Cromarty History Society

The Cromarty Homes and Heritage Project has arranged for curator Paul Monk to provide a 'behind the scenes' guided tour of the Courthouse Museum on Tuesday 7th May from 10 to 11.30 am. In Paul's own words - "This will include some social history objects such as linen sheets reputed to have been woven in the hemp factory, a sampler from the 1840s from a young girl who lived in High Street.  There will be the objects that have just been allocated to us by the Treasure Trove Panel(metal detector finds)and the archaeology from East Church – mostly small items that were found beneath the floor boards during the excavations.  I will get out some photographs as well as a selection of interesting materials from our archive including some original documents from the Horticultural Society, the Dorcas Society ( these are particularly interesting in terms of the Homes and Heritage project)and the Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway.  There will also be a selection of photocopies of maps and plans that are mostly housed in the National Library".

The maximum number for this tour is 15, so pre-booking is essential to rossandcromarch@gmail.com or via the CHH website.

THE FRIENDS OF HUGH MILLER

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU
TO ATTEND
A PUBLIC MEETING

On

“Highland history’s riches
and where to find them”

An illustrated presentation by

Norman Newton

(former head of Highland Council Libraries’
reference and information services)

At 3.30pm on Saturday, 18th May
At The Cromarty Centre (Old Brewery)

All Welcome: Entry Free

(Light refreshments will be served after the meeting)

We’ve had another successful and varied programme.  This year, more than half of our lectures have been delivered by our members.  We are indebted to Jane Verburg, Ross Couper, Ro Scott and David Alston for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for their chosen subjects with us. Perhaps this may encourage others to come forward to tell us about their interests at future meetings.
In addition, a local GP Dr Miles Mack, reminded us about the 100th anniversary of the Dewar Report, which had a significant impact not only for health services in the Highlands and Islands but also influenced the development of the NHS. Mary Miers, a renowned author on historical architecture, offered us a fascinating history of the Western Seaboard region through its built heritage. We had a return visit from Graham Clark who this time talked about his fascination with the development of cartography and looked at maps of Scotland and how the Black Isle had been represented.
All of our meetings have been well attended; in fact our average audience has been in the mid-thirties, including a significant number of visitors.  We hope you agree that there has been something for everyone in the wide-ranging programme of talks.
 
We have been able to make a further financial contribution to the Cromarty Courthouse this year. This as a positive way of showing our continued support for the museum and it has enabled trustees to purchase lighting for display cabinets there.
Our website continues to be maintained by Sandy Thomson and he reports a steady increase in visits to this site. Any enquiries that come via this site are dealt with by Sandy or he will pass on to an appropriate person. It seems that one summer visitor to Cromarty last year was an American theology professor and was a direct result of an enquiry for information via our website.
Finally, this society would be unable to operate without a hard-working committee and thanks are due to all serving committee members for their continued efforts.
Mary Bowers
3th April 2013

There are still a few places left on the workshop next Tuesday morning (23rd) on 'Online Research and the Highland Historic Environment Record'. This takes place at the Old Brewery, Cromarty from 10 till 12.30 and is led by one of the Highland Council's archaeologists plus the two facilitators of the Cromarty Homes and Heritage Project.

Book a place via the CHH website at www.spamglefish.com/cromartyhomesandheritage.

One of the stories told by Mrs Jean Newell back in 1994 as part of the Courthouse Museum's oral history project is of the day she uncovered a German spy before WWI. Read all about it at http://www.spanglefish.com/cromartyhomesandheritage/blog.asp

Now that the details of the Cromarty Homes and Heritage Programme have been announced (see their website), one event of particular interest to History Society members will be the following workshop. Please note: there is no charge for this event - it's FREE.

Tuesday 23rd April from 10.00 am till 12.30 at the Old Brewery: Researching your community online

The Highland Council's Historic Environment Record (HER) Officer will be leading this session to teach participants about using and contributing to the Highlands' very own database of historical and archaeological sites and buildings.  This amazing and easily accessible resource contains invaluable data and images from historical documents, archaeological excavations, surveys, artefacts and much more.  Wireless internet access is available and participants are invited to bring their own laptops or otherwise (iPad, etc) to learn hands-on during the workshop (although this is by no means a requirement).  Following on from this, a member of Ross & Cromarty Archaeological Services will show participants some easy-to-use online resources to assist in all types of internet-based historical research. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

The Steering Group for the Lottery-funded 'Cromarty Homes and Heritage' oral history project has now announced an exciting programme of events to run from Easter to October this year. The programme includes a series of seven 'Memories Workshops', each one looking at a particular aspect of Cromarty life, and using old maps and images of buildings and places to stimulate recollection. There will also be some distinguished visitors to Cromarty from the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Scotland (RCAHMS). 

For the full programme, see the website at www.spanglefish.com/cromartyhomesandheritage or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CromartyHomesandHeritage

You are invited to an open meeting of THE BLACK ISLE WRITERS GROUP

THE MAN WHO WENT TO FARR
By JG LEITH

MEET THE AUTHOR

GORDON MEMORIAL HALL ROSEMARKIE
Wednesday 27 March 2013     2.00 – 3.30pm

All welcome                     FREE

JG Leith, author of the book‘The Man who went to Farr’ will lead a discussion which will include a visual presentation of the facts, followed by an interactive and participative examination of the evidence, before considering the verdict.
Patrick Sellar was acquitted, and no-one can argue that, in law, he was cleared of all charges brought against him, but he was never able to escape the continuing accusations.

Today the debate still rumbles on, amid an ever lively interest in the Highland Clearances.

Apologies from ARCH! The walk looking at wartime remains in Evanton mentioned in the previous News story is for SATURDAY, 2nd March, not Sunday.