KILMARTIN House Museum has paid off its mortgage and founder’s loan after a successful appeal.
Last year, the museum launched their 10th Anniversary Appeal, aiming to raise £100,000 to pay off the museum’s development mortgage and founders loan.
Early repayment of these historic debts would place the organisation in a much more secure financial footing for the future and save around £70,000 in interest payments over 18 years.
The Fund had a tremendous boost late last year when an anonymous donor came forward with an offer to match pound for pound whatever the Museum raised to a total donation of £50,000.
Staff and volunteers set to work a number of fund raising activities throughout last year, including the Glasgow Women’s 10K run, a Christmas carol singing event and a Ceilidh as well as appeals to the local community and a number of charities and trusts.
To the museum staff’s great surprise, all the funding required was raised, and last week museum staff paid off the mortgage and founders loan.
Kilmartin Museum Director Dr Sharon Webb said: ‘As ever, I am touched and grateful for the help and support we received during this appeal, especially from the local community.
‘Many people, including the children of Glassary and Kilmartin Primary Schools gave their time and resources to help organise fund raising events. Numerous people including many ‘Friends of Kilmartin House Museum’ made personal donations to the fund for which we are most grateful.’
Dr Webb added: ‘I would also like to thank the following Trusts and charities for their generous donations: the Craignish Trust, the Gannochy Trust, Mrs U.H.V Goschen Charitable Trust, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Charitable Trust, Mrs Anna Younger’s Charitable Trust, the Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust, the Kilfinan Charitable Trust, Sam and Pricilla Brown Trust, the James Wood Bequest, the EA Timson Family Trust and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
‘Also, a big thank you to the Anchor Hotel, Tarbert, the Cairnbaan Hotel, Fyne Living Lochgilphead, the Grey Gull Hotel Ardrishaig, the Kilberry Inn and the Kilmartin Hotel for generously providing prizes for the Ceilidh raffle.
‘Finally of course, we wish to extend a big thank you to our anonymous donor.’
