Tain Picture House
19 Tower Street,
Tain,
IV19 1AB
19 Tower Street,
Tain,
IV19 1AB
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: A.B. King, Caledonian Associated Cinemas Ltd.
Firms: Andrew Maitland & Sons
Styles: Renaissance Revival
Previous Names: Town Hall Cinema, Picture Palace
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Built as a Town Hall in 1874-76,in a Renaissance style. The architect was Andrew Maitland and Sons.
It became the Town Hall Cinema in the 1920’s and the proscenium was 17 feet wide. This name continued until by 1937, when it was re-named Picture Palace, with films booked by A.B. King. In 1939 it was the Picture House, bookings still by A.B. King. In 1954 it was being operated by Caledonian Associated Cinemas Ltd. and CinemaScope was installed, the proscenium was now 21 feet wide, perhaps brought forward of the original one.
The Picture House had closed in 1970 and was offered ‘For Sale’. There were efforts in recent years by the Tain Picture House Restoration Trust to restore the building, but these seem to have stalled and building stood vacant. Renovation funded by Historic Scotland began by November 2021 and it continues in 2025.
On 29th October 1982, Historic Scotland designated the Picture House a Grade B Listed building.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Exterior photograph here:
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This YouTube video includes footage taken inside of what the Picture House.
The Tain Picture house closed in 1970. My photo here of a poster for February 1969 that films during the year were now only shown on Saturday evenings.