Support for the iconic Scottish Crannog Centre
Added: 14 Jun 2021
We were shocked and saddened by the news that ASVA member, the Scottish Crannog Centre – an outstanding, much-loved visitor attraction as well as a unique, invaluable living history educational facility – was devastated by a dreadful fire on Friday night (11 June) .
The Iron Age roundhouse, which stood on stilts on the shore of Loch Tay, near Kenmore in Perthshire, was engulfed in flames and the blaze very rapidly destroyed the structure. Very thankfully there were no casualties but the Centre’s team, the local community and Scotland have suffered a huge loss as a result of the incident.
Director of the Scottish Crannog Centre, Mike Benson, said: “It’s just a devastating blow. It’s such a much-loved icon, you can’t think of Loch Tay without thinking of the Crannog Centre. It’s been here for 25 years and has been so incredibly loved. The main thing is nobody has been hurt. The crannog has gone but it is not the end of the story.”
Mike says that since the fire, he has been ‘inundated with support’. The local community has been particularly sympathetic, with neighbouring business Loch Tay Highland Lodges having set up a crowdfunder. ASVA is encouraging the visitor attractions community throughout Scotland to support this financial appeal to help the Scottish Crannog Centre. Donations can be made via the JustGiving page at https://bit.ly/35kFF0l
The Centre – a unique Iron Age history experience which is integral to interpreting and sharing Scotland’s story – is also receiving help from Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS). Over the last year MGS has awarded grants from the Scottish Government totalling over £283K for the Scottish Crannog Centre’s far-reaching work to welcome visitors, increase employment opportunities in the local area, and support vocational learning with young people through Modern Apprenticeships and the Kickstart Scheme.
Museums Galleries Scotland Chief Executive Lucy Casot said: “The Crannog team worked so hard to continue their vocational learning opportunities with young people during the pandemic and welcome visitors back once it was safe to do so. Our hearts went out to the team when we heard about the fire and the immense loss of the iconic crannog reconstruction will be felt by many. We are working closely with the team and this will continue as we understand the immediate and longer-term support requirements. The community that is at the heart of the Scottish Crannog Centre needs our support now as they recover and rebuild from the fire. We encourage the many people who enjoy the Crannog to donate to its financial appeal.”
The Scottish Crannog Centre community is widely recognised for innovation, ambition, and care for its local area – qualities that, with support, will be central to its recovery from the fire.