Friends group takes battle to save Old High Church in Inverness to the people
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Friends of the Old High Church are set to take their fight to save the Inverness landmark to the public with a chance for people to give their views face to face at the Victorian Market.
The group launched an online survey last month asking people what they would like to see become of the building which has been out up for sale by the Church of Scotland.
They now want to give even more people the chance to have their say.
The church is on the market for £150,000 and the Friends of the Old High believe crowdfunding is their first best step to save their beloved church from being sold to a private individual or a commercial enterprise.
Their efforts have so far raised just over £8000. They hope by engaging with the public face-to-face they will increase awareness of their campaign.
Local support is vital, they said, as the more interest they can show exists within the community the easier to access more sustainable government support.
More fundraising events are planned.
The Friends' main objective is to preserve the building in all its beauty and long standing history.
While the online survey is still ongoing, Friends of the Old High said most people who have responded so far are keen on the idea of using the church as a small café and shop, which they said "would keep the church's alterations to a minimum."
The Friends also believe the church has the potential to be a hub for all local historical and cultural documentation, including the church's own Cameron Highlander memorials and artefacts.
This Saturday the group will be at the Victorian Market from 10am-4pm to encourage local support, donations and suggestions as to what the Church could be used for, with organisers hoping it will give them the opportunity "to gain knowledge of what the people want."
