HomeOchtertyre Mausoleum
The parish church of Monzievaird was burnt down in 1490 or 1511 (dates given differ) during the Massacre of Monzievaird, the culmination of a violent blood feud between the Murray and Drummond families. The mausoleum for the Murray of Ochtertyre family was erected on the site of the former church. The Trustees of the Castle Cluggy Charitable Trust have turned their attention to the Ochtertyre mausoleum, namely by commissioning a full survey to determine the extent of any necessary repairs. Built in 1809 for the Murrays of Ochtertyre on the site of the old Monzievaird Parish church, the building is now derelict, with many of the stained glass windows missing and the door boarded up. It is on the Buildings at Risk register. Of course, funds are limited and the approach is to take steps generally restricted to keep the building wind and weather-proof and safe from collapse, or action to prevent vandalism or theft, i.e. "the minimum measures immediately necessary".
The Trustees of the Castle Cluggy Charitable Trust felt that they have done enough on Castle Cluggy for the present and agreed to turn their attention to the nearby Ochtertyre mausoleum by commissioning a full survey to determine the extent of any necessary repairs. The architect's condition survey report; drawings; and photographic survey documentation includes the following:-
Section 1) Introductory Notes;
Section 2) General Description of Ochtertyre Mausoleum;
Section 3) Architectural Condition Assessment and Recommendations (including Summary of Architectural Condition, Recommendations for immediate works to be carried out, and Recommendations for medium-term action within the next three years;
Appendix A: Annotated Architectural Survey Drawings;
Appendix B: Structural Survey Report and Recommendations;
Appendix C: Ground Level Photographic Survey Images;
Appendix D: High Level Drone Photographic Survey Images.
For the next stage of the project, the architect's concept plan drawings would show the extent of the proposed works to be carried out, and a fee proposal has been provided for these next stages, but the trustees need to discuss the extent of works (if any) they might like to consider once they have had a chance to read the report.
SUMMARY: Generally, the building is in a satisfactory condition. There is no sign of movement, subsidence or distress to the walls, nor are there any signs of bulging which would indicate progressive or ongoing failure. The roof structure, this being of brick arch, appears to have retained its shape, with no sign of flattening which would be indicative of failure. The roof's inner curve or underside of an arch was very damp and there was significant mortar loss and staining. It is suggested that some immediate actions should be taken, say within the next 12 months, e.g. strip all vegetation from the building, including the roof, and treat the surfaces with a suitable herbicide; install a new waterproofing roof covering, this to suit the requirements of the historical listing. Medium term action, say within the next 3 years, would see suitable windows that match the requirements and sensitivities of the historical listing installed to finally make the mausoleum wind and watertight; slab stone lifted and the underlying bearing strata either removed or compacted and/or new, suitably graded and crushed rock be brought in and compacted.