Monument record MHG57006 - WWI Naval Institute (Y.M.C.A.) - Invergordon

Summary

The site of the WWI Naval Institute (Y.M.C.A.) in Invergordon.

Location

Grid reference Centred NH 7088 6850 (27m by 54m)
Map sheet NH76NW
Geographical Area ROSS AND CROMARTY
Operational Area CAITHNESS SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
Civil Parish ROSSKEEN

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The site of the WWI Naval Institute (Y.M.C.A.) in Invergordon.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. A large Y.M.C.A. was built during WWI between Outram and Clyde Streets and fronting MacKay Street on the east. It opened in 1915, and could hold 2500 men. According to memories and research gathered by Park Primary in the 1990s, the ground floor housed a large dining hall and billiard room with two tables, a concert hall, a kitchen and sculleries, while the top floors were divided into more than 50 cubicles. Aerial photos show that the building had two internal courtyards. The front, facing the shore, had a balcony, and, in the 1930 aerial photo, the letters Y.M.C.A. appear on the roof above. It later became a private boarding house called 'The Grange'. It burnt down in 1978. <1> <2>

At least three versions of a WWI Naval plan survive, two in private collection which probably date to wartime, and one in the National Archives (MPI 1/641/4) which dates to 1921. On all three the buildings taken over or built by the Navy are shaded, but there are a few discrepancies between the plans. One of the plans in private collection has enlarged details, but only shows the Admiralty buildings and not others in the town. Valuation Rolls also indicate some buildings not shaded on our plans were taken over by the military. It is clear from contemporary photographs that the army built additional buildings, particularly north of Cromlet Drive. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Dataset: ARCH. 2015. Invergordon in World War I. Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). Digital. Site 341.
  • <2> Text/Publication/Monograph: Park School. 1994. Invergordon: the Great War 1914-1918. p.48.
  • <3> Text/Correspondence: Kruse, S.. 2016. Email regarding WWI Admiralty plans for Invergordon. Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). Yes. Digital. 19/01/2016.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2016 10:46AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the Heritage Portal maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.