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Has Inverness changed much..


ar78

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PMF - where on the net did you find this little treasure because it would be good to have a look at the whole town?

It's from 1913 extracted from "A Handbook for Travellers in Scotland" by John Murray (maybe Mr Leakey can find one for you) and there are many more HERE

Edited by PullMyFinger
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More maps here and here.

Interesting to see the Muirton HOTEL on Telford Street before there was a distillery there.

This one is from the same era as the one I posted and is superior scan quality. Interesting to see all the landmarks that my father would have seen as a boy. Click on the top cente map to zoom in. HERE

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Interesting to see the Muirton HOTEL on Telford Street before there was a distillery there.

Think it was still there after the distillery too !!! Was this not the house that sat next to B&Q that went on fire in an allegedly suspicious manner in the late 90s and was then converted into individual flats ?

post-2-1267710863_thumb.png

Very interesting map. From a Dalneigh boy point of view, interesting to note that Fairfield Road only has Harrowden, Attadale and what looks like Perceval road ... no Lochalsh Road, Telford Gardens, Dunain Road etc and the rest of Dalneigh is still farmers fields by the look of it except Bruce Gardens which was known as "Cemetery Road". Fascinating

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Its not very good and the scales dont quite match up but I created a small overlay showing today's google map alongside one of those old maps .... its in png format and is layered so if you have photoshop or fireworks you may be able to tweak it a bit.

post-2-1267715179_thumb.png

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Very interesting map. From a Dalneigh boy point of view, interesting to note that Fairfield Road only has Harrowden, Attadale and what looks like Perceval road ... no Lochalsh Road, Telford Gardens, Dunain Road etc and the rest of Dalneigh is still farmers fields by the look of it except Bruce Gardens which was known as "Cemetery Road". Fascinating

Yes, I was looking at the Dalneigh bit with great interest as well. I reckon the buildings marked "Dalneich" were probably the buildings for Dalneigh Farm. Before I saw Scotty's overlaid maps I guesstimated they were round about where the right angle between St. Valery Ave and St Ninian Drive now is. It seems I was about 150 yards out since they seem to be between the St Ninian cul de sac and St Mungo Rd. Interestingly enough "Dalneich" was how my granny (born on Shore Street in 1899) pronounced it.

At leisure I must zoom in on other part of the town.

Edited by Charles Bannerman
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Very interesting map. From a Dalneigh boy point of view, interesting to note that Fairfield Road only has Harrowden, Attadale and what looks like Perceval road ... no Lochalsh Road, Telford Gardens, Dunain Road etc and the rest of Dalneigh is still farmers fields by the look of it except Bruce Gardens which was known as "Cemetery Road". Fascinating

Yes, I was looking at the Dalneigh bit with great interest as well. I reckon the buildings marked "Dalneich" were probably the buildings for Dalneigh Farm. Before I saw Scotty's overlaid maps I guesstimated they were round about where the right angle between St. Valery Ave and St Ninian Drive now is. It seems I was about 150 yards out since they seem to be between the St Ninian cul de sac and St Mungo Rd. Interestingly enough "Dalneich" was how my granny (born on Shore Street in 1899) pronounced it.

At leisure I must zoom in on other part of the town.

I always thought the Manse was the farmhouse.

Note the Militia Depot on Telford Road. It's a matter of time 'til it returns. :rolleyes:

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More maps here and here.

Interesting to see the Muirton HOTEL on Telford Street before there was a distillery there.

This one is from the same era as the one I posted and is superior scan quality. Interesting to see all the landmarks that my father would have seen as a boy. Click on the top cente map to zoom in. HERE

When you click on either of those links then click on the 1867 OS town plan for Inverness, there's a button at the bottom for "Background Information" which gives you an overview of the town in the 19th century. I mention this purely because it's a fascinating and enlightening read, and not at all because it was me who wrote it while working in the NLS back in 2002. I'm sure Charles will be able to correct me on anything I got wrong.

