| Backers of the plan, including the president of the appeal, the Earl of Airlie, gathered at the castle today to outline the ambitious project at the heart of the regiment’s historic recruiting area.
Currently leased from the Ministry of Defence, the intention is raise enough money to purchase Balhousie Castle.
It’s also proposed to enhance the facilities to increase display space, create a large area for special exhibitions, educational interpretation and reunions and improve storage for archives and artefacts.
“There can be few more famous regiments in the world than The Black Watch,” said the Earl of Airlie at the launch.
“The name alone is enough to inspire thoughts of soldierly excellence, military glamour and the historic link between Scotland and her fighting men.
“Sadly it was announced in 2004 that The Black Watch and the other remaining Scottish infantry regiments were to be merged into a single new regiment.
“It would, therefore, seem timely to secure and enhance the long-term future of the regiment’s spiritual home and museum and I am proud to be associated with this important undertaking.
“It has been said that a measure of a nation’s civilisation is the extent to which it is prepared to invest time and money in the collection and preservation of the artefacts and archives that define its past.
“Understanding the past helps us to make sense of the present and to look to the future with greater confidence.”
Lord Airlie described The Black Watch as an “iconic” part of the nation’s story, which had proudly worn the Red Hackle for nearly three centuries.
The target for the appeal is to raise £3,230,000 to purchase the castle.
This would also enable the building of a proposed extension to the museum and allow alterations to be made to the internal layout of the castle.
It would further provide an endowment fund to help sustain the project in the future.
Among those backing the appeal to the regiment’s members, supporters and friends is Prince Charles, who is the official patron.
Writing in the appeal brochure he says, “I was enormously proud and honoured to be appointed Colonel in Chief of The Black Watch in succession to my grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who had been Colonel in Chief for more than 60 years.
“I am delighted to give my support and encouragement to this appeal, designed to safeguard the memory of a unique part of the British Army and of Scotland’s proud military and cultural heritage.” |
