East Church Cromarty

04/10/2024

We are absoloutely delighted to have won the British Museum’s Marsh Award for Museum Learning Scotland for our Cromarty Built on Slavery audio tour.

These awards are for an outstanding contribution to engaging museum audiences so particular thanks to Nicole Bontemps and David Alston for their brilliant presentation on this excellent piece of work. ⭐️

Listen to the audio tour on Smartify, Cromarty: Built on Slavery or follow it on your phone while you walk around the different sites in Cromarty.

26/08/2024

We're delighted that Francesca will be using the East Church for two Sound Baths on 4 and 11 September. The church acoustics will be perfect for the resonance of the gongs.

See poster for more details and booking. Francesca's email is [email protected]

19/08/2024

Graveyards are always fascinating places to learn more about, connecting you to individuals and past community life - and as this post on the Kirkmichael Trust site shows - many hidden stories can be explored through taking a closer look. Thanks to Jim Mackay for the post.

16/08/2024

This may well be of interest to East Church followers ARCH Highland always run excellent community courses and events.

We are launching an exciting new community project this Autumn to explore the presence of the Norwegians in the Highlands in WW2.

First stop is Contin and sessions will take place every Monday 7-9.30pm from 9th September 2024 at Contin Hall. If you or friends or family have memories or stories about the Norwegians in this area please come along. If you are just interested in finding out more you are also very welcome. The sessions are free and there will be tea/coffee and biscuits available.

We will also be hosting a few online Zoom sessions.

To register your interest and book please call 07788 835466 or email [email protected]

We are very grateful to SSE Renewables Fairburn Community Fund for funding this project.

01/07/2024

An incredible achievement by all the team involved in the Art and Flower show and Cromarty Open Gardens. Thank you from everyone involved in caring for the East Church - not least for making the church look beautiful - and many thanks for a wonderful contribution to the work of Historic Churches Scotland in caring for the church

16/06/2024

The post below, shows why prioritising nature in caring for the East Church's graveyard is so important.
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This poster, promoting the Restore Nature Now march makes a very powerful point in just a few short lines. You can see the original video on Chris Packham's instagram page https://linkin.bio/chrisgpackham

05/06/2024

Some more angles on the art and flowers on display in the church until 16.00 on Sunday 9th - not surprisingly they've been getting lots of compliments.

03/06/2024

I've never quite succeeded in capturing just how superb the art and flower display in the East Church is - and this year is no exception! The RNLI celebration theme creates dramatic colour combinations in the flower displays, and the props to support them are an impressive undertaking - and who can resist a yellow welly or blue boat . . .

The art created by everyone who takes part in Julie Price's art classes is very beautiful, and it is lovely to see everyone's art evolving and complementing each other.

For anyone who can I'd recommend getting along to the church to take a look for yourselves - open 11.00 - 16.00 until 9th June. There's also a late opening from 18.00 - 20.00 on Tuesday 4th June.

I'll definitely be returning for another look to appreciate it all . . .

01/06/2024

It's 1st June, the ferry is running again and the Art & Flowers display is now open in East Church, Cromarty for 8 days. It's a brilliant display - lots of yellow wellies so do come and visit..

30/05/2024

Tantalising photo. All the art and flower festival preparations are underway, ready for the opening on Saturday at 11.00.

WHAT are these two well kent ladies doing with yellow wellies at East Church today??? They part of the team of flower arranger who were busy setting up their displays ready for the opening of Art & Flowers that opens on Saturday and runs for 8 days. The floral display has a nautical theme to mark the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI. Do go and visit.

06/05/2024

Not too long to wait now . . .

26/04/2024

If you're passing the church, please call in! Not only is it a lovely place to visit - but you'd also be helping us.

Last weekend the fire extinguishers were tampered with, and we'd like to make sure it doesn't happen again, so if you're able to check in and see that all is well that would be a great help.

28/03/2024

Find out about Cromarty's unusual townscape

01/02/2024

The medieval fair at Portmahomack this Saturday sounds like a lot of fun, and a good opportunity to learn too . . . now if only I was under 16 yrs and could try out some Pictish graffiti !

Medieval fun and children's activities will be the order of the day when an Easter Ross community celebrates the Imbolc Festival.

23/01/2024

Busy behind the scenes of the museum . . .

Don't forget the East Church is open all year round - though make sure to have plenty of layers on in the winter!

Many thanks to all the volunteers who make this possible.

09/01/2024

2024 gets off to an exciting start for The Courthouse. We are delighted to welcome Eilidh Young as the new Manager and Curator.

In her first few weeks in the job Eilidh is planning to talk to as many people as she can. She will be meeting staff and volunteers as well as getting to grips with the complexities of managing our great museum. In her words: All ideas are good ideas, even if we can’t achieve them all. We will be putting some ambitious plans in place to give The Courthouse its rightful place in the community. Open to everyone, providing a place for history, culture, learning and above all fun.

19/10/2023

Halloween in the Courthouse ...

Dare you try the cells ...

Where do the witches hang out ...

Try the tricks and find the treats ...

09/10/2023

Wonderful connections between history and present . . . Tain and Brno.

25/09/2023

Join us on Friday 29th September 4:30 to 6:00 for chat, drinks and refreshments – the whole town and neigbourhood is invited!

See what happens in the museum, see what’s on display and get a peek at what isn’t on display! What would you like to see here? Can you help to make that happen? Museums always want to attract volunteers, but what skills do we need? What skills do you have to share? That and more ...

19/09/2023

The first History Society meeting of the 23/24 season! An exceptional programme of talks scheduled for this year. More details on the website www.cromartyhistory.scot

17/09/2023

Wanted: Museums manager / Curator

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and innovative person for a new post of Museum Manager / Curator, to support and drive forward the objectives of the museum. The post is critical for the successful transition of the museum into a more resilient and dynamic organisation. The post is for two years in the first instance and has been made possible with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Check out the details, including job description, person specification and application process. https://www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk/museum-manager-curator/

06/08/2023

More exciting developments: A Smartify way to visit the Courthouse!

The Courthouse is delighted to be one of six Highland museums taking part in a project with XpoNorth and Smartify – the world’s most popular museum app. Having a presence on Smartify gives the Courthouse a global audience, enables us to create curated tours and to showcase objects that aren’t normally on display. You can take a tour with authors David Alston and Nicole Bontemps exploring Cromarty’s historic links to the Transatlantic slave trade or browse through some of our collection dating from the bronze age to the twentyfirst century. You can be a virtual visitor to the Courthouse or use the app to enhance an in person visit.

“Highland history is now being showcased alongside a world-class
selection of museums, and is given an equal presence on the platform. The app really
champions small museums and values the stories they have to tell, and we’re excited about
sharing our heritage with the world.” (Freya Samuel, Highlanders’Museum)

24/07/2023

The arts Trust page is highlighting some of the crafts that will be on show and for sale at their summer fair - on 5 and 6 August https://www.facebook.com/CromartyArtsTrust

18/07/2023

A huge thanks too from the East Church. Evelyn, Julie and their teams create stunning flower and art displays for the church every year.

They, everyone who opens their gardens, and help out in many other ways make a significant contribution to Cromarty community organisations and charities through their hard work and talents.

Well done Cromarty - thank you everyone

17/07/2023

A talk for Cromarty History Society. Philip Paris will be talking about Scottish Witchcraft - debunking myths and misconceptions.

At Victoria Hall on Tuesday 25 July, starting at 7.00 p.m.

A local author will look to tackle the myths of the 'witch trial craze' that gripped Scotland over centuries.