Community / Douglas tasked with leading Halligarth development
THE NATIONAL Trust for Scotland has appointed a project development manager to steer the next phase of its Halligarth project in Unst over the next 18 months.
Shetland-based construction specialist Stewart Douglas will take on the role with the charity, working with the local community, and contractors, conservators and stakeholders, to renew the conservation activity and visitor experience at the B-listed Halligarth House and its gardens.
The concept for the refreshed project is to use the concept of Halligarth’s citizen scientists, the Saxby and Edmonton families.
This local dynasty of physicians and natural scientists wrote and published works on the birds of Shetland, as well as pioneering conservation work.
It is something of a step-down from previously mooted plans which involved a visitor centre with cafe, which were not deemed to be sustainable.
The National Trust for Scotland’s operations manager for Canna, Fair Isle and Shetland Sheona Leonard said: “With Stewart appointed as our new Project Development Manager on Unst, the National Trust for Scotland looks forward to moving forward
with our plans to conserve Halligarth House and the wider estate, engaging with the local community and other stakeholders as part of that process.
“Moving this project forward will support our conservation objectives but also improve interpretation of the wider estate. We are excited about the next phase of our work to protect it and look forward to sharing it with locals and visitors to Unst.”
Douglas added: “As a regular visitor to Unst, it’s a privilege to be able to contribute to the island’s development through this new role, helping to protect its cultural and natural heritage and make it relevant to more people.
“With a career spanning almost 45 years in the construction industry, it’s exciting to use my expertise to work with the National Trust for Scotland to conserve this historic house and its surrounding landscape.”
Unst Community Council chair Claire Priest said the group is “delighted” that the National Trust Scotland has recruited to the development officer post.
“We look forward to inviting Mr Douglas to a future meeting and learning more about how the community council can assist with moving the Halligarth project forward,” she said.
Halligarth House and Gardens, and other properties in the estate, lie on the edge of Baltasound and were gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 2000 by the Sandison family. The estate includes the British Isles’ most northerly woodland.
Halligarth was established in 1832 by Dr Laurence Edmondston, a medical practitioner and renowned ornithologist.
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