North Kessock announced as winning school for Inverness Castle time capsule
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North Kessock Primary School has today been announced as the winner of the time capsule project for Inverness Castle.
All primary schools in the Highlands were invited to identify items they believed to be special about the area, that will be placed in a time capsule which will suspended for over 50 years in the well within Inverness Castle.
The five items submitted by North Kessock Primary School were:
- A personal diary from home-schooling during the Covid lockdown, including newspaper clippings
- A ribbon with Scots writing and the date to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III
- A selection of coins in use in 2023, as well as a £5 Scottish note
- A photograph of North Kessock and Inverness from the air including diesel/ petrol cars
- An iPhone
Representatives of the winning school will be invited to attend the suspension of the time capsule in the well in Inverness Castle.
As well as the items proposed by North Kessock Primary School, there were five additional items that were popular proposals by several schools across the area, and these will also be represented within a second time capsule.
These include: Nessie; a dream ring from Harry Gows; logos of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County football clubs; a diary entry of a Highland pupil as they welcomed a young person from Ukraine to their school; and selected newspaper clippings from the newspapers covering the Highlands.
Councillor Ian Brown, leader of Inverness City and Area and co-chairman of the Inverness Castle Project Delivery Group, said: “We were delighted by the response from schools across the area for the time capsule project and it really was inspirational to see the wide-ranging ideas from our
younger generation about what they believe is special about the Highlands.
"Although there could only be one winning school, we were very pleased to recognise five additional items that were common to many of the other schools’ submissions.
"We can only imagine the excitement there will be in 50 years time when perhaps some of those involved today will be able to tell the stories of the items included in the time capsule today – just as Inverness Castle will share the story of the Highlands past, present and future when it opens in two years time as a visitor experience.”
High Life Highland chairman, Mark Tate, said: “It has been so interesting to hear the suggestions of our Highland young people about the significant items they would like to see included in the time capsule – and great to know that one day a new generation will learn about what life was like in the Highlands by the story attached to each item.
"By giving all the schools an opportunity to participate, and including the additional items, the time capsule itself will become part of the story of the Inverness Castle Experience when it opens in two years time.”
Kate Lackie, interim chief executive of The Highland Council, said: “Being a member of the panel to decide the winning entry was a real pleasure – and quite a challenge too, with there being so many interesting ideas from schools across the Highland area. The decision to extend the capsule to include ten items reflected the hard work, thought and creative approach of the young people behind every single entry.
"On behalf of the panel, thank you to each and every one of you for your contributions that will add another layer of local interest to the Inverness Castle Experience when it opens in 2025 – and you will all need to remember to come back in 50 years time when the capsule will be opened!”
Allan Clow, managing director, Bancon Construction, said: “We have been delighted to support and facilitate the time capsule project for the Inverness Castle Experience. It has been especially exciting to be involved with schools from across the Highland area as they gave their thoughts on what might be included.”
