Affected Communities - Balintore CastleFurther along the Glen is located one of Scotland's Architectural treasures recently saved by Angus Council using their Compulsory Purchase powers and is now at the beginning of a restoration programme. Balintore Castle is of both national and international architectural significance, being Grade A listed is fully exposed to the sight of all six of the turbines. The building has only very recently been saved by the timely intervention of Angus Council in 2007 and is currently undergoing restoration by the new owner Dr David Johnston. Now Balintore Castle faces another serious challenge: this time to the very environment in which it is located. The structure was build high-up on the north flank of Glen Quarity specifically to command an arcadian view to the south. Glen Quharity is tucked discreetly between the more major and famous Glenisla and Glen Prosen, so is in a prime tourist location. Balintore Castle was built 150 years ago and is surrounded by a uniquely unspoilt landscape where protected wildlife abounds. The proposed Mile Hill Windfarm will have a seriously detrimental effect on this historic castle and must not be allowed to proceed. All 6 of the 100m turbines would be fully visible from the castle and for miles around. The turbines are nearly as tall as the Forth Rail Bridge.
6 TURBINES WILL BE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM BALINTORE CASTLE Please help save Balintore Castle and our heritage from this inappropriate and exceedingly untimely proposal i.e. just as the building is beginning to be turned around from terminal decay. We need as much support as possible to save Balintore Castle from the proposed raping of such an ecologically sensitive and heritage-laiden environment. Please object to the planning application ref no 08/00426/FUL and do it now. Write to: Mr Neil Duthie WHAT ANGUS COUNCIL SAID LAST YEAR THIS IS WHAT ANGUS COUNCIL SAID ABOUT THE CASTLE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO PRESS RELEASE FROM ANGUS
COUNCIL Issued: 7 February 2007
BALINTORE CASTLE - RESTORATION HAS JUST STARTED Balintore Castle, a magnificent Victorian building which has lain empty for more than forty years, has been saved from dereliction by Angus Council. The council used its compulsory purchase powers to buy the castle and has now transferred ownership of the architectural treasure to a restoring buyer, who intends to live there. The building has deteriorated rapidly during the past few years and there were fears that the building might start to collapse unless remedial action was taken. The 'A' listed Baronial sporting lodge lies in moorland a few miles north of the Loch of Lintrathen. The building was commissioned by David Lyon and designed in 1859 by architect William Burn. Kirriemuir firm James Watson constructed Balintore, which has a lively roofline made up of overhanging, wall-mounted turrets projecting from the walls of pseudo-ancient fortifications that characterise the Scottish Baronial style. A grand, double height banqueting hall is the centre piece of the building and although the interior is in a state of some decay, there are the remains of Jacobean-style plaster ceilings. Old drawings of the castle show rooms with names such as the saloon, dinner service room, women servant's sitting room, brushing room, beer cellar, lumber room, and butler's pantry, as well as the drawing room, dining room and library. The present structure might not the first building to occupy the elevated site, according to one of the first detailed maps of Scotland drawn up in the late 16th century by Timothy Pont. The Pont map covering Lintrathen area shows there existed a tower house named 'Balintor' Further survey work will be carried out to see if there is an older building buried within the existing castle. The convener of Angus Council's Infrastructure Services committee, Councillor David Selfridge, welcoming the move, said: "Balintore Castle is an important part of Scotland's architectural heritage and was designed by one of the most prominent architects of the time. "The council is pleased to have facilitated the transfer of ownership of this fine building to ensure that it will be restored for future generations. Where necessary, the council will consider the use of the powers available under the planning legislation to save other historic buildings in Angus." The Scottish Civic Trust Director Terry Levinthal said he was delighted that the castle had been saved. He said: "Balintore Castle has appeared on the Buildings at Risk Register operated by SCT on behalf of Historic Scotland since the service began in 1990. Even though the house was abandoned in the 1960s, it retains an essential architectural quality that merits its classification as a category A-listed building, being of national importance. "The Trust would commend Angus Council, and applaud its members and professional staff for taking this courageous action to rescue Balintore. We look forward to restoration proposals coming forward, and will be delighted when we can remove it from the Buildings at Risk register." Members of the public should note that the land around Balintore Castle is in private ownership. The condition of the castle's interior is such that no-one should enter the building. |
