Information
The Victoria Hall was built in 1887 AD following the suggestion of the Prince of Wales that an Imperial Institute should be formed in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. The Burgh Council enthusiastically promoted a £5,223 scheme to build a public hall and name it after the Queen.
The original architects responsible for the design of the Victoria Hall were J and RS Ingram and the community embraced their new facility.
The halls were then altered and renovated in 1899 AD during the 62nd year of Queen Victoria’s reign and the interior of the hall was renovated again by the gift of Provost Andrew Buchanan J.P in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of King George the Fifth in 1935.
During the two wars, the Victoria halls were used for training, education and propaganda. In commemoration of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, three cherry trees were planted in front of the Halls in 1985. The trees are still flourishing today and provide a wonderful frontage to the Halls with their pale pink blossom in the springtime.
In more recent times, Argyll & Bute Council once again refurbished the Hall. A new dance floor was installed and a full refurbishment of the venue was undertaken in 1998.
In the long life of the Victoria Hall, there has only been one recorded Royal visit and this took place on 24th July 2002, when the Princess Royal renamed room 4 “The Golden Jubilee Room” in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
