Gallery breathes new life into mortuary
A NEWLY-OPENED art gallery has resurrected a former mortuary situated in the middle of scenic Glen Nevis.
Gallery in the Glen officially opened last Friday, with the help of Lochaber MP Ian Blackford, to unveil the completely revamped morgue which has now begun life as an art studio and exhibition space.
The former mortuary was purchased recently by the owners of Gallery in the Fort, Gillian Sloan and Gwyn Moses, which has a more orthodox premises on Fort William High Street.
After working out some legal details of the purchase, the pair are pleased to finally have the gallery refurbished and ready to go.
Speaking about the opening of the new Glen Nevis gallery, Mr Moses said: ‘The former mortuary has been extensively refurbished, with much of the work done by local Grant Wallace of Kando construction.
‘It is now opening as a studio and art gallery, run and managed by Lindsey Jarrett, a Lochaber artist who has returned to the area following time spent as a police inspector in the south of England.’
Lindsey, who was unable to attend the opening, is a modern artist who paints mostly in acrylics, but also in mixed media.
The former mortuary in Glen Nevis was built in the 1960s to cope with the increasing population of Fort William. However, following the increase in mortuary facilities in the Belford Hospital, it was never fully utilised.
It was then occasionally used by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team for casualties, but remained under-used. A local undertaker leased the property for a few years before the council decided to sell the property.
MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Ian Blackford said: ‘The new gallery looks great, so bright and cheerful, and is clearly a complete transformation from the building’s previous use. It will be a great venue for local artists to display their work and be a great chance for visitors to take a real piece of Lochaber away with them.
‘I was sorry that Lindsey was unable to be there, but delighted to perform the opening ceremony. With the great local art on display, I wish her and the new business well.’