en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial Tower in Dingwall, UK, has reopened to the public after restoration.
The Category B listed tower on Mitchell Hill reopened on July 2, coinciding with the Dingwall Gala Week celebrations. The restoration project was jointly managed by The Highland Council and Dingwall Community Development Company (DCDC). The project received a £175,000 investment from the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF), part of the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, with additional funding from The Highland Council's property capital budget.
Contractor Compass Building and Construction Services Ltd carried out structural works, including re-roofing, repairing and refurbishing masonry, and steel structure work to support internal floor slabs. Following maintenance and restoration, DCDC has signed an agreement to formally take over the memorial tower and manage public access.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee, stated that this investment demonstrates a commitment to preserving local heritage and fostering community pride, adding that the restoration will play a key role in securing the historic building's future for the community and future generations, while actively supporting the area's economic regeneration and sustainable development by channeling funds into Dingwall. Dr Miles Mack, Chair of Dingwall Community Development Company, said that the community council and development company have worked with The Highland Council for years to reopen the tower, and with public access restored, local residents and visitors can once again enjoy views of Dingwall and the surrounding countryside from the tower's top. Andrew MacIvor, Chair of Dingwall Community Council, noted that the reopening of the memorial tower is a significant milestone, and by opening the monument for supervised summer visits, it not only fosters local pride but also creates a new attraction for tourists. Following the ceremony, the first group of visitors toured the tower.
