University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) time capsule unearthed in Inverness
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Proof of how fast life is moving these days is evident in a piece of recent Highland history that has now been brought back into the light.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) executive office is getting set to move from its current base by the River Ness in Inverness, next to the Royal Northern Infirmary.
As part of the move to the Inverness Campus it has unearthed a time capsule buried at the riverside site in 2004, when it first moved in there.
Despite its burial being a relatively brief 19 years some of the newly revealed items are bound to sound positively antique to many youngsters.
The items were contributed by the university’s partner colleges, aimed at reflecting life in their local areas and the courses they offered, and include a floppy disc from UHI Argyll and an audio cassette recording from the UHI Highland Theological College based in Dingwall.
In these days of constant streaming even the handful of CDs also forming part of the haul will likely seem out of date to many.
The former Inverness College’s – now UHI Inverness – contributions included a Gaelic book, and a book on salmon management as well as a tenon saw and a plane from its woodworking classes.
For staff, the items are a fascinating reflection of the journey the institution itself has been on over the past two decades.
Interim principal and vice-chancellor Vicki Nairn said: “The contents of the capsule is a real snapshot of UHI in 2004. Items like the floppy disc and audio cassette show how technology has always been an integral part of what we do, but they also show how much things have moved on in the digital age.
“The contents also illustrate how much UHI has developed in this time. Back then, we had around 100 higher education courses and around 5000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. We now have over 36,000 students on a range of college and university courses and are proud of our distinctive curriculum and research.
“It’s lovely to see a representation of each partner in the capsule, from a Shetland jumper to some Speyside whisky. It’s a reminder of our enduring links with our regions and our mission to have a transformational impact on our impact on their people, communities and economies.”
For the university’s former corporate services manager, Allan Bransbury, the capsule’s unearthing is also a happy reminder of the move to the riverside.
“It was a bit of a challenge to ensure the building was ready as it had been empty for some time,” he said. “The cabling was one of the most complex parts, but it was vital to connect us to our other sites across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.”
He added: “It’s been fascinating to revisit the items we included in the capsule from that time.
“Having been a member of the original UHI project team created in 1992, I have been very interested to follow the development of UHI and was delighted to be part of the celebrations when it achieved full university status in 2011. It will be interesting to see the next chapter in the building’s history and I wish the UHI team all the best for the move to Inverness Campus.”
UHI’s executive office staff moved to a hybrid working model last year to provide greater flexibility for staff members.
As well as allowing it to work more closely alongside students it is hoped the move to Inverness Campus this year will also enhance links with strategic partners.
