Bells toll to mark completion of Inverness Steeple refurbishment works.
A service of dedication was held today in Inverness Led by Rev Peter Nimmo of Old High St Stephen’s Church to mark the completion of renovation works on an Inverness landmark.
City of Inverness Area Leader, Councillor Ian Brown welcomed the completion of the £550,000 renovations works on Inverness Steeple which were funded by Inverness Common Good Fund and Historic Scotland. He said: “It’s great to see one of our major architectural assets and landmarks on the Inverness skyline reclaimed and fit for purpose for many years to come.
“The steeple works reflect Highland Council’s commitment within its Programme for Administration to support investment which enhances economic activity. The refurbished steeple will be a valuable asset in our quest to attract more tourists to the City.
“Apart from improving the safety aspects of the fabric and structure of the building, it now looks great after the clean-up and I am sure that many people like myself are only too happy to be able to look up and see the clock again and hear the bells toll.”
Provost of Inverness Councillor Alex Graham added: “This is the first major refurbishment of the Steeple since 1923. Local residents and visitors alike will be delighted that the heart of Inverness now has the landmark golden weather vane back in its place at the top of this historic building that will be an asset to our City for generations to come. The City is fortunate that Inverness Common Good Fund was able to meet much of the cost. We are extremely grateful to Historic Scotland for their contribution to restoring this Grade-A listed structure which is such an important part of our heritage.”
The major refurbishments at the Grade A-listed building on the corner of Bridge Street and Church Street included masonry works to repair or replace loose, worn or damaged stone and repairs to the clock face, bell mechanisms and weather vane on the tower.
At the service today, Provost Graham welcomed those attending; Rev Nimmo said a short prayer and blessing and Leader Brown thanked Apprentice Stonemasons Andy MacDonald and Martin Cann and their Site Manager Andrew Beattie of Laing Traditional Masonry for their hard work.
Highland Council’s Clerk of Works Robert McCubbin rang the bells and set them all to chime again for the first time in many years. Prior to the repairs only 1 of the 3 existing bells had been working. Now the steeple bells will chime from 8am to 8pm daily; once at quarter to and quarter past the hour; twice at half past the hour and on the hour striking the number of times equal to the hour.
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.
During the current steeple renovations a historic time capsule was uncovered in October 2012 and a package of old documents dating from 1923 were found which had been placed there from earlier renovation works.
In November 2012, The Provost of Inverness Councillor Alex Graham, accompanied by Rev Peter Nimmo, Old High St Stephen’s Church, ‘buried’ a new time capsule in the apex of the steeple to mark the renovation works which is not to be opened before the year 2112. Contents of the new capsule are recorded on the council’s website.