Restoration of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum

Descriptions

This project concerns the repair of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum which is situated in Old Cluny Kirkyard in Aberdeenshire. The Mausoleum is category A listed and is on the Buildings at Risk Register. The NESPT is the owner of the building. The project is being led by the NESPT in partnership with the Friends of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, an active and well supported community group. Concerns about the condition of the Mausoleum emerged in 2013 and an informal group including the National Trust for Scotland, the NESPT, Aberdeen University and concerned local residents was established to find a way of conserving the building. Determining ownership was an early, vital step. In 2014 the NESPT commissioned Genealogy Scotland to search for any surviving members of the Fraser family. The conclusion was that there were no living relatives and consequently the mausoleum had no owner. For the next four years the NESPT petitioned the Registrars of Scotland for ownership of the mausoleum. This was finally successful in 2018, but only after the condition of the building had deteriorated significantly. The building has been inspected and monitored by a Design Team led by David Chouman, Conservation Accredited Architect, since 2013. The building has been letting in water for many years and the structure is saturated. Many of the internal memorials are badly affected by damp. A comprehensive programme of repairs is proposed, including re-pointing in lime mortar, repairs to the glazed oculus and domed roof, removal of vegetation, repairs to the doors, specialist repair and conservation of the memorials and the installation of interpretation. It is proposed to cover the building for at least six months to give it a chance to dry out. The estimated cost of the capital work is around 140,000 GBP(excluding fees and VAT). Financial support has been indicated by Historic Environment Scotland and an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund is in preparation.