Change of plan for Inverewe projects

The Trust has confirmed that plans for a proposed viewing tower at Inverewe Garden have been halted for the time being.

The conservation charity will instead focus on the creation of the Garden on the Edge, an ambitious project to add to the garden’s ‘shelterbelt’ – planting trees to protect the garden from the harsh westerly winds and salt spray.

Inspired by the extreme pacific coastal landscape of Chile, with similar exposed weather fronts, it will look both out to sea and back over the shelterbelt and will be planted with trees such as araucarias and eucryphias which can grow well in wet maritime climates such as at Inverewe.

General Manager for the North West Clea Warner explains why the decision to pause was taken:

‘We’re sorry that we’ve had to take the decision to halt the tower project for the time being. Although planning permission was in place, subsequent investigations revealed ground conditions and other factors that would have taken the project well beyond the available charitable funds.

‘We have already invested millions of pounds in Inverewe through new features and wayfinding, the refurbishment of Inverewe House and refreshed catering facilities.

‘We are also about to embark on the “Garden on the Edge” – which opens a hitherto unexplored area of Inverewe through imaginative planting and landscaping inspired by Osgood Mackenzie’s herculean efforts to create a shelterbelt to protect the rest of the garden along with his experimental vision.’

The National Trust for Scotland has invested heavily in its sites this year, reopening Brodick Castle after a major programme of conservation works, refurbishing Glencoe Visitor Centre and building the pioneering Hill House Box, which protects the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece in Helensburgh.