Lairg Community Centre is situated on Main Street in Lairg in Central Sutherland. Converted from a drill hall in the 1970s Lairg Community Centre is run by Lairg Community Association, Board of Directors. Lairg Community Centre is a popular venue for local weddings, private parties and family functions and is a regular meeting place for local groups, clubs, committees and councils.

History

The building at the centre of Main Street dates back to the 19th Century. In 1889 the main hall was a drill hall and was signed over in trust for the sum of £30 by the Earl of Sutherland to the commanding officer of the First Sutherland Rifle Volunteer Corps. It retained its military connections through the 2 wars, and was the drill hall for the Territorial Army Association.

At the end of the Second World War the Lairg Welcome Home and Commemoration Fund, standing at £1,265, was available to be spent. A public meeting on 11 December 1945 resulted in the creation of The Lairg Community Centre Commemoration Committee whose purpose was to build a community centre. It seemed that the Drill Hall was considered a suitable site but at that time the Territorial Army were not wanting to sell the building.

It was to be a further 20 years before the committee, in the search for a suitable community centre site again asked if the
Drill Hall could be bought. The Territorial Army offered the Drill Hall and house to the committee for £2,200. A meting on 6th July 1967 agreed the purchase and a further meeting in September that year adopted the constitution of the Lairg Community Association who run the community centre to the present day.

Facilities

The Community Centre is the only facility of its type and scale within a 20 mile radius and it’s size is unique in Sutherland. The Centre is located in a prominent position in the middle of the village. It is fully accessible for wheelchair users and offers a wide range of facilities for community, social, educational and indoor sporting events.

The original building has undergone refurbishments and extensions, the main ones being in 19__ and 2003. These have resulted in a community facility that can cater for and adapt to many uses. The main hall is of a size for family functions and indoor markets, and boasts a stage with lighting system for plays and presentations. Beside the main hall is a full sized rifle range for
indoor shooting, a lovely link back to the first trustees. Three further smaller rooms, a kitchen and the usual facilities at the back and the front of the building enable multiple meetings to happen at the same time.

The largest feature of the Community Centre is the main hall which can seat 250 people. It incorporates a raised stage which is ideal for ceilidhs, concerts and plays/performance events. A hearing loop in the main hall ensures social inclusivity.

Equally well used are the two smaller meeting/function rooms, the Shin and Kinvonvie suites.

The fully fitted and modern kitchen is accessible to all parts of the Centre.

Spanning the middle of the Centre is an indoor shooting range which offers multipurpose use of this space.

Individual rooms or a combination of rooms can be booked, up to and including the whole building. For catered occasions there is crockery, cutlery, glassware, chair covers and table linen available, and the kitchen can be reserved for sole use. With a generous car park at the rear and its village centre location it is ideal for so many activities.

The building is also host to Highlife Highland Library, and has office space on the first floor. Further information on the various
rooms and facilities can be viewed in this website. Truly the centre of village life the Community Centre hosts Gala Week dances, artisan markets and Winterfest, which fills every room with festive cheer. It has been used for weddings and family functions, and public meetings and presentations from organisations such as wind farms and The Flow Country. Many local Lairg groups use it for their meetings, and activities like indoor bowls, Pilates and table tennis are held, as well, of course as the indoor rifle shooting.

We look forward to welcoming you to our lovely community centre soon.