Historic Kilbride is a tour topper for USA visitors

Historic Kilbride is alongside Edinburgh Castle and Iona on a top must-see list for American tourists.

 

Thanks to a contract with holidays venture Overseas Adventure Travel, the charity will have welcomed USA visitors on 120 guided tours by the end of this summer.

 

Money from the tours goes towards renovating the site in Lerags Glen.

 

"attachment_775333" "" "300"] Candyfloss and smiles at Historic Kilbride's 2022 open day. KG_T35_Kilbrideopenday01

 

"attachment_775339" "" "300"] Historic Kilbride open day on Sunday, August 28.
KG_T35_Kilbrideopenday03

 

Friends of Kilbride are currently fundraising for the final phase of renovation of the Prayer House and have a £60,000 target to reach.

 

Sunday saw an open day to help boosts funds which will pay for work involving stabilising and building part of the south wall - the final phase of the four-stage renovation project.

 

Although costs for the final phase were originally estimated to be £40,000, the charity expects the final bill will now be higher because of inflation and price impacts on building materials.

 

Costs of scaffolding and professional fees for the project's conservation architect Shauna Cameron and archaeologist Dr Clare Ellis also have to be paid.

 

Friends of Kilbride chairman Seymour Adams said the charity is over halfway towards its £60,000 target, with funding commitments from the PF Trust, Caraig Gael Wind Farm Community Fund and the Clan MacDougall Society of North America.

 

'We're also waiting to hear the outcome of a bid from Historic Environment Scotland, which funded Phase 3,' he added.

 

The contract with Overseas Adventure Travel is set to make a significant contribution to the costs of Phase 4, said Mr Seymour.

 

Historic Kilbride is open seven days a week for people to explore, admission is free but donations are welcome to help funding on-going works.

 

Visitors can make a donation here www.gofundme.com/f/preserving-historic-kilbride

 

Kilbride has been a site of Christian worship since at least the 6th century. The Chiefs of Clan MacDougall, one of Scotland’s oldest, are laid to rest there, along with some 300 others from all walks of life.