A 1923 'time capsule' has been uncovered during renovation works in Inverness.

Work being carried out on Inverness steeple has revealed a little bit of Scottish history, as contractor workers found a package of old documents nearly one hundred years old.

The documents were passed to High Life Highland's museum and archives staff.

Jeanette Pearson, Conservation Officer with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery said: "The outer wrapping was dark faced (possibly waxed) paper, tied with sisal string with red parcel wax on one of the knots."

Documents found wrapped within the parcel include an Inverness Courier newspaper dated 10 April 1923 and various calling cards, including those belonging to the 1923 Provost of Inverness David Petrie and William Bain, a Town Council Officer who gathered the signatures of the British cabinet when it was held in Inverness in 1921.


A League of Nations’ Union Members Card was also found, as was the calling card of C. Kippen of Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow, who the Highland Council believes may have been a contractor working on the Steeple in 1923.

Provost of Inverness Alex Graham, said: "This package was left in 1923 when the Council carried out major repairs to the Steeple, at a cost of £340! That would have been a considerable sum in those days, and the Inverness Courier reported that the Council had "reluctantly decided work should go on."

The Inverness Steeple renovations works, estimated at £550,000 are being funded by Inverness Common Good Fund and Historic Scotland. The refurbishments include stone-masonry and repairs to the clock face, bell mechanisms and weather vane on the tower.

(IT)