King Charles has officially opened the £5 million Old Clyne School community heritage hub in Brora.
Around 300 people turned out to welcome the King, who flew to Brora by helicopter from the Castle of Mey in Caithness, where he is currently staying.
King Charles stopped to chat to members of the public. Picture: Peter Jolly
His burgundy helicopter landed at around 11am on Wednesday, August 6, in a field next to the hub at the northern end of the village.
His Royal Highness wore the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force, as he was due to fly on to RAF Lossiemouth.
After his visit to Brora, King Charles flew, who was wearing the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Froce, flew on to RAF Lossiemouth. Picture: Peter Jolly.King Charles arrived at Brora and departed by helicopter. Picture: Peter Jolly
As the King disembarked, Colin Simpson, senior pipe major of the British Army and a Brora native, played a selection of tunes, including The Bonnie Lass o’ Fyvie, a royal favourite.
Waiting to greet him were Lord Lieutenant Patrick Marriott, Deputy Lieutenant Dawn McKenzie, the former head teacher of Brora Primary School, and Dr Nick Lindsay, chairman of Clyne Heritage Society, the organisation behind the ambitious Old Clyne School project.
King Charles with Lord Lieutenant Patrick Marriott and Deputy Lieutenant Dawn McKenzie. Picture: Peter JollyKing Charles who was in the village of Brora to open the new heritage centre, (Brora Highland Scotland)….pic Peter Jolly
Work on transforming the historic but dilapidated Old Clyne School, a C-listed building, into a modern and vibrant heritage hub began in April last year.
The centre will open in phases, with the café and retail space expected to begin operating on August 18, subject to work being completed. The museum part of the building is set in the autumn.
King Charles officially opened the Old Clyne School community heritage hub. Picture: Peter Jolly
On his way into the centre, King Charles stopped to chat with several members of the public in the front row of the crowd, some of whom were waving Union Jacks.
Rosie Mackay and Avery Floydd, who are due to start primary one after the summer holidays, presented him with a posy of flowers.
Local florist Faye Macleod of Maisie’s Daisies made the posy, which included sweet peas — the King’s favourite flower.
The King’s aide said the flowers would be placed on his desk.
His Royal Highness then met various groups, including Sutherland MP Jamie Stone, MSP Maree Todd and East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Jim McGillivray. He also met Jonathan Brett-Young, Shinness, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
Inside the renovated building, the royal was introduced to heritage society volunteers, staff, and board members, as well as others with historical connections to the building.
Steven Oglesby, head chef of the centre’s café, Clyne Kitchen, presented him with a hamper containing Brora Brick shortbread, Brora coal truffles and Hunters Mill carrot cake.
Local resident Kathleen Cunningham presented the King, a keen angler, with a box of salmon flies.
The King emerged from the hub to unveil a commemorative plaque, view the striking, 5m-high sculpture of a Megan Boyd fly installed in the outdoor patio area, and meet its creator, Jon Asanga.
Mr Asanga explained that the sculpture, which is made up of hundreds of stainless steel rods, depicts a fly called the Megan Boyd, which is one of the most colourful and complex creations of its namesake.
He said that he had received huge community support in creating the sculpture, including the offers of workshop facilities.
“It is about time something was put up to commemorate Megan Boyd. It is a tribute to her memory, and it is also about community, not about making sculptures, it is about building pride.”
King Charles climbed back aboard the helicopter and left around 11.42pm
Dr Nick Lindsay, the delighted chairman of the heritage society, said that the royal visit could not have gone better.
He said: ‘For a start, the weather was good, especially considering what Monday was like. When I arrived at 6:30 am this morning, it was drizzling, but it just got better and better.’
Everything went to plan, and I was surprised at the turnout. Ten minutes before the start, I thought we could do with more people, but then they arrived.”
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