Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 45
The volunteering days were the brainchild of Iain Cram,
Director of Bell Ingram Design, who is part of the team
restoring the Castle.
Iain said: “The restoration of the Fog House marks an
important milestone in the ongoing transformation of
Braemar Castle and its grounds to ensure its long-term
protection for the enjoyment of visitors from all over the
world.
“We are proud to do our part to ensure the survival of this
important building for future generations and our partnership with Braemar Community Ltd. has also given our
employees a great opportunity to volunteer and make a
positive difference to the community.
“Volunteering days like this are a fantastic boost to our
conservation and outdoor learning efforts as well as
promoting a sense of wellbeing and connection between
our staff and the places where they work.”
About Braemar Castle
Braemar Castle, located at the Haughs of Dee, has been
an army barracks, family home and visitor attraction since
it was built in 1628 by John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar
as his Highland hunting lodge.
Above, Heather Picking Volunteers
Community Ltd., its interior kept just as it looked when
the laird was in residence.
It was a target in the first Jacobite uprising in 1689 and
torched by John Farquharson of Inverey. Following the
Battle of Culloden, the castle was used as a garrison for
Hanoverian soldiers to suppress any lingering Jacobite
support.
The community group, supported by the help of an
anonymous benefactor, helped secure the contents of the
castle and the volunteers raised half a million pounds, locally and from generous private donors, which bolstered
major funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
and Historic Environment Scotland to make the Castle
wind and watertight and safeguard its future.
The castle was gifted to Braemar Community Ltd. on a
50-year lease by owner Captain Alywne Farquharson,
16th Laird of Invercauld and Chief of Clan Farquharson,
in 2007. Since then, it has been managed by the Braemar
Above, Fog House (before)
Above, Fog House (after)
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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