I did the background stuff for about 1/3 of the 19th century OS plans on that site. As a result, I still know more about 19th century Elgin than anyone would ever need or care to know...

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I always thought the Manse was the farmhouse.

Note the Militia Depot on Telford Road. It's a matter of time 'til it returns. :lol:

Yes as far as I am aware it was but the buildings shown would presumably have been farm buildings and Scotty's overlay actually places them adjacent to the Dalneighy school edge of the Manse grounds as I remember them which seems absolutely spot on and logical.

Was the Militia Depot a bakery for a long bnumber of years?

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When you click on either of those links then click on the 1867 OS town plan for Inverness, there's a button at the bottom for "Background Information" which gives you an overview of the town in the 19th century. I mention this purely because it's a fascinating and enlightening read, and not at all because it was me who wrote it while working in the NLS back in 2002. I'm sure Charles will be able to correct me on anything I got wrong.

I have just read this and it is an absolutely excellent overview of the history of Inverness.

I was interested to see the dates quoted for the construction of the castle as 1834-46. The date I had been familiar with is 1836 which would have just made it pre Victorian but this suggests that Inverness Castle is, in fact, a Victorian Folly. I note that the prison etc inside the grounds to which I referred earlier also seems to date from that period.

I don't know if you are aware but you have split hairs with brilliant accuracy in referring to "Inverness Academy" as having been founded in 1792 because the school was indeed founded in that year under that name and did not acquire its "Royal" tag until 1793. It is regarded as the natural successor of the 16th century Grammar School which began life in Bank Lane which was hence known as School Vennel and then moved to Dunbar's Hospital where it was attended for maths lessons by Major (later General) Wolfe who was on Cumberland's staff at Culloden and who in 1759 captured Quebec from the French during the Seven Years War. The Grammar School was itself a successor of the Monastic School in Friars Street which was founded in the 1230s. Hence Inverness Royal Academy today represents an educational tradition of almost 800 years in the Highland Captial.

So get it right up yiz all youse Tecky and Millburn Junior Secondary plebs and even worse all youse Johnny Come Latelies from Charleston and Culloden! :lol: :P :lol::lol: (Note - until the first half of the 20th century the most reliable means of getting into Inverness Royal Academy was to have well heeled parents who could pay your way in irrespective of brainpower! The school made a transition into comprehensive status like the rest between 1973 and 1980. :) )

Can I conclude by pointing out one small error in an otherwise admirable tract. You quote the population of Inverness as 12,509 at the 1861 Census. It was actually 12,510. You appear top have omitted Caley100. :D :D :D

Edited by Charles Bannerman
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When I was a prefect at the Royal Academy Johndo was the most irritating little hyperactive nyaff of a Second Year that anybody could imagine. The standard way of dealing with Johndo was to grab him by the scruff of the neck, bend him over the arm of the sofa we had in the Prefects' Room and serially and seriously set about his backside

Aye Charles, that school certainly was the Eton of Inverness!

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The fountain is now on Island Bank road without the roof. It was relocated due to health and safety of pedestrians I believe.

post-2081-1267750933.jpg

The three graces were sold to Orkney but have been bought back by the common good fund for ?15000. I think the council are still deliberating on a location to rehouse them, Ness Bank Church being the favoured location but knowing them it'll be the foyer of the HC headquarters so we don't get to see them. They were replaced by Ronald McDonald staring out of a window. At least the clach-na-cuddin is still at the town house for all to see.

Preferred option

post-2081-1267751805.jpg

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When you click on either of those links then click on the 1867 OS town plan for Inverness, there's a button at the bottom for "Background Information" which gives you an overview of the town in the 19th century. I mention this purely because it's a fascinating and enlightening read, and not at all because it was me who wrote it while working in the NLS back in 2002. I'm sure Charles will be able to correct me on anything I got wrong.

I have just read this and it is an absolutely excellent overview of the history of Inverness.

