I am very grateful to The Friends of Miss Elyza Fraser Mausoleum for their kind invitation to join them last week at Cluny Old Kirkyard to get a rare glimpse inside this fantastic structure. I have quoted below from the group’s own publication to highlight their project.
Origins
For years, there has been a general awareness of a large and imposing mausoleum in the Cluny Old Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, without a great deal being know about it locally. The huge lettering around the top “Elyza Fraser of Castle Fraser” and the high quality of its design and construction all added to its interest. Obvious signs of deterioration in recent years led to enquiries to the Church of Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council and the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) at nearby Castle Fraser. Limited emergency repairs to the roof were undertaken externally by Aberdeenshire Council. The strong links to the castle prompted NTS staff to take the lead in calling together a group of individuals who then became an informal group, in an attempt to save, conserve and interpret the building.
The heritage value of the building
It soon became clear that this was no ordinary building, but instead a small masterpiece by James Byres of Tonley, a leading architect of his day and a mover and shaker in European society, with strong links to those in power and also responsible for the early success of such notable artists as Pompeo Batoni and Henry Raeburn. The story then became even more interesting for two reasons: firstly it seemed to be the only extant structure designed by Byres; secondly it would appear that no-one can be proven to own the building.
Aspirations
The project which started to take shape thus divided the work into various pieces of work:
- determining ownership;
- making the building secure, through commissioning an overhaul of its faulty lock;
- assessing the condition of the building;
- assessing and costing roughly the works needed to consolidate, conserve and interpret the mausoleum.
As Euan Glen, Minister of Cluny Church of Scotland stated at a public meeting:
“children have been playing around the mausoleum for years, without really knowing much about it. It would be great if we can ensure that they can continue to play around it safely into the future, as well as knowing a little bit more about it and being proud of it as part of their local heritage.”
Clearly, if no ownership can be discovered, then the situation becomes more complicated.
Work to date
We have managed to secure some start-up funding from two sources: the Aberdeenshire Council Area Manager’s Discretionary Fund and the National Trust for Scotland’s Group Manager’s Discretionary Fund. This has allowed the recruitment as project manager of North East Preservation Trust, in the person of Paul Higson. Paul has overseen the commissioning of local maps from Ordnance Survey and drawings (kindly provided pro bono). He has also commissioned an overhaul of the external locks on the mausoleum and an outline survey of the condition of the grave covers and wall plaques inside. He has been working with Aberdeenshire Council staff and commissioned experts on the title search, with no success to date.
Historic Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, Cluny Church of Scotland and National Trust for Scotland have all been asked for an official view and advice on ownership. To date, no-one can be identified as owning the mausoleum.
What comes next?
The title searches continue. Aberdeenshire Council is considering the mausoleum alongside other important structures within its geographical area.
It is likely that a significant sum of money will be required to consolidate, repair and interpret the Miss Elyza Fraser Mausoleum. At this point, this is likely to be from grant awards and public donations, if an owner cannot be traced. The informal group is determined to ensure the long-term future of this very important building.
(The Friends of Miss Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, April 2014)
Since last year, the structure has deteriorated. On the visit last week, I could see how the elements had further eroded the structure and the inscriptions inside. I am very happy to support the group in any way I can and look forward to meeting with them again.
If you would like more information or to join the Friends, please contact:
Paul Higson (NESPT) – info@nespt.org
Jill Standing (NTS) – jstanding@nts.org.uk
Peter Davidson (Aberdeen University – peter.davidson@abdn.ac.uk
Revd Euan Glen (Minister) – minister@clunychurch.org.uk
John Fraser (Chairman of Friends) – johnfraser477@btinternet.com