Market is a mega success
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CAITHNESS Horizons was transformed into a festive extravaganza of arts and crafts at the weekend as the museum's first two-day Christmas Mega Market attracted more than 1500 people.
With entry to the museum waived for the occasion, there were over 30 stalls located throughout the building, exhibiting and selling a range of high-quality creative work from across the Highlands.
Stallholders reported steady sales over both Friday and Saturday. Products on offer included garden ornaments made from recycled wood and metal, fused glass jewellery, artisan chocolate, goat cheese and craft gin.
Stars of the weekend were the operators of Ice and Fire Distillery who drew quite a crowd with visitors looking to sample their gin made using pure Highland water and carefully picked botanicals.
Horizons commercial manager Tracy Dodson said: "Christmas started early at Caithness Horizons at the weekend. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was great to see the building teeming with people. A huge thank-you to our fantastic stallholders, visitors and staff for making the weekend such a success."
Thurso High School choir donated their time to come along and sing some Christmas songs and hymns in the reception area. This was live-streamed onto the Horizons Facebook page and has since been viewed more than 2500 times.
Horizons marketing officer and market co-ordinator Eleanor Hargrave said: "Having been working on this event since mid-August, I am delighted the first two-day Christmas Mega Market has been such a success. The aim of this event was twofold – to showcase the incredible talent of Highland makers and to raise awareness of our museum and its exhibits within the local community.
"We've already had some people asking if we will be running the event again next year – I think that speaks for itself!"
Next up at Caithness Horizons are free museum tours this Saturday at 11am and 1pm. For one day only each month, join Caithness Horizons volunteer Wendy Newton as she guides you through some of the museum's most important objects including the original Dounreay Materials Test Reactor, the Robert Dick Herbarium and the fascinating Pictish stones.
The tour which will last about one hour will give an in-depth introduction to the museum's range of exhibits, allowing you time to revisit your favourites. The tour is free but donations are welcome.
Caithness Horizons will also be playing host to a Community Day in conjunction with the Thurso Fun Day on December 1. This event will give local charities and community groups an opportunity to promote their cause to the public free of charge in the Horizons building.
If you are interested, contact Eleanor on 01847 896508.
* See this week's Caithness Courier for more pics.