I was interested to see the dates quoted for the construction of the castle as 1834-46. The date I had been familiar with is 1836 which would have just made it pre Victorian but this suggests that Inverness Castle is, in fact, a Victorian Folly. I note that the prison etc inside the grounds to which I referred earlier also seems to date from that period.

I don't know if you are aware but you have split hairs with brilliant accuracy in referring to "Inverness Academy" as having been founded in 1792 because the school was indeed founded in that year under that name and did not acquire its "Royal" tag until 1793. It is regarded as the natural successor of the 16th century Grammar School which began life in Bank Lane which was hence known as School Vennel and then moved to Dunbar's Hospital where it was attended for maths lessons by Major (later General) Wolfe who was on Cumberland's staff at Culloden and who in 1759 captured Quebec from the French during the Seven Years War. The Grammar School was itself a successor of the Monastic School in Friars Street which was founded in the 1230s. Hence Inverness Royal Academy today represents an educational tradition of almost 800 years in the Highland Captial.

So get it right up yiz all youse Tecky and Millburn Junior Secondary plebs and even worse all youse Johnny Come Latelies from Charleston and Culloden! :lol::lol::lol::lol: (Note - until the first half of the 20th century the most reliable means of getting into Inverness Royal Academy was to have well heeled parents who could pay your way in irrespective of brainpower! The school made a transition into comprehensive status like the rest between 1973 and 1980. :) )

Can I conclude by pointing out one small error in an otherwise admirable tract. You quote the population of Inverness as 12,509 at the 1861 Census. It was actually 12,510. You appear top have omitted Caley100. :D :D :D

Thank you Mr B! Generous praise for a Millburn pleb (albeit from the comprehensive era). It's been a while so I can't be sure, but I assume the omission on the "Royal" was conscious, although I'm not sure I realised the school gained the title so soon after its foundation. Interesting to hear that Wolfe had attended classes in Inverness: we were taught about him at Crown Primary (perhaps partly because of the Inverness connection) but the only three facts I have retained over the subsequent 25 or so years are that he had bright red hair, no chin and scaled the Heights of Abraham. Strange what the mind deems worthy of keeping...

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Thank you Mr B! Generous praise for a Millburn pleb (albeit from the comprehensive era). It's been a while so I can't be sure, but I assume the omission on the "Royal" was conscious, although I'm not sure I realised the school gained the title so soon after its foundation. Interesting to hear that Wolfe had attended classes in Inverness: we were taught about him at Crown Primary (perhaps partly because of the Inverness connection) but the only three facts I have retained over the subsequent 25 or so years are that he had bright red hair, no chin and scaled the Heights of Abraham. Strange what the mind deems worthy of keeping...

No bull fro me either AM... I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Oh and by the look of the wifie that I remember used to teach P7 at Crown I thought you were going to say you were taught BY Gen Wolfe at Crown Primary :lol: except that the said wifie had short grey hair circumscribing the most fierce expression I have ever seen. Rumour had it that she taught with the bible in one hand and the belt in the other. By the way you could add two further facts about Quebec - Wolfe was killed and the opposing French general was called Montcalm.

PMF's colour image of the Town Hall, the Forbes Fountain and the Three Graces is intriguing. It is VERY VERY similar to and taken from exactly the same place as quite a well known black and white image which I got from Am Baile and used in my latest ROYAL :lol: Academy book. Given that colour technology wasn't available in the late 19th century I am wondering if PMF's image is either a colour drawing based on that photo or reprocessed using computer.

The Forbes Fountain may well have been relocated to Bellfield for H and S reasons but it hasn't had a lot of luck there. It keeps getting filled with washing up liquid by pranksters and frequently gushes bubbles!

Edited by Charles Bannerman
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PMF's colour image of the Town Hall, the Forbes Fountain and the Three Graces is intriguing. It is VERY VERY similar to and taken from exactly the same place as quite a well known black and white image which I got from Am Baile and used in my latest ROYAL :lol: Academy book. Given that colour technology wasn't available in the late 19th century I am wondering if PMF's image is either a colour drawing based on that photo or reprocessed using computer.

