Arts centre’s new COVID cash target
Campaign raises £20k in SIX days
A popular Perthshire tourist attraction is extending its opening this year due to an increase in self catering and motorhome bookings.
Blair Castle and its surrounding estate, which normally closes in October, will stay open until December.
The castle will remain open for guided tours until the middle of December, although this is subject to ongoing government guidance.
With the increasing popularity of motorhomes, touring pitches within the caravan park will now also be available to book until the end of the year.
The estate has already seen its traditional summer holiday months extend well into the autumn, with bookings for self-catering accommodation over September and October up 15 per cent on previous years and motorhome bookings in the caravan park rising 23 per cent - which reflects the increasing popularity of touring holidays in the Cairngorms National
A popular Perth arts venue is celebrating after reaching an ambitious funding target to help keep the doors open in just six days.
Birnam Arts launched a four-week Crowdfunding campaign to raise £20,000 on September 18.
That target was reached on September 23 and staff have now stretched their target to £30,000 as the venue tries to navigate its way through the coronavirus pandemic.
The hub had previously said the campaign was because Birnam Arts “cannot afford to keep the doors open” due to COVID-19 and staff are working on the assumption it will be April 2021 at the earliest they are able to put on a live performance.
But staff had reasons to be cheerful as they entered the last three weeks of the campaign
General manager James Irvine said: “Every additional £10,000 we raise will have a hugely positive impact upon our long-term
Park.
With uncertainty and potential restrictions around foreign travel, Blair Castle is now also seeing the impact on bookings for November and December as travellers exchange winter sun for pre-Christmas family get-aways in a COVID-safe environment.
Chloe Thornton, marketing officer for the estate, said:“It is the simplicity of a holiday with family, surrounded by nature, that is driving enquiries for winter holidays.
“The confidence that travel arrangements won’t be disrupted and that high standards of cleanliness will be enforced is the perfect solution for families looking for ways to grab some time away together prior to Christmas.
“The holiday season has already spilled over into autumn, the perfect time to travel safely to Highland Perthshire for a well-earned break. The colours across the estate at this time of year are spectacular.” sustainability whilst helping us to cover our costs should the worst happen and we face another period of enforced closure.
“We are continuing to apply for larger sources of funding. However, we are still having to prepare for a shortfall - the outlook is so uncertain and constantly changing.
“Absolutely every donation helps. With every £1 raised, it takes us one step closer to returning to a form of normality, from increasing the days we open our café to developing plans on how best to safely bring back performances and workshops.”
Birnam Arts anticipates it will not be able to schedule any live performances or larger gatherings until April 2021.
However, the team will be using the next few months to initiate plans to improve the look, feel and fabric of the centre.
Before lockdown, the venue had been successful in securing funding from The Gannochy Trust to improve the efficiency and atmosphere, which includes the commissioning of a new website, updating the signage and café furniture and upgrading the lighting system to more ecological alternatives.
James added: “This Crowdfunder will help to alleviate some of the financial strain we have faced since lockdown and also allow us to continue with the progress we were achieving before all of this.
“Sales in our café were already up thanks to our new catering team and we were in the process of recruiting a new shop manager and finance officer.
“This project is bringing us one step closer to recovery and we
The grounds at Blair Castle are remaining open for longer this year are determined to build on all the support we are being given so that Birnam Arts can continue to be a much-loved and appreciated arts centre at the heart of our local community.”
Kate Bell, arts development and marketing officer, added: “Whatever we raise, we’ll squeeze as much value and benefit out of it as possible.
“We’re already progressing with plans to hold an online arts exhibition later in the year, as well as a physical installation of the annual Christmas market exhibition - both featuring local and Scotland wide artists. Every penny will be put to good use.”
Birnam Arts is currently open from 11am to 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Visit www. crowdfunder.co.uk/savebirnamarts or call 01350 727674.
Every £10,000 we raise will have a hugely positive impact on our long-term sustainability James Irvine