Suitable timing for announcement on Thurso's former town hall
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Thurso’s Heritage – Reminiscing with a Thirsa Loon
The announcement last month that Thurso’s former town hall will be reopened as the North Coast Visitor Centre was suitable timing. The building was celebrating its 150th anniversary since it was opened on the evening of Thursday, January 12, 1871.
When the facility closed in April 2006 for renovations, it was felt by some that Thurso had lost its town hall. To some degree, it had, as the large hall was no more.
However, the building had also reverted to its original purpose, and the stipulations laid out by the late donor whose legacy set the foundation for the community building. This was Alexander Henderson, agent for the Commercial Bank, and chief magistrate for several years, and “one of the best townsmen that Thurso can boast of having possessed”.
Henderson left £1000 for the erection of a building for public meetings of the inhabitants, including a public library or museum, plus a room for the police commissioners’ meetings – these would later merge into the town council.
By the time of his death, the money which had been invested had increased to £1300. Incidentally, Henderson had also left £7000 to the Free Church of Scotland and £500 for the town’s poor not receiving parochial relief with the remainder to his relatives.
The commissioners were appointed as trustees of the town hall funds. After discussions with architects, they concluded the money was not sufficient to erect a hall that would be creditable for the town, so they obtained subscriptions raising around £900.
One problem the commissioners had was that several large subscriptions were given on condition that the hall was erected in the Old Town. This limited their selection of a site. In the end, High Street’s central location was purchased for £300 and Aberdeen architect Russell MacKenzie was employed for the drawing up of the plans and supervising the construction.
MacKenzie also designed the Aberdeen Town and County Bank branches in Wick, Lybster and Thurso, plus the First Free Church in 1867.
As with any proposals, they were subject to change. One of Russell’s drawings clearly shows a large carved coat of arms in the central upper arch. This would change to the beautiful stained-glass window of St Peter. A second alteration appears with the four carved panels below the first-floor window. Only two would feature hand-carved coats of arms by a Thurso-born builder.
Regarding the museum, the nephew of the late Robert Dick donated the baker’s extensive collections. In addition to this, the Thurso Natural Science Association handed over its collection of artefacts. Items relating to Thurso’s history followed and James Brims’s efforts saw the purchase of the extensive and valuable natural history collection of the late Dr Sinclair of Wick.
The building’s opening took the form of a soiree, attended by all the principal ladies and gentlemen from Thurso and elsewhere in the county. Around 500 were present, and many more would have come but were unable to obtain tickets.
What was a new building in an old town has remained a focal point for generations and, with so much to say about it and the surrounding area, it is worthy of its own display. When the opening day comes round, it will likely be a much quieter affair due to the pandemic, but hopefully it will be successful.
To get in touch, contact thursoheritage1@gmail.com
