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A historic clan mansion on the Hebridean island of Raasay is set to rise from the ashes as an outdoor adventure centre thanks to a multi-million pound restoration.
Raasay House was gutted by fire one night in January 2009, just as building firm Rok was nearing the end of a modernisation programme for the 260-year-old Grade A structure, which once belonged to the Clan MacLeod.
Now, following the finalisation of a redesign plan between the Raasay House Community Company, Raasay Outdoor Centre, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Rok, work has just begun to return it to its former glory.
The island of Raasay, sandwiched between Skye and the mainland, is just 14 miles long by four miles across and is home to around 200 people. The house’s near-destruction last year dealt a major blow to the fragile community, which now hopes the rebuilding work will help to put it on the adventure holiday map.
When up and running again, Raasay House will be leased by the owners, Raasay House Community Company, to the Raasay Outdoor Centre and act as a base for thrill-seekers of all ages on breaks featuring everything from sea-kayaking to abseiling, hill walking and mountain biking.
The courses, which have been run by the Raasay Outdoor Centre since 1984, are currently operating from the nearby Borodale House Hotel while work is underway on restoring Raasay House.
Building work is scheduled for completion in Spring 2012.
Neil Duncan, Rok’s area leader for the North of Scotland, said getting to the stage where the Raasay House rebuilding project could start had been a lengthy and complex process: “It has been a long wait but we are pleased to get the green light at last and looking forward to bringing this building back to life. It will retain listed building features but will also now have to comply with modern day building regulations including thermal performance, leading to reduced running costs for the Raasay Outdoor Centre.”
The age and historic significance of the building means the Rok team will employ traditional methods and materials, while creating a fully modernised building fit for the 21st century.
(GK)
