Cottage upgrade given royal seal of approval
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PRINCE Charles was "absolutely delighted" with the £100,000 restoration of two former flagstone workers’ cottages in Castletown.
The prince unveiled a plaque to officially open the cottages on Monday at the start of his annual holiday in Caithness.
He previously paid a private visit to the unoccupied houses in 2009 shortly after they were purchased by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust.
At that time the properties had been unoccupied for over half a century but they have been carefully restored and have retained some of the traditional features, including an original fireplace, box bed and flagstone floor.
The transformation impressed the prince who was shown round the cottages by Ros Kerslake, the trust chief executive, and project adviser Pauline Megson.
Ms Kerslake said: "The prince was absolutely delighted to see what has been done with the buildings and to hear about the traditional techniques which were used to preserve as much as possible of the original cottages."
Prince Charles – who is also known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland – was particularly impressed by the box bed and the old fireplace as well as the rebuilding of the dry-stone dyke at the entrance to the houses which were built in 1890.
The prince suggested flagstone fences could be incorporated into the garden area to define the boundary – an idea which is to be taken up by the trust. "We will probably do that in the next few months," said Ms Kerslake.
She revealed the cost of the conversion was just over £100,000 and hoped the work could become a blueprint for other similar projects. Ms Kerslake felt the money represented "a good investment" as it saved the cottages which could otherwise have been lost.
She explained that some work on the kitchen area and one of the windows still has to be finished. The initial timescale for completion of the project was the end of August but the opening was brought forward to coincide with the prince’s holiday.
Work was being carried out on the properties very late on Sunday evening to get them ready for the royal visit.
They will be used by members of the prince’s charities as well as the North Highland Initiative when members are working on other projects. The buildings will also be available for holiday lets.
The refurbishment delighted two local women who remember people living in the properties.
Sheila Coghill, who now stays in Murkle, used to stay next door. "What has been done here is great. The transformation in the buildings is fantastic," she said.
Bettine Mackay, who still lives just across the road from the cottages, was "very pleased" with what the trust has done.
"What a difference. It is lovely to see the properties restored and looking so lovely," she said.
Earlier, the prince, who was presented with a pen made by Martin England from an old piece of timber from the properties, was introduced to a number of local dignitaries and people involved in the project.
After leaving Castletown, Prince Charles travelled to Wick harbour and later visited Sibster Farm, Wick. On Sunday he attended Keiss Church.
The prince is expected to be at the Mey Games on Saturday and attend the service at Canisbay Church on Sunday.
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