Funding sought as Rest and Be Thankful visitors’ scheme unveiled
A SCOTLAND-wide search for funding goes on for the man looking to build a visitors’ centre at the top of the Rest.
In recognition of the Rest and be Thankful hill climbs of the past, the centre would have an element of motorsport as a theme - but would also incorporate a restaurant, shops and perhaps even a small cinema.
The man behind the scheme is retired academic Douglas Anderson - responsible for the return of the Monte Carlo Rally to Scotland in 2011 - who hopes the centre, set within the picturesque landscape, will breathe new life into the popular stopping place and bring tourism spend and jobs to local communities.
Douglas Anderson said: ‘The location of the proposed building at the Rest and be Thankful has great significance in motorsport terms because of the famous hill climb races. It was seen as the ultimate test for drivers in many ways because of the steepness and conditions and many greats like Jackie Stewart raced there. It is therefore the ideal place to celebrate Scotland’s impressive motorsport heritage.
‘The idea is to mark that connection within a permanent exhibition space but the project itself is more. The building will be a multi-use centre which could be used by the local community for film, business and cultural events. There will also be retail space and a restaurant.’
The proposed building, nestling within the contours of the mountainside, has been designed by Kennedy Twaddle Architectural Design to use the stunning vista at the summit of the glen - already a favourite stopping place.
Meetings with officials from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Visit Scotland, the Forestry Commission, Transport Scotland, MSPs and local politicians have been very positive, said Mr Anderson.
The glass-fronted building would sit below the car park and architectural designers Chris Twaddle and Gary Kennedy believe the attraction is respectful of the natural beauty of the site.
Sympathetic
‘We wanted it to be sympathetic to its context but we also wanted to frame the view and accentuate the natural amphitheatre of the valley. It is subtly quiet but exciting, visually,’ said Gary Kennedy.
The next stage in an extensive awarenessraising exercise will see the proposals go on tour round Scotland, as a search for finance goes on.
The exhibition, which was launched in Helensburgh last Thursday, will consist of a scale model of the building, architectural drawings and a ‘flythrough’ video clip. Members of the public will be invited to comment.
‘The scheme has the backing of Scottish motorsport greats, Sir Jackie Stewart and multiple British touring car champion John Cleland,’ said Douglas Anderson.
John Cleland was in Helensburgh to lend his weight to the launch. Speaking to
The Advertiser, Borders-based Mr Cleland said: ‘I first came to the famous Rest and be Thankful hill climbs in 1961 when my father was a scrutineer and that was really my first motorsport event. Jackie Stewart was racing that day and there were other famous names from the British championships, because this was a serious hill climb and quite a dangerous one at the time. I think the design they have come up with is really tastefully done. There’s nothing like it in Scotland as far as motorsport goes and I think it is a fabulous idea.’
Douglas Anderson concluded: ‘The exhibition will now go on tour round Scotland and hopefully we will get a grant or sponsorship to go forward towards a planning application. If we get outline planning permission, we’ll go for sources of bigger funding like the National Lottery or private sponsors.’