That would be the image posted by "deadballspecialist".

I believe the colouring would have been done in a photographers darkroom. I can remember by brother doing similar tricks when he was a boy.

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By the look of the wifie that I remember used to teach P7 at Crown I thought you were going to say you were taught BY Gen Wolfe at Crown Primary :lol: except that the said wifie had short grey hair circumscribing the most fierce expression I have ever seen. Rumour had it that she taught with the bible in one hand and the belt in the other.

That would Miss Macdonald, aka "Sergeant Major". I was never taught by her, but I believe her bark was worse than her bite. The belt was abolished when I was in P7, however, so perhaps her mellowing was enforced. Re. the bible in one hand, that was standard for Crown; in fact, I'm surprised there weren't pictures of Calvin on every classroom wall.

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This is for ex Crown members, I remember when I was in primary at the Crown, the headmaster for the Crown was a tall, very imposing white/ grey haired man, I used to see my big brov over the wall at play time and he would pass me a gobstopper or some sweets, but always said dont let the big man see ya!! does any one remember him.

This site does bring back memories all the maps etc: are great.

So in all the posters opinions here, what actually brought about the demise of Inverness. When I was last home I was amazed at the empty shops. the charity shops, seemed to permeate thro the town. I did go to a game, but sat in the main stand and thought the craic was great, but the area around Tulloch stadium, looked sparse and unkempt. The unforgiveable sin was, Mrs L and I were invited to the Heathmount for a drink after. I vaguely remember being by my told by my now,demised brother it was the in place years ago when Jimmy was a barman there in the time of Bud??? Cameron, I never actually drank there but my brother did, two bars and a good domino team anyone remember???

Edited by latviaman
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This is for ex Crown members, I remember when I was in primary at the Crown, the headmaster for the Crown was a tall, very imposing white/ grey haired man, I used to see my big brov over the wall at play time and he would pass me a gobstopper or some sweets, but always said dont let the big man see ya!! does any one remember him.

This site does bring back memories all the maps etc: are great.

So in all the posters opinions here, what actually brought about the demise of Inverness. When I was last home I was amazed at the empty shops. the charity shops, seemed to permeate thro the town. I did go to a game, but sat in the main stand and thought the craic was great, but the area around Tulloch stadium, looked sparse and unkempt. The unforgiveable sin was, Mrs L and I were invited to the Heathmount for a drink after. I vaguely remember being by my told by my now,demised brother it was the in place years ago when Jimmy was a barman there in the time of Bud??? Cameron, I never actually drank there but my brother did, two bars and a good domino team anyone remember???

Aye.. yer going back a bit now, not sure about old Heathmount days, but when i was at crown school (mid-late sixties) it was a mr Macleod who was the boss, i think he was replace by Mr Campbell of shinty fame i think.

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Nostalgia has a romantic undertone but in fact the town (yes town) hasn't really changed that much. We just get older and the next generation(s) make their mark.

well if the incoming generations are responsible for what I see as a poor drab town, perhaps PMF u should go for provost!!!

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Nostalgia has a romantic undertone but in fact the town (yes town) hasn't really changed that much. We just get older and the next generation(s) make their mark.

well if the incoming generations are responsible for what I see as a poor drab town, perhaps PMF u should go for provost!!!

Incomers have very little to do with it Latviaman, it's just us getting older and not realising we lived in a "poor drab town" in our youth. What did you do to make it better?

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Absolutely nought, I went to University then later armed with an Engineering degree joined the Fleet Air Arm and was paid/ taught to fly by UK taxpayers, mind you I did do my bit in the Falklands, but dont think I alone could change the world.

My eldest son has just completed his 3rd stint in Iraq, I tried to persuade him to be a civvy, but his reply..... who wants to be a bus driver like you!!!

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