A bequest from a beloved Moray businessman has rescued a project to reinvent one of the region’s most historic landmarks.
Whisky industry stalwart David Urquhart died of cancer last November, while plans to repair 13th-century Kinloss Abbey – and ultimately operate it as a tourist attraction – were beginning to take shape.
However, the scheme was recently cast into doubt when Moray Council said it could no longer cover the costs of making a tower attached to the Grade-A listed building safe.
The tower needs to be steadied before any investigation into improving the site can be carried out, and the Kinloss Abbey Trust was faced with the prospect of having to raise thousands of pounds themselves to pay for the work.
However, members were elated when they learned Mr Urquhart had left them more than £10,000 in his will.
The trust described the bequest, which has enabled them to kick-start regeneration works, as “an amazing surprise”.
The group is aiming to transform the crumbling ruin into a vibrant visitor attraction over the coming years, and use it to teach visitors about the area’s “dramatic” past.
They said Mr Urquhart, who is buried in the abbey’s graveyard, was a huge supporter of their plans.
Chairwoman Kirsteen Mitcalfe said: “Mr Urquhart wanted to make the abbey a nice place, and secure its future.
“But when we learned he had left us so much money, that came as an amazing surprise.
“He supported a lot of causes across Moray when he was alive, and for his legacy to continue even now is wonderful.”
The group brought its funding appeal before Moray Council last September, after an assessment by Historic Scotland revealed bad weather could cause some of the landmark’s most recognisable features to topple to the ground.
The authority pledged more than £20,000 towards installing scaffolding around a rickety tower to ensure it remained upright.
But, once experts began to inspect the 850-year-old edifice, they realised it was in worse repair than originally envisaged.
Earlier this month, council leaders reluctantly decided they could not devote increased funds towards the repairs – even if it meant the imminent collapse of the ancient tower.
Administration members informed the Kinloss Abbey Trust that, if they wanted the scheme to progress, they would have to contribute an additional £6,000 themselves.
It was at that point they received word of Mr Urquhart’s posthumous pledge, which has revitalised their hopes.
The businessman’s widow, Sheila Urquhart, said her husband would have been delighted that the money was being put to immediate good use.
She added: “David thought long and hard about what he wanted to leave, and I think he would be really chuffed that this has come at just the right time.
“He was such a passionate man, and always thought of others.
“It’s great to think that the money he has left is doing such good.”
Improvement works are now being carried out by a Rothes stonemasonry firm, and the tower is expected to be safe within three weeks.
At that point, feasibility studies to determine the future of the ancient monument will be carried out.
Mr Urquhart, former managing director at Gordon and Macphail, died at the age of 63.
He helped the drinks firm blossom into a global powerhouse during his tenure at its helm.
He subsequently used his influence to boost Moray’s economy, and devoted his final years to helping expand the Piping at Forres extravaganza.