The original designs for the first pier in Argyll and Bute village Kilcreggan have been safeguarded after a successful fundraising campaign.
Local historian Richard Reeve saw that the ‘extremely fragile’ drawings – dating back 173 years – were available to be ‘adopted’ and started an online fundraising campaign on 26th September.
The target of £410 was raised within 24 hours, and with additional funds raised it is hoped that a copy will go on public display.
Thousands of historic documents are in storage at the Duke of Argyll’s home, Inveraray Castle. They include a letter from Archibald Campbell discussing lands forfeited in the aftermath of the Jacobite Rising in 1746. But the condition of many of the records has deteriorated seriously, and a new scheme invites the public to ‘adopt’ a particular document.
This includes the April 1850 plan, section and elevation of the pier, which was to be built in Kilcreggan ‘with permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty’. The archive states it is ‘extremely fragile from wear and tear’, and conservation work would humidify and support it on a tissue backing for storage in polyester support.
Richard said he visited the archive last year: “I thought I would rather like to get the conservation work done – the piermaster Gavin Walker suggested a GoFundMe page.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the responses.
“It occurred to me to get an image of the drawings along with our adoption certificate and put it somewhere for public view.
“We have decided that the shelter at the end of the pier would be ideal.”
The 1850 pier was replaced by the village’s current, B-listed pier, which was opened in 1897.
The Adopt An Archive catalogue, which features items prioritised because of their importance or popularity, is here. To adopt an item or to contribute to the costs of conserving it, select an item from the catalogue and email archives@inveraray-castle.com with the item number.
