FUTURE OF WESTERN ISLE CASTLE SECURED Kisimul Castle: An Historic Union
Read the Chief's Message to Clan McNeil members worldwide!
The long-term future of one of Scotland's most historic castles -
Kisimul Castle on the island of Barra - has been secured with an
agreement announced March 25, 2000, by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for
Culture
and Sport, whereby the Castle is being taken into the care of
Historic
Scotland.
Historic Scotland, the government agency responsible for the country's building
heritage, has signed an agreement with the Castle's hereditary
owners,
The Macneil and Mrs. Macneil of Barra, to take over responsibility
for
the property.
Kisimul Castle, which has been open to the public for many years, has
long been a centre of interest for members of the Clan Macneil
worldwide. Historic Scotland agency will open the Castle as a
visitor
attraction in June, 2000 and a conservation programme for the site
will
be prepared this year with detailed survey work a first priority.
Ms Brankin said:
"Kisimul Castle is the only significant surviving medieval castle in
the
Western Isles and it is internationally recognised as the seat of the
chiefs of the Clan Macneil.
"This agreement secures the future of the site with a planned
conservation programme which will help protect and conserve the
Castle
for future generations.
"Historic Scotland will use its experience of running high quality
historic visitor sites to develop the site as a tourist attraction
which
will have economic spinoffs for one of Scotland's important island
communities."
The agreement, a 1000-year lease with a novel annual rent of just £1
and
a bottle of whisky, allows Historic Scotland to take over the day to
day
management of the site. Robert Lister Macneil of Barra, the present
Chief's father, restored the castle between 1956-70 with support from
Clan members. Substantial additional funds are held on behalf of
Clan
members which will be made available to assist Historic Scotland in
its
conservation work.
The Macneil and Mrs. Macneil of Barra welcomed the partnership with
Historic Scotland. They said:
"Kisimul is a most romantic place with great potential to be
developed
further as a tourist attraction.
Standing on a rock in Castlebay, the tides and the
constant varying sea and light of the Hebrides give the Castle an
ever-changing, often magical appearance.
"Historic Scotland will maintain Kisimul to the highest standards
while
continuing the Castle's centuries old association with our family,
the
wider Clan Macneil and the Barra community.
"We wish to stress that this auspicious development respecting
Kisimul
will not affect our connections with the Estate of Barra and the
Barra
community. Our relationships with both mean a great deal to us, and
will continue as in the past."
Early recorded references to Kisimul Castle are lacking, and
estimates
of its age range from traditional dates of about 1030 A.D. to as late
as
the middle of the 15th century. In the mid-l8th century, the
Macneils
moved out of the Castle in favour of more convenient accommodation on
mainland Barra and after a fire in 1795, the Castle declined.
A 60-foot high tower dominates the Castle. Inside the Castle walls
are
several other buildings including a Great Hall, a kitchen, a chapel
and
a small dungeon. Much of the original Castle fabric remains intact.
This joint press release of HISTORIC SCOTLAND AND MACNEIL OF BARRA, provided to the Gathering of the Clans by Charles R. Kaiser, webmaster, Clan McNeil.
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Thursday, December 26th, 2019
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