Cash boost for vital repair work at Wick Heritage Centre
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The Wick Society has been given the “last piece of the jigsaw” in a funding bid to carry out vital upgrade work.
A grant of £50,000 has been awarded from the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable restoration work to go ahead at the fishing hall buildings behind the Wick Heritage Museum in Bank Row.
The grant is the final piece of funding needed to restore various parts of the category “A”-listed building that have fallen into disrepair, explained society chairman Harry Gray.
“This bit of funding is the last piece of the jigsaw so work can get started now,” he said. “It’s such a relief as the buildings were in great need of repair. The danger was that the water leaking in would damage the artefacts.”
He added: “We will also be updating the museum with audiovisual aids which should add to the experience, but it will still retain its couthiness.”
Over the years extensive parts of the roof on the listed building have shown signs of wear and tear, and repairs and restoration are urgently needed. Once the building has been restored, the Heritage Lottery Fund grant along with other funds collected by the society will allow the exhibition space to be fully modernised and the displays remodelled to tell the story of Wick’s remarkable 200-year development around the fishing industry.
Under the expert guidance of the curator of Caithness Horizons, Joanne Howdle, and the participation of students of the University of the Highlands and Islands plus Wick Society members, new interpretative features will be prepared to enhance the visitor experience.
Advanced training in conservation skills will also be developed to ensure the long-term care of the collection.
Additionally, the unique knowledge and abilities of the museum guides in telling the story of Wick and its people will be expanded and enhanced.
Work is scheduled to start this month on the extensive £161,398 project.
Historic Scotland has approved a conservation architect and will contribute 75 per cent of the building costs through the Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme. The Highland Council’s Wick Ward discretionary fund (£9100) and the Wick Society (£8000) are also contributing to the cost of this significant project.
Commenting on the lottery award, society vice-chairman Malcolm Bremner said: “The award will allow critical work to be undertaken and ensure that the fishing heritage of Wick is preserved for future generations.”
Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland Colin McLean added that the grant will undoubtedly transform Wick Heritage Museum into a modern-day visitor attraction.
“Its fascinating fishing exhibits will be brought to life through new interpretation so that many more people, from the local community and tourists, can enjoy learning about the town’s past,” he said.
“The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be able to support this project and congratulate the management team and all the volunteers who run the museum in their dedication to making it happen.”
There will be a certain loss of amenity during the work, said Mr Gray, but the museum will not close to the public.
