and the important restoration work currently under way should ensure it continues to be an asset to Inverness for generations to come."

The Inverness Steeple renovations works, estimated to cost £550,000 are being funded by Inverness Common Good Fund and Historic Scotland. The major refurbishments on-going at the Grade A-listed building on the corner of Bridge Street and Church Street include masonry to repair or replace loose, worn or damaged stone and repairs to the clock face, bell mechanisms and weather vane on the tower.

The current steeple is all that remains of a tolbooth building erected in 1791 at a total cost of £3,400. Built by the architect William Sibbald of Edinburgh, the steeple is 130 feet high and although badly twisted by an earthquake in 1816, it was straightened some years later