Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Inverness Townscape Heritage Project lockdown quizzes. We hope they have provided some entertainment over the past few weeks and helped you discover some interesting facts about our city.
Here are the questions and answers for part two…
Question one
Academy Street was once home to three cinemas. The Empire was first to open in 1912, followed by La Scala in 1913.
A third cinema opened in 1929. Every Christmas this cinema was turned into a winter wonderland with manager, Jimmy Nairn (pictured below), painting the walls with cartoon characters. But can you tell us the name of this cinema?
Answer: The Playhouse
Question two
Macrae & Dick was established around 1878, providing horses and horse-drawn vehicle hire to Invernessians and visitors.
Its base on Academy Street meant that the business could expand as tourists began to arrive from the railway, providing excursions to places like the Caledonian Canal and Culloden Battlefield.
But can you name the other car dealership that was once located on Academy Street?
Answer: SMT or Scottish Motor Traction Company
Question three
The popular Burnett’s Inverness Bakery Ltd operated from 1897, moving to 44-46 Academy Street in 1922. The building was well-equipped with two bakeries, a dining room, tearoom, coffee room and smoke room.
But can you name the Burnett family descendant who opened his own bakery in 1979?
Answer: Harry Gow
Question four
Dorando’s Cafe (pictured below) was opened by Renato Turriani on his return to Inverness after World War I. It was the last remaining Italian cafe on Academy Street, finally closing its doors in 1993.
Can you tell us the name of another once popular Italian cafe on Academy Street?
Answer: Locarno Café
Question five
The Royal Highland Hotel, formerly known as the Station Hotel, was designed by architect and engineer, Joseph Mitchell, for the opening of the railway in 1855.
Can you name the company that purchased the hotel in 1876?
Answer: Highland Railway Company
Question six
The building behind 19 Academy Street, next to Inverness Victorian Market, was used as a studio by a number of photographers, including the internationally renowned, award-winning Andrew Paterson.
Can you name the organisation that is now in residence at 19 Academy Street?
Answer: Mikeysline and The Hive
Question seven
The below photo was taken on Academy Street in August 1914; the day after World War I was declared. One of the soldiers pictured was later fictionalised in a novel by Josephine Tey.
Can you name this novel?
Answer: Kif
Question eight
And we’re returning to the much-loved La Scala cinema.
Can you name the film that premiered at La Scala in 1996? Bonus point if you can name one of the actors who starred in the film.
Answer: Loch Ness
Bonus point answer: Ted Danson or Joely Richardson
How did you do? Why not test your friends and family and let us know your score out of nine!
You can find out more about the history of Academy Street and Inverness by visiting the Digital Heritage Trail at https://academyst.highlandexplore.scot/
