Duart Restoration Update
At the Gathering Congress 2012, the Clan gave unanimous support to the Chief to start an appeal to raise funds to restore Duart Castle. In 2014, following investigations and successful trials, a restoration plan was approved for funding assistance by Historic Environment Scotland. An appeal was launched and a small oversight Appeal Board was established. Nigel Alington (U.K.) was a key contributor in setting up the Board, which was augmented with Ian MacLean (Canada) and Grant Maclean (Australia) joining Duart Partnership members Sir Lachlan and Malcolm Maclean. Added in 2016 were Jane Brayshaw (U.K.) and Trish MacLean Frandsen (U.S.).
A message from Sir Lachlan Maclean
DONOR RECOGNITION
As all donations are important to restoring the Castle, it will be my pleasure to thank donors personally.
Donors who contribute £200 or $250 & above will be recognized as Duart Castle Guardians and receive a unique badge (pin) and certificate.
Those who donate £1,000 or $1,250 & above will be known as Duart Castle Life Guardians and also receive a photograph of myself standing in front of the Castle, signed by me, and be granted lifetime access free of charge to the public areas of the Castle during opening hours.
Further, Patrons at £5,000 or $6,250 & above and Chief’s Circle donors at £25,000 or $31,250 & above also will receive mementos to mark their special contributions.
Chief’s Circle donors will have their names inscribed in stone and Patrons and Life Guardians will have their names written into registers held in the Castle for viewing.
In the future, relatives visiting Duart and seeing the names of these donors will feel great pride in the roles their ancestors played in sustaining the Castle.
When a donor gives more than one donation, these amounts will be aggregated over time for the purposes of determining the upgraded donor category and associated benefit.
At the Gathering Congress 2012, the Clan gave unanimous support to the Chief to start an appeal to raise funds to restore Duart Castle. In 2014, following investigations and successful trials, a restoration plan was approved for funding assistance by Historic Environment Scotland. An appeal was launched and a small oversight Appeal Board was established. Nigel Alington (U.K.) was a key contributor in setting up the Board, which was augmented with Ian MacLean (Canada) and Grant Maclean (Australia) joining Duart Partnership members Sir Lachlan and Malcolm Maclean. Added in 2016 were Jane Brayshaw (U.K.) and Trish MacLean Frandsen (U.S.).
The Appeal Board set about its task to attract and facilitate donations including seeking the involvement of Clan Maclean Associations and establishing the following donor categories: Guardian £200 or $250 & above, Life Guardian £1,000 or $1,250 & above, Patron £5,000 or $6,250 & above and Chief’s Circle £25,000 or $31,250 & above.
To reward donors and promote the Appeal, an attractive and stylized Duart Castle Guardian Badge was produced to form part of donor benefits. The badge was handed out for the first time at the Gathering 2017 to Guardian donors & above who it is hoped will wear them proudly for years ahead. Qualifying donors who were unable to attend the Gathering will receive their benefits shortly in the mail. Other highlights of the donor benefits include the granting of lifetime access to the public areas of the Castle during opening hours to Life Guardian donors & above and inscribing the names of Chief’s Circle donors in a stone displayed inside the Castle.
While the majority of funds collected have been from single or multiple donations from Clans people and the general public, some organizations have conducted raffles and other fund raising activities. At the Gathering 2017 a raffle was organized to assist the restoration with almost £5,000 raised. Additionally, a silent auction was held on Saturday during the Gathering resulting in a contribution of over £10,700. Going forward the Appeal Board believes the use of digital media will play a significant role in its future fundraising.
By the end of August 2017 we expect to have raised £220,000 and by mid 2018 we are aiming for a total of £350,000 from which the Clan would match the funds being provided by Historic Environment Scotland for Stage 4 of the restoration.
Donors are contributing for their children and grandchildren, and also there have been donations from deceased estates. At least one Clan Maclean Association has achieved Patron level £5,000 or $6,250 & above from its own fundraising efforts. These are very positive results and represent dedicated commitment to the Appeal.
In 2016 and early 2017, funds raised by the Appeal were directed at restoring the Keep Wall at the west of the Courtyard, the Cap House at the top of this wall and the Cap House at the top of the Ghost Walk, all significant parts of Stage 3.
The voids (pictured left) that were opened up in the 5 meter thick Keep Wall were measured as up to 1 meter deep. All friable Easdale slate that had been used in between the large imperious stones had to be removed along with the hard cement mortar and replaced with Caithness stone and the new purpose made lime mortar.
Repairing the Ghost Walk Cap House was quite an exercise as the concrete with asphalt underneath had to be taken apart and replaced with stainless steel reinforcement and new lime concrete which was then lined with lead upon which stone courses went back on.
Work has also been carried out on the Ghost Walk Tower at the North East corner of the Castle and the large chimney which serves the fireplace in the Banqueting Hall.
In summary, the particular outside walls where the worst leaks come into the Castle have been addressed because of your support. With the exception of one window which is still being worked on, all works that have been undertaken to date have been successful. The qualify of the work has been very good.
Prior to the Gathering, Stage 4 (the largest so far) had commenced and includes repairing the gable wall by the flagpole, the Searoom windows as well as the wall below the tower that comes up from the Wreck room to the Pantry. The final significant cost in this Stage will be reroofing a flat roof which causes major leaks into one bedroom and the boiler room.
Stages 5 and 6, which will largely be focused on external work, will see the completion of the conservation project in 2020 subject to raising sufficient funds. It will be very important that the Appeal consistently raises funds during the remaining years as reliable cash flow is essential to the project’s success.
The Appeal Board is grateful for the support given by members of the Clan and the general public. The faith demonstrated by Historic Environment Scotland by granting significant funds to the restoration project to save Duart Castle provides great credibility to the Appeal. We must have your help to accomplish this mighty task. Macleans, in battle, are famous for their honor, strength and courage. “Saving Duart Castle” is the battle of our times. Support your Chief and Clan by giving generously to the Restoration Appeal Fund. Visit duartappeal.org.
