Royal Four Towns Hall

Right in the centre of Hightae, the Royal Four Towns Hall has been the beating heart of community life for Hightae, Heck, Greenhill and Smallholm since it opened in 1910. It’s where locals gather for everything from craft mornings and country dancing to the annual Show & Gala, quiz nights and Christmas lights switch-on.

Royal Four Towns Hall, Hightae

History of the Hall

The Royal Four Towns Hall was built in 1910. The local community raised the funds themselves, with a very generous donation from Andrew Carnegie – the Scottish-born steel magnate and philanthropist who funded hundreds of public buildings across Britain. The hall quickly became the central meeting place for the four villages and has kept that role for well over a century.

Who owns it and who runs it?

The hall belongs to the residents of the Royal Four Towns. Day-to-day management is handled by the Royal Four Towns Hall Association – a volunteer committee of local people who keep the building in good shape and organise events. The Association is completely separate from the Community Council, though the two groups work closely together.

Facilities

The hall has a modern kitchen, good heating and is fully accessible. It works equally well for a quiet coffee morning or a lively party.

Thanks to grants from Minsca and Harestanes Wind Farms the Hall now has a new boiler and extra loft insulation – it’s warmer and cheaper to run than ever.

What the Hall is used for

Local groups run a busy programme of regular activities. New faces and visitors are always made very welcome. Here’s what’s normally on:

Day Time Activity Notes
Mondays Evening Scottish Women’s Institute 1st Monday Sept–April
Tuesdays Afternoon Craft Group (Days) 2nd & 4th in month
Tuesdays Afternoon Golden Years Club 3rd in month Sept–April
Tuesdays Evening Scottish Country Dancing Weekly Oct–March
Tuesdays Evening Tai Chi Weekly Sept–April
Wednesdays Morning Hightae Artists Group Weekly
Wednesdays Evening Craft Group (Evenings) 1st & 3rd in month
Thursdays Morning Play Group During term time
Thursdays Evening Scottish Old Time Dancing Weekly Oct–March
Fridays Morning Coffee Stop & Book Exchange Last Friday of the month

For the latest one-off events, dances, craft fairs and the annual Show & Gala check the RFT Hall Facebook page or the noticeboards in the four villages.

The hall also hosts the annual Show & Gala, craft fairs, fund-raising quiz nights, dances, theatre performances, and the Christmas lights switch-on with a carol concert. It’s used as the local polling station at election time, the RFT Community Council holds its meetings here, the primary school uses it for PE in winter, and Annandale Young Farmers practise their pantomime in the colder months.

How to book the Hall

The hall is available for hire by the public for parties, meetings, classes, family events – you name it. Residents of the Royal Four Towns get a discounted hourly rate.

Booking Secretary

Teresa McColm

01387 810702

rfthall.bookings@gmail.com

For the latest events and photos, have a look at the RFT Hall Association Facebook page.

50/50 Club

£1 per month – half the takings go straight back to the Hall. Tickets available from committee members or just ask at any coffee morning.

Frequently asked questions

Who can hire the hall? +
Anyone – locals and visitors alike. Royal Four Towns residents pay a lower hourly rate.
Is there a kitchen? +
Yes – a modern kitchen is available for use when you hire the hall.
How do I find out what’s on? +
Check the noticeboards in the villages or the RFT Hall Facebook page.
Has the hall got WiFi? +
Yes, the hall has Internet access with free WiFi for visitors. Login details can be found inside the hall.
Does the Community Council run the hall? +
No – the hall is run by its own volunteer Hall Association. The Community Council just uses it for its meetings.

Find us

The Royal Four Towns Hall is on School Road in Hightae, Lockerbie DG11 1JN.

Get involved

Fancy joining one of the regular groups, helping run the 50/50 Club, or volunteering on the Hall Association committee? Just turn up at an event or get in touch with Teresa – everyone is made very welcome.