Message from the Centre Manager – January 2026

Happy New Year! We ended 2025 with good momentum following our Festive Fun Day where we managed to raise over £600 during a great day of wreath-making and festive cheer. Of course this would not have been possible without the hard work of our volunteers and support of all who attended.

Now, as we look towards this coming year there is a sense of opportunity and development around TDC. Having received funding to carry out building surveys at the end of last year we can now plan a route forwards in maintaining and even improving our physical space. We are also looking towards future-proofing by taking part in a Climate and Nature Planning workshop to enable us to move forwards while considering the surrounding environment – both physically and in our interpretation of local heritage. 

Outwith strategic forward-planning we also have our usual programme of monthly events on the go. To kick off the 2026 schedule we have Dr Jim Mackay, Chair of the Kirkmichael Trust, giving a talk on the work he and our own Jim Ritchie have done to conduct a detailed survey of grave slabs and tablestones in our churchyard. As some will have seen, both Jims have been working hard for months in the graveyard in all weathers to create a detailed record of long-forgotten grave slabs. Jim Mackay is well-known for being an engaging speaker so this promises to be an entertaining and informative evening. Indeed, it will be interesting to hear some of their many finds dating from the 1600s to 1800s, as well as gain an insight into the lives of some of the families recorded on the grave stones. This will be a brilliant chance to delve deeper into Portmahomack’s history over centuries past and the many stories contained within our own churchyard. Tickets for the talk are available here: https://buytickets.at/tarbatdiscoverycentre/1994363.

So, 2026 looks to be a promising year full of opportunities to learn and grow for us all. Keep an eye on our social media and upcoming events page for scheduled talks and activities!