People of Inverness in favour of preserving historic Old High Church
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Friends of the Old High, a group fighting to save the city church from potential commercial sale, took to the battle to the people at the Victorian Market.
On the back of a questionnaire, a stall at the market was set up on Saturday to allow people to find out more about the fight to save the historic building and give their views on possible ideas for new potential uses.
Jean Slater, secretary of the Friends of the Old High, said: "We are really pleased with how it went – we had a lot of interest and some very positive feedback, with most agreeing with our suggested ideas for the church."
Mrs Slater said that most people were mainly concerned with the preservation of the historical building, as well as the history it holds within it.
Much to the Friends' surprise, as well as locals the market event also attracted a number of holidaymakers.
"A lot of tourists we spoke to said they walked up to the church, due to it being a renowned landmark [in Inverness], but found it a great shame they couldn't get into it," she said.
"It's nice that visitors have their say, as the church has to be accessible to all, but I think Friends agree that saving the church can't be just for visitors' benefit, it needs to be a place that locals can utilise, visit and care for too."
Mrs Slater said the market event was also an opportunity for people to tell their stories about the church.
"It was great to hear people's own stories of the church – some recalled their parents being married there, or of their children's baptisms," she said.
"It's really quite nostalgic for people – [the church] means a lot."
Friends are now considering another possible public event and are also pulling together an official business plan.
They hope to start speaking with the Church of Scotland as owners sellers of the Old High Church.
"The fight's not over until it's over," Mrs Slater said. "We are remaining positive and hopeful. Being in the market solidified these feelings for us."
