Plea to America
Bannockburn House appeal extended
The community trust planning to purchase and redevelop Bannockburn House are looking stateside in their bid to attract extra funding.
A crowdfunding campaign was launched by the Bannockburn House Trust last week as they look to raise the final £250,000 sum needed to complete the deal.
The Observer reported earlier this month that an £800,000 agreement had been reached to buy the historic grade-A listed building from owner Peter Drake.
The trust are confident they have already secured around £600,000 having just submitted their stage two application to the Scottish Land Fund.
But they are now looking to raise the remainder needed to get the 17th century mansion, which was once lived in by Bonnie Prince Charlie, in the hands of the community.
And trust member Iain McMenemy explained that they are looking to attract the help of the millions of Americans who claim Scottish heritage.
He said: “We’re going to use some of our contacts in the US to target funds from the Scottish Diaspora. The plan is to get in touch with Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA) in the coming days.
“A recent census showed that there were around 10 million people of Scottish heritage in the US, and you find that there are often more in one state than any parliamentary constituency over here. Whenever I’m over there people are always really hungry for information about Scotland and they often want to learn more about their family connections.
“Another thing we’re looking at is to get some press coverage over there to raise the profile and let people know what we’re doing. We’re hopeful we will get a good response.”
COSCA distribute newsletters and information to exported Scots and those of Scottish descent living in America.
And Mr McMenemy insists they are looking into ways to recognise the contribution of those who pledge their financial support to the project.
He added: “We’re looking into plans to create a new wall or path with the names of the people who contributed featured.
“It’s important that we look around for support but we should say that the local response has driven the whole thing. The way people reacted to the open days was great. So many people turned out, but also wanted to help out through volunteering. It’s a case of people power really enabling us to push on.”
Bannockburn councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: “The community buyout of Bannockburn House is a great opportunity for such a historically important property to be owned and run as a successful community enterprise for decades to come.
“The crowdfunding appeal gives the opportunity for individuals or local businesses to become a stakeholder in this hugely exciting project.”
See crowdfunder.co.uk/bannockburnhouse-community-purchase