Dingwall gallery shop revamp rolls back the years; Owner aims to offer Ross residents 'an experience'; 'Lots to pull people into Dingwall'
GEARING up for a High Street opening has been a case of the good, the bad and the ugly for the latest business to show faith in Ross-shire's county town.
Reinventing the former Dewar & Hay chemist shop at 48 High Street in Dingwall into Alchemist Gallery has been a challenging labour of love for owners Hazel and Alan Gordon, who have unearthed 173 years of history during the revamp.
Ms Gordon said: "There have been people who worked here decades ago who have popped in and asked if some particular feature is new. It has obviously been refitted many times since it was first opened and we have been finding features that perhaps haven't seen the light of day in years."
She added: "As is inevitable with working buildings of this age, the good, the bad and ugly has happened to it over the years. We have decided to do do our best to keep and add to what was good, sort out the bad and make the ugly more presentable. 173 years is a fair history and we hope our efforts will stand this lovely old shop in good stead for many more years to come.”
She said: "There are lots of things to pull people into Dingwall. Not many towns these days can boast four banks, for starters! There's a huge amount of services. I don't want this just to be a shop. I'm looking to offer people an experience."
As well as showcasing a range of jewellery, Scottish furniture, glass, ceramics, cards, prints and textile art, the gallery will exhibit a wide range of work by artists – the first from Carole Saxon, formerly of Orkney but now based in Maryburgh.
