Eleanor Harris is a historian and environmentalist, who has embarked on a project to restore a former field centre, Blair House, to a new life into and encourage interest in the spectacular Glen Doll.
Eleanor writes :
"Blair House is a 20-bed field centre in Glen Doll, at the head of Glen Clova, Angus. From it you can explore the Forestry Commission woods, be on top of Driesh by lunch or climb any of a dozen other Cairngorm Munros, watch eagles and red squirrels, or study botany or geology in six SSSIs, including the globally-significant botanical site Corrie Fee.
Blair House, part farm cottage, part Forestry Commission bunkhouse, became the Edinburgh Academy field centre 1970 ( Eleanor's father was a teacher at the school). Since then, in wayfaring courses, owl-pellet analysis, rock climbing, mountain navigation, identifying Silene suecica or simply harebells, participating in art, music and creative writing, thousands of children have played and studied there.
I was one of those children. When in 2014 Blair House, no longer suitable as a school facility, was up for sale, I decided to buy it and refurbish it. I want to make the magical privilege of staying in Glen Doll available much more widely: to school, university, community, faith and family groups.
The refurbishment includes meeting fire regulations, installing modern bathrooms and insulation, and eco-friendly ground-source, solar and wood heating, It is expected to cost up to £200,000. I aim to open in summer 2015, but to fund the capital cost I need your help! I spent all my capital on the purchase; I have around £20,000 in private loans from Blair House supporters and can expect around £80,000 sustainability loans for heating and insulation work. This leaves around £100,000 to find.
I must exceed the initial crowdfunder target of £5000 to receive any money at all, but I know that there are easly enough people who are excited by the idea of filling Blair House with life and learning once more to raise this and much more.
There are brilliant and unique rewards to say thank you for donations, which reflect the ethos of Blair House: restoring nature, by inspiring people. "
You can read more here too :
Blair House Glen Doll Blogspot http://blairhouseglendoll.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-great-glen-doll-meadow.htmlEleanor is using Crowdfunder to help the project - if you might like to make a wee donation to the project , which has an initial deadline of 24th March , please see HERE
“Blair House is one of those rare magical places with the capacity to transform lives by reconnecting people with nature and landscape. Eleanor’s vision for Blair House is inspiring, exciting and completely selfless. If you can, please support Eleanor in her efforts to breathe new life into Blair House and the spectacular Glen Doll.”
Jonathan Hughes, Chief Executive, Scottish Wildlife Trust
