Fort Augustus Preservation Trust
Fort Augustus Preservation Trust has taken up the challenge of protecting the natural and historical heritage of our locale. The Trust aims to debate everyone's priorities and to keep a watching brief over any part of our heritage that may come under threat. The Trust's first project is the proposed restoration of the Oich River bridge.
FAPT needs you
In order to be successful in its aims, the Trust needs as wide a membership as possible, as this will ensure firstly that the broadest range of viewpoints will be expressed and secondly that external agencies will recognise that the Trust reflects the views of the entire community.
Please DOWNLOAD THE FAPT APPLICATION FORM and join now!
Why should I join the Fort Augustus Preservation Trust ?
So as to have a say in how money may best be raised and spent on protecting what is most valuable to us in our local environment.
Isn’t the new Community Company going to do that?
Well probably. But we don’t want a conflict between those who feel, for instance, that trying to build a swimming pool is more important than preserving an old bridge. In fact the money to finance either such project will need to come from very different sources. Our Trust is designed to conserve our wild or historic heritage – and will ask for funding from sponsors who restrict grants mainly to these aims. We need to collaborate, not compete!
So it’s the “Abbey Preservation Trust” routine, all over again?
Yes and no ! We didn’t need to keep worrying about the Abbey once Raven Group had saved it. Now that the “Abbey Trust” is being “wound up”, the Charity Commissioners are going to allow its funds to be transferred to our new Trust - which has a wider remit. Our task for F.A.P.T. is to keep a “watching brief” on any part of our local heritage that may come under threat – be it wildlife or our unique but rather run-down, “built heritage”.
And that old bridge is more important than anything else?
Well “Historic Scotland” think it is – and are prepared to spend almost £200,000 of the Scottish Parliament’s money on it ! - But only on condition that we quickly raise the remainder that is needed, from other sources. The urgency is because the bridge’s old timbers can’t last much longer ! Just now we believe that our village needs a restored, historic “monument” of real quality. (To compete, for instance, with Urquhart Castle or Culloden.) Our history is second to none – but we need just one special restoration.
So this new Trust can, in time, explore other conservation projects?
Very much so ! That is why we need a full membership – to debate all people’s concerns and priorities. This will help to put us in the league of “quality tourism”, will attract not just bus parties but those interested to look more widely round our area – so as to eat in our restaurants and to stay on overnight. (In a way we are trying to regain the lost visitors, from all over the world, who used to come to visit our Abbey, year after year).
Yes – but why must we all be involved?
Because we’re only a small village – competing in a global market ! Sadly numbers count. Agencies like “the Lottery” need to justify making their grants by the “level of local support”. We only ask two pounds of you – for your interest and support ! Your joining will enable us to do the work !