The battle for Castle Tioram

[Bob Brooks]

Originally posted by David T Anderson
Gentlemen -- Unless you have actually been to the site of Castle Tioram, you can't appreciate what a difficult problem restoration of this site must be.

Yes, I have been there.

I have fenced broadsword on the beach before it - against one of its true ancestral dynasty - and shot my longbow from its ramparts, before dining on freshly shot pheasant, smoked haggis and free-range eggs beneath its imposing shadow.

Difficult site, limited access .... cultural jewel. Leave it be. For the sake of Scotland.

Honourably,

Bob

[David T Anderson]

Originally posted by guthrie stewart
I am afraid that I disagree Mr Anderson.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong. If Mr. Brown manages to do what he wants to do, it will be a very wonderful thing...

[guthrie stewart]

Thats all right then.

Now, we'll have to see if Mr Brown gets his act together and him and HS and suchlike can negotiate a settlement, or whether we'll wait 10 years for it to die down and fashions to change and someone else to come along and restore Tioram.

[Alexander McCracken]

Hi All,

Sorry to post and run (again), but that's about
all I've had time for lately. Here's a follow-on
article from The Scotsman. Seems Mr. Brown
is going to reapply next year. I wonder if this
means he's worked out a deal behind the
scenes?

Alex

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Historic Castle Tioram Needs £2.5m of Work

JOHN ROSS

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1377222004

A HISTORIC Highland castle that has been closed to the public because of safety concerns needs £2.5 million of work to save it from further decline.

Historic Scotland commissioned reports on the condition and historical significance of Castle Tioram in Moidart, which has been at the centre of a dispute for seven years.

Its owner, Lex Brown, a millionaire Scottish businessman, wants to restore it and live there, but Historic Scotland favours the building being conserved as a ruin.

Initial findings by the government body’s architects say the landmark requires at least £500,000 to be spent over the next two years to make stonework safe and a further £2 million in the next decade to ensure the building’s survival even in its ruined state.

A separate study by Dr Tom McNeill, senior lecturer in archaeology at Queens University in Belfast, confirmed Tioram’s importance as a seat of Gaelic lordship.

Mr Brown said: "Historic Scotland’s own architects have confirmed the poor condition of the building and the need for extensive, costly consolidation work if it is to be saved for future generations. Dr McNeill has also confirmed that the castle is important first and foremost as a stronghold of the Lordship of the Isles, not as some sort of hazy Victorian ruin."

Mr Brown plans to submit a new application for scheduled ancient monument consent early in the new year.

Mr Brown’s company, Anta Estates, beat strong competition, including a bid from the Clanranald Castle Tioram Trust, to buy the castle in 1997 for £100,000.

After the purchase, Mr Brown announced a £4.5 million plan to restore the 13th-century structure to its condition prior to 1715, the year it was torched by a clan chief to stop it falling into enemy hands. This would include a new roof, a residential flat and a clan museum.

Historic Scotland turned down Mr Brown’s proposal, saying it was detrimental to the fabric of the monument and to its cultural significance. A public inquiry was held, which refused consent, and that decision was backed by the Scottish Executive in February 2002.

Anta lodged revised plans, but Historic Scotland sent them back, saying they were "essentially the same" as the earlier application. Mr Brown had planned to take the issue to the Court of Session, before deciding it would take too long and cost too much.

[Alexander McCracken]

£2.5M Needed For Castle Revival

IAN ABERNETHY

http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk...=sidebarsearch


09:00 - 03 December 2004

A Multi-million pound investment project is needed to safeguard the future of an ancient castle on an exposed west Highland peninsula.

Castle Tioram in Moidart, Ardnamurchan, was built in the 14th century and was a former stronghold for the MacDonalds of Clanranald.

The dilapidated structure, now owned by Ayrshire businessman Lex Brown, closed to the public five years ago following concerns about its safety.

Historic Scotland recently commissioned its own architects to look at the condition of the castle and assess the money required to restore it.

Initial findings claim at least £2.5million would be needed over the next 10 years to safeguard its future.

At least £500,000 is required over the next two years to ensure the stonework of the castle is safe. However, a further £2million is also needed over 10 years to prevent the structure from eventual collapse.

Problems such as the risk of localised collapse, failure of the mortar and loose wallheads were all highlighted in the work.

Historic Scotland architect Lucy Vaughan said: "An extensive programme of works is required at the castle."

However there were problems in finding skilled masons, transporting materials by helicopter, the impact of visitor numbers on the ecology and archaeology of the island, and the provision of interpretation services for visitors.

Tom McNeill, senior lecturer in archaeology at Queens University in Belfast, has also looked at the historical and cultural significance of Castle Tioram.

The work was undertaken after the Scottish Executive said the importance of the historic ruin had not been fully considered.

In a detailed report, Mr McNeill confirmed Castle Tioram was a principal seat of Gaelic lordship.

However, he also raised points about the early development of the castle.

Mr Brown, who also owns Eilean Tioram on which the ruined castle stands, said: "Historic Scotland's own architects have ratified the poor condition of the building and the need for extensive, costly consolidation work if it is to be saved for future generations.

" Mr McNeill has further confirmed that the castle is first and foremost important as a stronghold of the Lordship of the Isles and not as some sort of hazy Victorian ruin."

He continued: "I will be instructing my team to revise the proposals to take full account of the various points raised by Mr McNeill and the latest condition report with a view to submitting a fresh application for scheduled ancient monument consent early in the New Year.

"With Historic Scotland's concerns fully addressed, I would hope to begin work next year."

Peter Drummond, architect for the proposals, confirmed that the original scheme would be reviewed and revised.

He said: "We hope to meet Historic Scotland and Mr McNeill shortly to look at the fine detail.

"However, the broad thrust of these reports squares with our own research and a solution which will save the castle is now in sight."