First use of new Armadale Hall is as a vaccination centre
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For a tiny Sutherland community, it was truly a big moment.
The new build Armadale Hall, the completion of which had been delayed by the pandemic, was officially opened last Thursday.
Christopher and Margaret Mackay, who are the oldest local residents, performed the honours by pulling on a ribbon to signify the opening.
However, Mr and Mrs Mackay were not there just for the occasion – they were also at the hall to be given a Covid-19 vaccination.
The first use the new building is being put to is as a vaccination centre for Armadale Medical Pracice.
Hall management committee chairwoman Joyce Campbell said it was a “fitting way to get started”.
The new building replaces the old corrugated-iron roofed Armadale Hall, which dated back to the 1920s. Although much loved by the community, the old hall was no longer fit for purpose.
It was dismantled at the start of last year and work to build a replacement began. However the project had to be put on hold because of the coronavirus crisis.
After a three month break, construction restarted
The project has been made possible thanks to around £450,000 funding secured from SSE Strathy North Community Fund, Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, LEADER, the Robertson Trust and local donations.
Armadale residents have been given a virtual tour of the new hall with a video posted on its Facebook page.
Mrs Campbell said on the video: “All in all it has come together really well. I hope it is not long until you can all come and join us for a good ceilidh and a good night out when coronavirus is past.”
She thanked the contractors, the hall committee and volunteers for all their hard work.
“Thank you all, she said. “This would not have happened without you all pulling together and making a huge effort.”
WATCH: Virtual tour gives look round newly built Sutherland hall
