Members of Inverness Fire Brigade with horse-drawn fire cart

ID: GB1796_1999_116_098 DESCRIPTION: Members of Inverness Fire Brigade with horse-drawn fire cart. A body known as the 'Inverness Fire Engine Establishment' was set up as early as 1819 by the North British Fire Insurance Company who provided a fire engine for the town. It was the only fire engine in the area at this time and its upkeep was maintained by public subscription from the town council, leading local merchants and several fire insurance companies. These annual subscriptions continued until 1850, when the Fire Establishment was placed under the management of the General Commissioners of the Police and Burgh, an elected body separate from the town council. The brigade was run on a part-time basis - firemen were paid a retaining fee but continued in their normal jobs. Some of the more notable fires which broke out in Inverness included a serious fire in Church Street in 1898, in premises owned by Mr Donald Groat. Shortly after that, the Music Hall in Union Street was burnt down at a cost of over £10,000. During World War I the brigade chartered a special train for the purpose of transporting the steam fire engine to a large fires at Dunrobin Castle and Rothiemurchus. The firemaster and his team were praised for their help and efficiency in dealing with these emergencies. In 1941 the National Fire Service was established, standardizing equipment and training, resulting in a more efficient service all round This image can be purchased. For further information about purchasing and prices please email the Highland Photographic Archive quoting the External ID. PLACENAME: Inverness OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS: Inverness and Bona PERIOD: 1890s; 1900s SOURCE: Inverness Museum and Art Gallery COLLECTION: Joseph Cook Collection Asset ID: 11127 KEYWORDS:

• Inverness
• fire brigades
• firefighters
• fire engines
• Dunrobin Castle
• Rothiemurchus