Macdonald Monument, Dingwall
Renovations are now being carried out on the Monument in the hope that it can be re-opened to the public in March 2026.
The following links to the local press have been made available in "News headlines" and are repeated here.
24th October Restoration work on Macdonald Monument, Dingwall
Restoration work is soon to commence on the Monument. Click here for Ross-shire Journal article.
28th October More information re Macdonald Monument, Dingwall
Link to Highland Council web page.
6th December Latest information re. Macdonald [sic] memorial tower in Dingwall
This link will take you to the latest information re the restoration of the monument. We are attempting to receive regular updates from the contractor.
Below is the response we received on 9th December from Jim Holden, Dingwall Community Development Company.
Graham Mackenzie (Ross and Cromarty District Councillor) suggested that I could assist you with photos of the renovation works on the Memorial. The works are being undertaken by Compass contractors for the Council in advance of Dingwall Community Development Company (DCDC) signing a lease to enable public access to the Memorial. We hope to start tours in March 2026, assuming the contract is complete.
Compass controls access to the site and while I understand their Site Manager is keeping a photographic record of the works, this is for contract management purposes and I guess will only be available to the Highland Council Project Manager. DCDC hasn’t seen any photos and we have not been granted access to the site (nor has the Ross-shire Journal!).
Works being undertaken are not dramatic- replacing the decking on the viewing platform, stonework repairs and some re- pointing, steelwork conservation internally and some cleaning/ painting, etc. A new ‘grill’ will be placed above the iron gates to prevent unauthorised access and some window repairs will be undertaken. The Council’s Lighting Dept has also replaced the stair lighting.
None of these works are particularly photogenic, but DCDC would welcome any member of Clan Donald to join a tour next year - details will be publicised next year, so that they can see the Memorial and the stunning views from the top.
DCDC is partnering with Dingwall Community Council to recruit volunteer guides; we would welcome interest from Clan members. As you might expect, DCDC does not have sufficient funds to provide the Information panels we have planned for the viewing platform, nor the display boards setting out the story of Sir Hector and the Memorial, so any donations for those purposes would be most welcome. DCDC’s bank is TSB, a/c 71763468, Sort Code 87-39-06.
