The Clan Sinclair Trust is a Scottish

trust Trust often refers to: * Trust (social science), confidence in or dependence on a person or quality It may also refer to: Business and law * Trust law, a body of law under which one person holds property for the benefit of another * Trust (bus ...

which was formed with the main objective of rescuing and preserving

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland. It is considered to be one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair. It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe; ...

and of developing a visitor centre and library. Over the years, the Trust has raised substantial funds which have been spent on the castle including major works to stabilise the remaining building and on conducting major archaeological research which has resulted in highly important historical discoveries. The Patron is Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay. On 8 September 2022, the day that Queen Elizabeth II died, Prince Charles became King Charles III and remains Patron. The Chief Executive of the Clan Sinclair Trust is Sir

Malcolm Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness Malcolm Ian Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness, (born 3 November 1948), is a Scottish Conservative politician and member of the House of Lords as one of the remaining hereditary peers. He is also 20th Lord Berriedale, 15th Baronet, of Canisbay, C ...

and

John Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso (born 10 September 1953), known also as John Thurso, is a Scottish businessman, Liberal Democrat politician and hereditary peer who is notable for having served in the House of Lords both before and a ...

and Euan Sinclair are

trustee Trustee (or the holding of a trusteeship) is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, is a synonym for anyone in a position of trust and so can refer to any individual who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility to t ...

s. The Trust's 2006 Financial Statement reported that in April of that year "the Trust acquired Noss Head Estates Limited, a privately owned company" with a generous donation from Niven Sinclai

and his cousin Sandi Sinclair Pershing from the US. The purchase was from Ian Sinclair and Joan Burton and comprised 35 acres of land a
Noss Head
together with two houses and outbuildings. Ian Sinclair was to continue to live in the house on the land in Liferent (Scots law), life-rent with his partner Joan Burton and a lighthouse situated there remained the property of the

Northern Lighthouse Board The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) is the general lighthouse authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is a non-departmental public body responsible for marine navigation aids around coastal areas. History The NLB was formed by Act of P ...

. The Trust advised in 2009 that it hoped to establish a clan centre when funds permit. In 2014 Ian Sinclair died. His partner made best efforts to maintain the six core buildings in the lighthouse station, two of which are Grade A Listed. However, the circumstances were not ideal and a decision was taken by the Trust to sell the lighthouse buildings and 35 acre part of the estate. To that end, on 23 May 2017, the Clan Sinclair Trust sold the Noss Head Lighthouse Station to Unique Property Bulletin Ltd., a not-for-profit entity whose subscribers seek to renovate and maintain lighthouse buildings. The funds released by this sale augmented the reserves held by the Clan Sinclair Trust. Some of those funds were deployed so that the Castle Sinclair Girnigoe could be further stabilised from deterioration. In addition, access improvements were made so that it was and is safe for members of the public to visit the castle.

References

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External links

The Clan Sinclair Trust website
Heritage organisations in Scotland

See also

References

External links