Glenbarr Abbey in danger

Sir,

I moved to the area a year ago and finally visited Glenbarr Abbey and the Macalister Clan visitor centre which is situated in the picturesque village of Glenbarr.

What an amazing place and steeped in history. I was amazed to see on display a pair of gloves verified to have been worn by Mary Queen of Scots, and a lock of hair, also verified to be from Robert The Bruce.

Angus Charles Macalister, 5th Laird of Glenbarr, and his wife, Jeanne, lived there. Angus passed away in 2007 and Lady Macalister still lives at the Abbey.

The place was packed with visitors when I was there so imagine my shock when Lady Macalister, a trustee, informed me that the abbey was closing at the end of the year as they can no longer afford the upkeep.

I could see that the building was in need of a lot of attention. I learned that the trustees are based in the USA and there is very little communication between the trustees.

It would be a crying shame to have such an important heritage site close.

How can we just stand by and allow this to happen?

Maybe all the various tourist factions, i.e. Visit Scotland, Explore Argyll, Explore Kintyre, Explore Campbeltown, among others, could work together on this to ensure that there is a plan to secure its future, which is vital for the area.

I know that there is a ‘Vision for the future sustainability plan’ dated 2014 from the trustees, outlining their plans to ‘secure the future of Glenbarr Abbey for the benefit of the local community and the general public.’

So the questions need to be asked: ‘What has happened in the last three years?’ And more importantly: ‘What are we going to do to secure the future of Glenbarr Abbey?’

Name and address supplied.