A centre dedicated to commemorating one of the most famous ships in history could be created in its designer’s Mearns hometown.
Plans to create a Cutty Sark museum in Inverbervie, the home town of the ship’s creator, Hercules Linton, have gained a major boost in the form of a “sponsorship package” by Fotheringham Property Developments.
Now, the team behind the project are getting the ball rolling on establishing a “virtual museum” in the form of a website which will inform the plans for a finished building in the community.
The Cutty Sark Museum would also offer an insight into several fascinating facets of local history – including Robbie Burns’ family ties with the Mearns.
Mr Linton was born in Inverbervie in 1837, and his vessel – which had the reputation of being the fastest sea clipper in the world – was launched in 1869.
The Cutty Sark Project is being managed by Mearns Heritage Services (MHS).
The website would include information, design, audio links, graphics and photography to inform the final design and size of the building.
The group has also been working with Bervie, Glenbervie and Auchenblae primary schools on the Cutty Sark Project, with youngsters coming up with a number of ideas on how the museum could take shape.
The Cutty Sark Museum Project’s director, Dave Ramsay, said there had been a “groundswell” of interest in the history of the area.
He added: “I think, over the last few years, there has been an upsurge in interest in heritage, and people are beginning to realise if we don’t do something about that, [we’ll lose it].
“There is a whole integrated story to tell. And again, we are linking it with the three schools, they have been working on projects since last summer.
“They are producing wording for panels telling all the different elements of the story.”
The plans are for the virtual museum to go live on May 15.
