Tuesday, 25 March 2003 14:14

The Saddell Abbey Conservation Project has been awarded a commendation in the Open Spaces category of the prestigious Dynamic Place Awards Scheme that is sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Communities Scotland.

The Saddell Abbey Project which was managed by Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Unit, involved the stabilisation of the ruins of the 12th Century Cistercian Monastery and the re-location of medieval carved grave slabs to a new green oak shelter with associated interpretation and a new visitor car park.

The Council’s Development and Environment spokesperson Councillor Robin Banks said, “This project has been hailed as a great success, both in terms of the conservation of the Abbey, and in the low key maintenance of non-manned interpretation sites in Scotland. The overall quality of the site has also been recognised by VisitScotland, the National Tourism agency who have awarded the Abbey four star status as an Historic Visitor Attraction.

“It is a fine example of partnership working between public agencies and a local community to preserve and protect an important part of local history.”

The £385,000 project received grant aid from the Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Executive.

One element of the project makes it rather unusual. In order to generate continuing revenue for the management of the site and the work of the local Saddell Abbey Trust, an audio tape was recorded for sale in tourist information centres. The tape recounts the history of the area, and is intended to act as an in-car tour, synchronised to tell the story of places of interest as you pass Kintyre.

A second CD has been recorded featuring local musicians and is also for sale in tourist information centres. It is intended that the sale of the tapes and CD’s will provide an income stream for the Trust that will allow them to look at securing additional funding for future improvements and maintenance of the site.