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Community archive project to celebrate Inverness antiquarian

News imageMel M-McKay/HLH Fraser-Mackintosh collection The black and white portrait of Charles Fraser-Mackintosh shows a elderly man in a bonnet with a bushy white beard. He has piercing eyes which are looking slightly away from the camera.Mel M-McKay/HLH Fraser-Mackintosh collection
Charles Fraser-Mackintosh was an avid collector of historical documents

The achievements of a man who played a key role in the cultural and physical development of Inverness in the 19th Century are to be marked in a new project.

Charles Fraser-Mackintosh was an MP, lawyer, property developer and an enthusiastic collector of historical books, manuscripts and other artifacts.

A partnership of public organisations and university researchers are planning to digitise and conserve 100 items from his collection.

Workshops and other public events will also be held as part of the Invernessiana project to celebrate Fraser-Mackintosh's cultural contribution to the Highlands.

The project has been timed to coincide with the 150-year anniversary of the publication of Fraser-Mackintosh's book Invernessiana which looked at the history of Inverness and its parish from 1160 to 1599.

Inverness Library houses more than 5,000 items that were collected by the antiquarian and it is a significant historical and cultural resource.

Fraser-Mackintosh was also at the centre of urban development and current affairs in the Highlands.

Along with others, he was responsible for building Union Street, which is still at the heart of Inverness today.

As an MP he was involved the debate over land reform in the aftermath of the Highland Clearances.

News imageMel M-McKay/HLH Fraser-Mackintosh collection This black and white print shows Inverness's Union Street in its early days. People in Victorian dress can be seen on the pavements and the buildings look grand with large elegant windows and doorways. Mel M-McKay/HLH Fraser-Mackintosh collection
A print of Union Street that featured in Fraser-Mackintosh's Invernessiana book.

A volunteer group will be established at Inverness library as part of the archive project to digitise photographs and items from the collection, and conserve rare materials.

Additionally they will create a digital resource based on Fraser-Mackintosh's impact on Inverness, and on his interest in Gaelic and land reform.

UHI Inverness, UHI North, West and Hebrides and Robert Gordon University will work on the project with High Life Highland who run the region's library service.

Funding support is coming from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Plans Fund, Inverness City Heritage Trust funded by Historic Environment Scotland, and Inverness Common Good Fund.

'Fascinating stories'

Project lead Mel Manwaring-McKay, from the Centre for Living Sustainability at UHI Inverness, said they were excited to be working with so many enthusiastic partners and the local community.

She said the collaborative work would share the "rich resource" of the Fraser-Mackintosh collection, and tell some "fascinating stories" from 19th Century Inverness and the Highlands.

She said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in the history of Inverness and the wider Highlands to become part of these unique and exciting events."