My apologies that this report on Phase 6 is so late. My only excuse is that the work on Duart made me leave the castle before Christmas and I have found it hard to get this report prepared from a distance.
The two main works in Phase 6 have been replacement of the three rusty beams above the bay window in the Banqueting Hall and removal of the plaster and cement on the inside walls of the Drawing Room. Andrew Bradley, the main contractor, and his team have worked very hard in very difficult conditions to carry this out. In removing the beams they didn’t just have to get them out, first they had to remove the 40cm (16inch) thickness of hard concrete around them. They were working in a confined space and had to remove the beams by cutting them with a grinder, as they feared the use of oxo-acetylene could cause a fire. What a job they have done in very difficult circumstances and I’m very grateful for their dedication and hard work.
The removal of the plaster and cement in the Drawing Room is now complete. The walls were very wet when the plaster and cement were removed but they are drying out.
Before I finish this report I must thank you all for your very generous support. The Appeal has raised £693,000 and we would not have been able to carry out much of the work on the castle without these contributions from you.
We do still need to raise £114,000 to carry out the works in Phase 7, which starts in April 2020, and I hope that you will feel able to continue your support which will enable Duart to be preserved for future generations of the Clan.
With many thanks to you all,
Lachlan Maclean
Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart and Morvern, Bt, CVO 28th Chief of Clan Maclean
