A legacy of community and generosity
The Perrins Centre carries a remarkable history, deeply rooted in philanthropic spirit. It stands as a lasting monument to a family's dedication to the wellbeing of our Highland town.
The Perrins Centre carries a remarkable history, deeply rooted in philanthropic spirit. It stands as a lasting monument to a family's dedication to the wellbeing of our Highland town.
Opened in 1904, the building was funded by Dyson Perrins, the philanthropist best known globally for Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. Constructed at a cost of around £3,000, it represented a major investment in the residents of Alness.
Originally known as the Ardross Alness Club, the building was designed to be a sanctuary of learning and leisure. It was created to provide the local community with access to a library, a dedicated reading room, and a billiard room.
Dyson Perrins intended the centre to be more than just a social space. His vision was for the “amusement and relaxation of the young men after their day's work was done… and the providing of sound, wholesome instruction which might induce young men to spend their evenings in mental and moral improvement.”
Although based in Malvern, Worcestershire, the Perrins family purchased Ardross Castle in 1898. Their ties to Alness were so strong that they enjoyed unique travel privileges, including a private railway stop at their Malvern home and an exclusive waiting room right here at the Alness railway station.
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