The Muir Hub
Attribution: not recorded or unknown
The Muir Hub
Saturday 21 January 2017 saw the fulfilment of a dream by Muir of Ord residents with the opening of The MuirHub – a transformed section of the former Tarradale Primary School into a community space, including a cafe, auditorium with cinema-style seating and meeting space available for private hire or for use by local groups. A section of the building will show the heritage of the village and surrounding area.
In recent years the Hub Development Group has become conscious of the increase in house building in the village and the consequent need to have a focal point to complement the village hall and other amenities associated with the community. The old school in the village square was determined as the ideal site.
Fund-raising for such a venture is never easy, but with determination the necessary finance was raised through a £1 million lottery award and contributions from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council. With Highland Council assistance, additional training to local young folk via the Calman Trust will assist them to run the Artysans Cafe in The Muir Hub, a scheme similar to the popular Cafe Artysans in Inverness.
With the prospect of a permanent home for their interests, new groups have been formed, such as Muir Movies, a community cinema group looking forward to screening films in the auditorium where there is retractable cinema-style seating for up to 44 people. This area can also be used for concerts, parties and other events.
A new youth group, the Muir of Ord Youth Arts Hub, has been supported by Eden Court Theatre and has already run introductory workshops. Also, the local heritage group is researching the history of the old school.
Attribution: RCHS
The information which follows is taken from a leaflet produced by the Muir of Ord Hall and Facilities Company, with permission of Hannah Macsween, Community Development Manager.
Let's go on a tour
From the Square you enter a vibrant welcoming area where you can explore stories about the history of Muir of Ord, browse retail displays of locally crafted art and gifts, find out about sources of information, advice and support – and keep up to date with local activities, campaigns and happenings.
From there we go in to the Old School Hall, a modern, versatile space equipped with modular stage and rectractable seating. The room also has a large cinema screen and high quality sound systems. This room is truly a milti-space which can be used for activities, gatherings, classes, meetings, demonstrations and exhibitions.
Take the lift or climb the stairs to the Tarradale Room – a bright coomb-ceilinged room equipped with chairs and modular tables, tea and coffee making facilities and state of the art meeting facilities.
It is a flexible space that could be used in a variety of ways for meetings, social gatherings, interviews, training or support sessions or anything else you can think of.
Attribution: 3 photos by RCHS
Room layouts and capacity:
Theatre style – 36
Boardroom style – 16
Classroom style – 24
Returning to the ground floor, be sure to visit Cafe Artysans at The Hub run by the Calman Trust, a social enterprise providing training for local young people.
Enjoy the delicious home-baked scones and cakes, light meals, and a range of speciality teas and coffees whilst enjoying the views of the village from this stunning glass fronted cafe.
The Tarradale Room Attribution: RCHS
Additional Features
The Muir Hub is centrally located in the village and is near both the train station and bus services. There is also a car park outside.
The building is accessible with induction loops in both meeting rooms.
WiFi is available throughout the building.
Catering and refreshment facilities are available for your meetings and events.
Attribution: RCHS
At the heart of the village
The Muir Hub is funded by Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The project has involved the community taking over ownership and the building and restoring and developing this valued community asset into a community hub.
We regularly arrange activities, music, art and entertainment shows so please check our website – https://muiroford.org.uk – or visit us to find out what’s on.
The Muir Hub is managed by the Muir of Ord Hall and Facilities Company, Charity No SCO44689.
Attribution: unknown
