Queen Mary's House, Inverness

Queen Mary's House, Inverness

ID: QZP40_273369_017 DESCRIPTION: This drawing of Queen Mary's House in Inverness is taken from 'Old Inverness' by Pierre Delavault (published in 1903). The description which accompanies this image explains that Queen Mary's House stood at the corner of Bridge Street, facing the River Ness. Between it and the river used to stand 'Castle Tolmie' which was pulled down when the suspension bridge was built in 1852. Queen Mary's house owes its name to the tradition that Mary, Queen of Scots, lodged there during a visit in 1562. In 1787, alterations and repairs were carried out by the owner, William Inglis of Kingsmills. At that time, the building was occupied by Messrs Fraser, Wilson & Co, Wine Merchants. The business was bought over by a succession of different wine merchants, as the thickness of the old walls produced an evenness of temperature very favourable to the storage of wine. In 1967, when 'Old Inverness' was published, Queen Mary's House was under threat of demolition. It was, in fact, pulled down in 1968 to make way for the offices of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, although the cellars were retained. PLACENAME: Inverness OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS: Inverness and Bona CREATOR (AV): Pierre Delavault DATE OF IMAGE: 1903 SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Old Inverness by Pierre Delavault (1903) Asset ID: 31772 KEYWORDS: