ARCADES PROJECT

The arcades in Inverness have always been under the same roof as the city’s covered market. In the arcade sections, the ceiling and iron framework have retained their original look (though the original building was completely destroyed by fire in 1889 so although the first arcade dates from 1860, these buildings were opened in 1890 – and unlike many arcades in the UK, the ceiling is mainly of wood, with iron supports, and windows to the side).

Some of the shop windows also look vintage, either in the way of Finkelstein’s watchmakers (now William Morrison’s which has been at the market end of the arcade since 1901), and the porthole windows above the Café de Paulo in Queensgate Arcade. In 2023, the Arcade Barbers tells us that this is still considered an arcade by many, or certainly was when they first opened. Other shops today have a more modern feel, like the arty gift shop and jewellery at Aerternum.

The whole building has now been rebranded as the Victorian Market, with a revamped central section, which is now a thriving food hall, especially at the weekends.

My favourite shop today

William Morrison jeweller’s has been in the arcade since 1901, with Finkelstein’s name still in the window from the original Polish immigrant family who started this business. This is a beautiful shop, so proud of their heritage and history that if you show an interest they will produce a history book about Inverness which also gives them a mention. And out the back, spot the vintage wall clock with Morrison’s name on it, but it’s NOT for sale.

My pick of the arcade’s past

In 1925 three soldiers from the Cameron Highlanders were arrested around midnight when they had broken into a clothes shop in the arcade. One of the men tried to escape in bare feet but was eventually caught by the policeman; the other two were found later, still in the shop and dressed up in totally new clothes. They had apparently got tired of army life and wanted the clothes to help them escape and head south.

A fire broke out in Logan’s music shop in Queensgate Arcade in 1931, spreading to two other shops by the time the fire brigade got it under control. They did, however, manage to stop it spreading to the 28 other shops in the arcade. By the time of the fire, David Logan had already died, but his wife continued to run the shop until her own passing five years later. Mrs Logan (Nee Kate McLernan) was a talented pianist, who also conducted a band which played at major society events like the Highland Ball in Edinburgh and the Royal Caledonian Ball in London. She even appeared in BBC radio broadcasts in the 1930s.

There was drama in the arcade one morning in 1947 when a heifer being driven through the town broke free and charged through the Market Arcade, smashing the butcher’s shop window in the process…

This arcade in films or books

I didn’t find any reference to these Inverness arcades in any movies or novels, though Bill Bryson did give the building a thumbs up (unlike other parts of Inverness) in his Notes from a Small Island

What’s your favourite shop in the arcade today?

What memories do you have of visits in years gone by?

Have you got any good stories to add on the past of this arcade?

Have you seen Inverness Arcades in any other film or book?

Is there a website for this arcade?

There is a dedicated website for the Victorian Market complex in Inverness. Click the link to view.