£1m spruce-up for historic buildings

Published on Friday 1 July 2011 16:33

THE oldest castle in the care of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and the only surviving theatre in Argyll are among six historic buildings to receive more than £1 million to carry out urgent repairs.

The grant awards from Historic Scotland were announced yesterday by Fiona Hyslop, the secretary for culture and external affairs, who said the funding had the potential to have a positive impact on local communities.

She said all of the sites involved were "unique" with a story to tell. "Simply ensuring that they are repaired and retained creates opportunities for real benefits.

"Times are tough, but each of these projects exemplify why we need to invest in buildings at the heart of our communities so they can continue to be a resource for us all."

The largest single grant, of 465,000, has been awarded by Historic Scotland for repairs at 13th-century Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire, going towards a 1.16m scheme to halt water damage and prevent any further deterioration at the ancient fortress.

Drum Castle, a popular wedding venue, is the oldest intact building in the NTS's care and includes a medieval tower and a Jacobean mansion.

Ian Davidson, Drum Tower project manager, said: "Like many of our most historic places, Drum Castle needs careful care and attention to ensure that its treasures can be enjoyed by generations for centuries more."

Grants have also been awarded for work on the main farm buildings at Craigston Castle, near Turriff, the historic home of the Urquhart family, the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dunoon Burgh Halls, the Haining Estate in the Borders and Ullapool Museum .

The B-listed Burgh Halls in Dunoon are to receive a grant of 161,241 towards repairs as part of a total project cost estimated to be 1,198,867. The building was the only theatre in Argyll from its construction in 1873 until it closed in the 1960s. It went out of use completely in the 1980s and was eventually registered as a Building at Risk.

In early 2009, the John McAslan Family Trust bought it with the intention of transforming it into a cultural centre. The Burgh Hall was re-opened in May of that year following a series of initial repairs and has remained in use since then through a diverse programme of cultural activities.

John McAslan, chairman of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, said: "We are committed to returning the Burgh Hall as a key arts-led venue at the heart of the community so we are delighted that Historic Scotland has demonstrated such resounding support for the project."

The grant of 243,00 for Craigston Castle farm is to be used to make the buildings wind and watertight as part of plans to develop them as holiday lets to assist with the long-term sustainability of the privately owned estate and castle.The Stirling Smith Art Gallery is to receive a grant of 264,000 to assist its expansion plans, while a grant of 37,494 goes to the Haining Estate in the Borders which was left to the local community by former lawyer Andrew Nimmo-Smith following his death in 2009.

Work will see the A-listed mansion house removed from the Buildings at Risk Register to provide business and office units and secure the building's future

The final beneficiary is Ullapool Museum, where a grant of 14,011 will be used for external repairs to allow the continued use of the A-listed former church as a community resource.