Sun, 29 Jun 2025 22:00:40 -0700WeeblyMon, 30 Jun 2025 02:19:35 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/inveruglas-isle-and-the-almshouseWork at Inveruglas Isle is scheduled for September.  Historic Environment Scotland (HES) independently surveyed Inveruglas Isle in 2022 and recommended specific tree work to protect the castle in 2023.  Based on our work with HES at Elanvow since 2012, HES approached the EVPF team to perform the preservation work.  The Duncan Family have given their permission and support.  Our archaeologists and tree surgeon visited the island in March and again in May to plan the preservation work.  The intent was to minimize impact, to preserve the castle for future generations, and to preserve the magical environment that the castle is set within.  

Historical Environment Scotland will join the team in September to help guide the work. Major items include the removal of the fallen trees on the west wall, removal of the large tree in the center of the southwest tower, and coppicing/reducing the large trees in the east wall to minimize potential future damage.

Plans are being published for feedback from the full Macfarlane community.  Although HES prescribed an aggressive program of cutting at Inveruglas Isle, they have respected the team's recommendations and have been willing to modify requirements.  We would like to get feedback from the community so that we can work with HES to incorporate that feedback where reasonably possible.
]]>Sat, 31 May 2025 14:23:55 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/may-updateThe full team of Fiona Baker, David Connolly, Hana Kdolska,and Liam Mackenzie visited Inveruglas Isle on May 6 to finalize plans for September tree work.  In consideration of the nesting birds, only very minor trimming/cutting was done and the focus was on confirming the cut plans and getting consensus on impact assessment. That was accomplished.

The team also visited Island I Vow to plan future cleanup work.  The sign was cleaned and maintained.

​A sub-team visited Cruit a'Phuirte and viewed the exposed stones of the potential almshouse and visited Cean Mor for the first time.


]]>Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:50:09 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/inveruglas-beginsOn March 18th, David Connolloy of Connolly Heritage Consultancy and Liam MacKenzie of Liam MacKenzie Tree Specialist Services went out to Inveruglas Isle.  All of the tree cuts recommended by Historic Environment Scotland were reviewed. Based on the on-site evaluation and the joint expertise of the team, a number of adjustments were made to the cutting plan and the method of operations.  We are now ready for any minor cutting in May that can be done without disturbing nesting birds and to continue to evolve a conservation plan.  More major cutting will be scheduled for September after the nesting season.

I also traveled out to Elanvow to check on damage from Eowyn.  There were two trees down to the northeast of the tower and several large branches down.  Notably one large branch was down and resting on old yew hanging off the northeast side of the island and we need to get the weight off that old tree.   In 2023, we consciously left the large root balls from two overturned trees in place as windbreaks.   Those have been overturned for at least 30 years and had substantial packed dirt and root material forming a solid wall on the west of the island.  After Eowyn, those root balls are decimated.  It seems they took a good bit of the brunt of the storm.


]]>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:12:28 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/mid-march-visit-plannedBased on our relationship from work on Elanvow, HES approached us to potentially do the work they recommended for Inveruglas Isle.  Our proven, Scottish-American team was granted and successfully completed six Scheduled Monument Consents.  We have submitted an application for Scheduled Monument Consent for Inveruglas Isle and are soliciting feedback on the proposal from HES and all interested parties.

We have a visit planned mid-March, 2025.

More to follow.]]>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:06:45 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/happy-hogmanay-2025The Hogmanay Trip was very productive as well as very enjoyable.

I arrived in time to enjoy Hogmanay at The Village Inn in Arrochar followed by a relaxing New Year's Day.  I had very enjoyable walks with friends from Arrochar and based the rest of the trip in Helensburgh.

I had a very nice lunch with the Duncans and caught up on what's been happening in the area and with them.  They also indicated their support for proposed Inveruglas work.  An application for Scheduled Monument Consent was submitted earlier this month and we hope to do some work in May and September.  Natural Heritage will need to be considered in planning our start.  More to follow on the proposed work.

We also spent good time with our tree surgeon, Liam MacKenzie, and his boys.  With the help of his colleague, Colin, we resawed some of the yew salvaged from Elanvow for use in future sgian dubhs, boxes, etc. (hopefully to raise funds for additional work).   We worked with CBP here in The States and successfully imported a small batch of yew.

I also had a great visit with Paul Hodgkiss of Hodgkiss Designs.  That is always an energizing exchange and we progressed the processing of the elm salvaged from Elanvow in 2013. 

2025 is off to a good start!]]>Sat, 28 Dec 2024 18:31:30 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/happy-hogmanayTravelling on the 30th and arriving the 31st.]]>Sat, 30 Nov 2024 17:17:17 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/hogmany-it-isA visit is now committed for Hogmanay through January 6.   We hope to clear the way for future work, process some of the reclaimed Elanvow wood to prepare it for import, work on the Arrochar Heritage site, and continue to contemplate a heritage center location ... as well as to visit our good friends!]]>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:29:21 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/thanksgivingConsidering a visit for Hogmanay and processing of wood recovered from the island.]]>Sat, 05 Oct 2024 21:58:41 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/fall-preparationsWe will begin preparing the application for Scheduled Monument Consent for initial work on Inveruglas Isle.   This will allow the teams to move quickly to meet any schedule requirements if there is a decision to proceed.]]>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:24:09 GMThttp://ellanvhow.org/elanvow-preservation/long-term-planningWe would still love to do some preservation work on Inveruglas isle and will continue to work with HES and John Duncan to see what might be possible.   Chris Barrowman of HES has provided their recommendations for tree work and we will begin working on the SMC applications in anticipation of future work.]]>