Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds is seeking new trustees

Dunollie is looking for a new generation of trustees to guard its castle, grounds and museums, writes Kathie Griffiths.

The search is on for volunteers willing to join the board of the not-for-profit registered charity that looks after it.

The MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust (DPT) also has Gylen Castle on the southern tip of Kerrera under its wing.

Covid was a tough time, with restrictions forcing Dunollie’s doors shut, losing the vital income used to preserve the charity’s treasures for next generations, and although grants, donations and contributions from visitors and the community helped to keep up its work, the board is now looking ahead to its Covid recovery and wants to harness new opportunities.

Funds raised through tickets, the shop and café sales, as well as grants and donations, all go directly back into caring for and developing Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds.

Trustee positions are all on a voluntary basis, and are key to setting the direction and planning for all of the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust’s activities, alongside Dunollie’s staff.

The trust particularly wants to hear from anyone who has experience of heritage, business and financial management, as well as community engagement. Trustees meet monthly, over Zoom, so candidates from outside the Oban area can be considered.

‘However, the board would be really interested in hearing from local people who might want to be involved in caring for a site which is such an iconic part of Oban and invaluable treasure to both our local and national heritage,’ said a Dunollie spokesperson.

Volunteers are also needed to help in the gardens, behind the scenes in the archive and stewarding the site during visiting times.

Interested? Visit the website at www.dunollie.org or email info@dunollie.org