Culzean Castle
Properties in the charity's care all over the country sustained damage in the severe weather that raged all over Scotland over Wednesday night and into Thursday last week. Expert conservation staff are still counting up the costs of the clean-up which is expected to be approaching £75,000 across the country, if not more.
Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged, and in one case, torn off and paths were washed away.
Amongst the worst affected places was Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross, where several mature trees were toppled, including a 50 foot pine which snapped in half. Paths all around the historic garden and estate – including the coastal path around Camas Glas bay – were virtually washed away and are in need of urgent repairs. The garden will remain closed until the full scale of the damage can be assessed and the areas made safe. The full costs are still being counted, but are likely to add up to tens of thousands.
At the other end of the country, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum was also affected with trees down and a property banner destroyed. Early estimates suggest repairs will cost around £10,000.
Arduaine Garden and Crarae Garden in Argyll, Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayrshire, Dollar Glen and Kintail have all reported damage, mainly to trees and paths.
Terry Levinthal, Director of Conservation said: “As we batten down the hatches for another battering this weekend, we’re still counting the costs of last week’s wild weather. With so many trees down, paths in need of repair and missing slates, tiles and even front porches, we are looking at a significant bill. As a charity, events like this are difficult to bear.
“Obviously, we plan to prevent damage where we can but the knock-on effect of severe weather can continue for weeks, and sometimes months, with staff and budgets stretched to breaking point and limited resources diverted away from planned conservation projects.”