Commemorative Trowel
Grantown Museum

This trowel was used in a ceremony which marked the beginning of the building of the Victoria Christian institute for the young men and women of Grantown. It was completed in 1897 and funded by public subscription and a gift from Queen Victoria as part of her jubilee celebrations.

The trowel was given to Grantown’s landowner, the Dowager Countess Seafield who laid the foundation stone. She was among many wealthy Victorians who believed that social and sporting activities would benefit poorer people in society. The institute was designed to have a sports hall, tearoom and reading room.

The building is still in use today as a community centre.