Name of Chairperson:
Mrs Therine Henderson

Contact Address:
4 King Street,
Rosehearty,
AB43 7JA

Telephone:
(01346) 571419

Meeting Times:
The meetings are held as and when required. Contact the project office for more info.

Meeting Place:
The Project Office,
11 Ward Road,
Rosehearty

Description of What Organisation Does:
The purpose of the "Friends" being formed, was to work with the North East Scotland Preservation Trust. (NESPT).

The NESPT had plans to restore and develop the castle. The NESPT wanted the people of Rosehearty to be aware of what was going on. Mr Chalmers the secretary of the NESPT was invited along to a community council meeting where he explained to the council about the plans for the castle. Two members of the C.Council was then invited along to the next meeting of the castle trust.

The plans for the castle was to be in 4 parts. Conservation Training: Masonry, Carpentry, Blacksmith, Silversmith, All traditional crafts.

Redevelopment's of the Gardens: The gardens were outstanding in their heyday. The gardens would be an ideal location for a training centre focusing on the review of old gardens, their restoration and maintenance. This could create employment in Rosehearty.

School of Heraldry: Pitsligo Castle has a wealth of armorial plaques and is in an appropriate location for such a centre as in research and training. Tourists could explore Scottish Heraldry and Genealogy. A library of Heraldic books and a photographic archive could be housed in the castle. There is no specialist heraldic library and information centre north of Edinburgh.

Jacobite centre: this will focus on the story of the Jacobite cause. The 4th Lord Pitsligo Alexander Forbes, played an important and prominent part in the 1715 and 1745 Rebellions. The castle would be an ideal setting for such a centre.

The castle in itself is important in its own right and its restoration would add to our national heritage. An example of a complex not otherwise preserved in this particular form. The castle is set in an area of the realm which is rich in heraldry. These factors coupled with the concept of Architectural and Horticultural restoration and training makes the proposed scheme unique in the United Kingdom.

With this proposal being put to the Heritage Lottery it was decided that the people of Rosehearty should be made aware of what was happening. The idea for the "Friends" was to help promote the work that would be done in the castle. The "Friends" would promote the castle and help to raise funds. The "Friends" would also have representatives on the Castle Trust Board, this would give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas on what was happening to the castle.

The "Friends" would also be able to keep a watch over the castle and to act as Guides. The children and adults alike would be able to learn new Traditional Skills. The castle would be a source of employment and learning which would be good news for Rosehearty.