Presentation Trowel and Mallet
Cromarty Courthouse Museum

The custom of using a special commemorative trowel, usually made in gold or silver, was established near the start of the nineteenth century. A beautifully decorative object, a trowel was used at the ceremonial laying of a foundation stone, an important symbolic gesture usually done by a person of significance in the community.

In 1887, the Victoria Hall in Cromarty was built and local dignitaries were invited to a ceremony to lay the foundation stone. This presentation trowel and mallet were given to Lady Ross of Cromarty House, who laid the stone, to commemorate the event.

The original purpose of the Victoria Hall was to be the drill hall for the Artillery Volunteers (you can explore the Artillery Volunteers Challenge Cup on this site!). It is now Cromarty’s main public hall.