A Scottish Registered Charity SC 014803
About the Dalrymple Donaldson Fund
The Dalrymple Archaeological Fund was set up under the Will of James Dalrymple Gray of Dalrymple of Woodhead, Kirkintilloch, who died in 1908. In 1994 the Fund received a large bequest from the estate of Professor Gordon Donaldson, former Historiographer Royal, who was formerly a Trustee. In recognition of this bequest the name of the Fund was changed to “The Dalrymple Donaldson Fund”.
The purpose of the Fund is to make Grants out of income for “the judicious restoration and repair of buildings of historical and antiquarian interest in Scotland, England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece but especially in Scotland”.
The Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees – three of whom represent the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and three of whom represent the Glasgow Archaeological Society. Additionally there was one member representing the Scottish Ecclesiological Society as long as it existed. The present Trustees are –
Professor Ian Campbell, Chair Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Professor Richard Fawcett, Secretary Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Mr. Dale Bilsland, Glasgow Archaeological Society
Mrs. Susan Hothersall, Glasgow Archaeological Society
Dr. Anthony Lewis, Glasgow Archaeological Society
Dr. James H P Macaulay, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Trustees meet annually in December to consider grant applications. Grants awarded are then paid on commencement of works. During the year to 30th September 2015 Grants totalling £15,500 were made to –
Ardeer Church, Stevenson
Bothwell Parish Church, Bothwell
Cambo Heritage Trust for Cambo Stables
Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh
St. Joseph’s Church, Blantyre
Further details may be obtained from the Fund Secretary (see contact details below).
Applications require to be submitted before 31 October in the year preceding start of work.
Guidelines for Applicants
The fund is a Trust set up initially under the will of James Dalrymple of Woodhead, Kirkintilloch who died in 1908. Its purpose is to use the annual income of the Fund to make grants to assist in the judicious restoration and repair of buildings of historical or antiquarian interest. The Fund is administered by six Trustees, three appointed by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and three by The Glasgow Archaeological Society. Several eminent archaeologists, ecclesiastical and architectural historians have served as Trustees, including the late Professor Gordon Donaldson who bequeathed a large part of his estate to the Fund, significantly increasing the amount of money available for distribution as grants. In recognition of his contribution, the Fund became known as the Dalrymple Donaldson Fund in 1993.
Over the years assistance has been given to a wide range of projects, usually in cases where local initiative has deserved encouragement and often where money was forthcoming from other sources as well. While large schemes involving well known prominent buildings such as Provands Lordship, Glasgow or Loudoun Hall in Ayr have been aided, help has also been given to small scale projects beyond the means of local communities in remote and thinly populated areas.
Only buildings that are of historical or antiquarian interest are eligible for grant aid.
To enable the Trustees to reach soundly based decisions, it is important that applicants submit sufficient information both on the building for which assistance is sought, and on the works that it is proposed to undertake. This information should include a description of the building, copies of relevant literature (such as guidebooks or appeal leaflets) an adequate range of photographs and copies of architects' drawings illustrating the works to be carried out. It should be made clear if the proposed works are self-contained or part of a larger programme. If they are aimed at a significant change of use of the building it should be explained what that change will be.
The Trustees are bound by the terms of the legacies and can allocate grants only for structural repairs and restoration work. Grants cannot be made for new building work such as the provision of additional toilets or disabled access, and work on interiors of buildings such as re-decoration and re-wiring is not deemed eligible.
In cases where large scale repair and refurbishment projects are planned, it could be that part of the work to be undertaken would be eligible and applications would be considered by the Trustees. In such cases it is advisable to outline the extent of the project and give details, including costings, of the part of the scheme for which a grant is being requested.
Grants can be made towards work to stabilise and consolidate buildings that are ancient and ruinous.
Refurbishment projects that would damage or destroy original features of the building would not be considered eligible.
The Trustees would normally expect applicants to carry out the work with the guidance of an architect accustomed to conservation work, and preferably with conservation accreditation.
The Trustees meet in December to decide on the allocation of grants for the following year. In order to make the best possible use of the limited money available, it is necessary to know which projects are likely to start within the following twelve months and to this end it is often helpful to know what other funding is in place. Grants cannot be given retrospectively.
Because the Trustees try to help as many eligible applicants as possible, grants are usually relatively small – in the region of £1,000 to £5,000 – and it is assumed that they will be part of a larger funding package. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their applications at the end of December. Grants offered are “live” for 12 months and become payable as soon as work starts.
If the start of work is delayed it is essential to keep the Fund's Secretary informed as the grant allocated may be carried forward into the next year, at the discretion of the Trustees. If no information from the applicant is received by the Secretary within 12 months, the award allocation will be deemed to have lapsed.
Applicants should contact the Secretary as soon as the extent of the work is known, plans have been prepared and costs estimated. A brief outline of the building's history should be given together with a full description of the work requiring to be done. Photographs of the building should be supplied, together with copies of the architect's plans.
All questions in the application form must be completed with as much detail as possible. It is not acceptable to enter “see other paper or document”.
The Application form should be sent to the Secretary by the end of October of the year preceding the start of building work. It will be copied and circulated to the Trustees for their information in advance of the December grant allocation meeting.
Image credit: Gordon Donaldson by Henry Raeburn Dobson, and used with the permission of – The Old Haa Trust, Burravoe, Yell, Shetland
Application Form
You can download an application form by clicking here (PDF). Please contact the Vice-President for an address or further details.