Originally a place of a few farms and Castle Leod, Strathpeffer owes its growth and popularity to the discovery of sulphurous springs here in the 1770s. A Dr Morrison from Aberdeenshire publicised the healing powers of the waters at the beginning of the 19th century and, on his recommendation, the first wooden pump room was built in 1819.
With the strong support of the then Countess of Cromartie, the village developed as a Victorian spa resort, its popularity greatly enhanced by the opening of the Strathpeffer branch of the Dingwall and Skye Railway in 1885. Many grand hotels and substantial Victorian villas were built to accommodate the steady stream of visitors who came to 'take the waters'. These improved facilities meant that Strathpeffer could compete with other spa towns in Britain and Europe. Until World War I the village was a major visitor attraction but thereafter its popularity declined.
The main Pump Room was demolished in the 1950s but the Upper Pump Room, next to the Pavilion, still remains. It now houses a range of interpretive displays which reveal the history behind the development of the Spa and visitors can again sample the healing waters.
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| Spa Museum |
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| Eaglestone |
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| The Pavilion in the First World War |
Featured Heritage page
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| Victorian Day |
Victorian Day
MINUTES MEETING OF VICTORIAN DAY COMMITTEE 24-08-11
Present: Brenda Brown (BB): Gerry Brown (GB): Val Moffat (VM): Sally Dovey (SD): Shirley Stephenson (SS): Maureen McCluskie: (MM): Denise Page (DP): Jean MacNair (JM): Walter Fleming (WF): Sandra Fleming (SF): Kit Bowen (KB): Janet Bowen (JB)
ACTIONS IN BOLD
1. FEEDBACK ON 2011
Market Day 2011 was very good to excellent.
Music excellent and created a real buzz. Many locals present as well as visitors.
KB would be reluctant to see anything cut back and the Initiative and Community Council are behind the event. Happy to do a job but would need it to be time quantified.
Committee admitted it had learned a lot of lessons e.g. re signage and emphasising the free park and ride. SD: children’s activities at the centre were very popular and all providers wished to return.
Storyteller - although excellent was not well attended. Suggestions (VM: JM) were that it need more proactive advertising.
2. THE FUTURE?
JM: the children’s activities at the Community Centre did very well: suggested having more e.g. Drum for Fun
MM: would it be possible to have the main road closed too as e.g. Ullapool?
People find committee style language and meetings off-putting, Perhaps think of less intimidating terminology.
Dingwall rotary club gazebos were borrowed for the Ullapool Tall Ships event.
3. WAY FORWARD
Another meeting to meet other interested people VM will email them the task list and meeting arrangements.
MM and SS have spoken to other people e.g. TA, about possibly providing volunteers on the day (they would need at least 3 months notice). They will pass on their contact details and speak to them again.
Word of mouth by far the most promising way of recruiting: all to try.
Other advertising suggestions:
o Achnasheen & Garve Newsletter
o Ross Life
o ICA
o Spotlight
o The Highland Key website
Thanks to the new people for coming and to Val for putting together the meeting.
The survival of the day will be dependant on more of the community coming forward to get involved and to encourage this there will be refreshments (provided by old committee).
Next meeting: to be informal-ish in the Community Centre, 5th October 2011 at 19.30.
AGM TO ELECT NEW COMMITTEE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER.
