Ambitious plans to preserve The Black Watch regimental history for future generations took a major step forward this week.
A planning application has been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council outlining the proposed alterations to Balhousie Castle, Perth, which will transform the regiment’s museum that houses artefacts, archives and memorabilia associated with their military history.
At a cost of more than £3 million, the castle, which is now owned by The Black Watch Museum Trust, will be altered to provide an improved visitor experience with increased display space, improved archive storage and space for exhibitions.
The application details how the trust would like to replace part of the west service wing with an extension housing an entrance, shop and cafe. It would also house an extended collection store and an office on the first floor.
The plans also involve slight alterations to the partition walls to allow reception space and to improve the flow of visitors through the museum.
Trust chief executive Alfie Ianetta told The Courier this week that more than £2 million of the required sum was already in place and approaches have been made with the hope of securing £750,000 of Lottery funding.
”We hope to start work on the project next year,” said Mr Ianetta.
The plans have won the approval of Historic Scotland, which has examined them in detail.
In a letter lodged with the planning application it says: ”Historic Scotland is supportive of the trustees aspirations to improve the facilities on the site.
”Although the proposals involve a reasonably large extension in relation to the main building, we are content with the general scale and massing of the proposals, and that it will read as being subservient to the main building.”
The extension has been designed by architect Lachlan Stewart, who was responsible for the gates at Glamis Castle in memory of the Queen Mother.
It was in 2008 that appeal president, the Earl of Airlie, and its chairman, Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, gathered at the castle to launch The Black Watch Heritage Appeal.
Almost immediately it was revealed £1 million had been raised from early backers, allowing the purchase of the castle from the MOD.
At that time the Earl of Airlie said: ”We must ensure that these achievements are recorded for posterity and this appeal for funds will enable us to do so.”
The museum already attracts around 15,000 visitors each year a figure that it is hoped will rise substantially as a result of the project.
Sir Alistair spoke of the qualities displayed by the men of The Black Watch who this week have been flying out to begin another six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan and how that could act as an inspiration to the younger generation.