Raasay Summers

Well where has it all gone?

Nearly August already. The summer has flown by to this point with us all being really busy trying to make something with our lot.

As you know we are running our courses from Borodale Hotel and the "ARC" (activities resource centre) at North Drive. Although there are slight difficulties with this they have as yet proven to be able to beat us!

We have had a fantastic summer weather wise and as such we have been running all activities almost without weather hold up. "Oigh Niseach" was brought into the little pier for the first time the other night as wild weather was forecast.

The other main thing that has happened to us is that Kirstin, Greg and Amelia have headed back to start life in Australia. Although it was planned for a couple of years it is a bit of a void for us now that they have gone. It is amazing how much they must have carried about in their heads as now we are having to do what they did and are struggling a bit! Greg where is........? Kirstin, can you.......? Never mind we'll get there.

Here is wishing them a fantastic, well earned life in Oz.

Thanks for all your help over the last few years and heres till next time

Lots of Love The RaasayTeam

Raasay House Open Again!!!!!!!!

Raasay House is open for business once more. Since the fire in January 2009, we have been working out how best to provide outdoor activities, accommodation and the Raasay House experience to our clients. We are now delighted to announce that we managing the Borodale House Hotel, just next to the House, and can offer accommodation, good food and outdoor activities.

The café is open from 10am to 5pm daily and evening meals are available on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. For more information call us on 01478 660266 or email us at info@raasay-house.co.uk Freya, David, Lyn & the Raasay House team look forward to welcoming you to the Borodale House Hotel. Keep on checking the blog for the latest news, and details of special activities and events.

(Borodale House Hotel, Isle of Raasay)

RHCC newsletter

Below is the latest newsletter from the RHCC, Raasay House community Company, who are our landlords.

News letter February 2009.

Since the fire on 18th January, the board of Raasay House community Company has been working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Raasay Outdoor Centre and the contractors, ROK, to ensure a future for Raasay House. The situation is very complicated, but the board is determined that Raasay House will be rebuilt with the aim of leasing it to Raasay Outdoor Centre, as originally planned.

The House
We have recieved a prelimanary structural report on what remains of the House, which shows that it requires a considerable amount of structural work, including dismantling some areas to make it safe to enter. Approximately three quaters of the house has been left roofless and it has now been fenced off the the public and site security has been implemented. Listed building consent has been applied for to allow structural work to go ahead.

Forensic investigations inside the house cannot take place until this work is complete, but the police advise us that as far as they are concerned there are no suspicious circumsatnces. Once remaing parts of the building have been supported, discussions will take place with insurers and Hostoric Scotland to identify the way forward. Planning permission will then be sought and rebuilding will take place. We hope that it will be possible to use at least the facade of the original building.

HIE
HIE has made it clear that they intend to support Raasay House Community Company throughout the long process ahead. The HIE baord met the day after the fire and discussed it at length. Willie Roe, Chair of HIE, visited the island the week after the fire and met with representatives of RHCC and ROC to reassure them that HIE would help in whatever way thye could. HIE will remain as developers for RHCC throughout, but RHCC will ensure that it is consulted and involved at all stages.

Raasay Outdoor Centre
RHCC's top priority is to ensure that the rebuilding project sticks to a realisitic timeframe, to ensure that ROC has a building in which to base itself as soon as possible. In the meantime the board will assist ROC by leasing the new building on the north drive which wasundamaged by the fire and is now nearing completion. It provides showers, toilets, office, workshop and storage space and it is hoped that Raasay Outdoor Centre wil be able to make good use of it to help keep their business running during the time the house is rebuilt.

Site Security
The grounds around Raasay House, including the Walled Garden, are part of a secure site. Members of the public are not permitted within the sealed off area for health and safety and security reasons. We would be very grateful if all residents and visitors to the island would keep away from the site.

Thanks
The board of RHCC would like to thank everybody for the many messages of sympathy and support recieved after the fire. They would also like to thank those who have given practical help, particularly Raasay Fire Brigade who did such a good job in difficult circumstances.
An AGM is planned towards the end of March which will also serve as a public meeting to give more information on progress and plans.

Raasay House Phoenix Fund

We are still reeling from the fire which has devastated Raasay House and destroyed most of the interior of this historic building. As many of you know, Raasay House had recently been bought by the Raasay Community and was nearing the end of a 4 million pound refurbishment project that had transformed the old mansion. The big house had been transformed with new bathrooms, en suite rooms, full central heating, new kitchens, bedrooms, public rooms and office space. It was due to reopen in April 2009 as a spectacular venue for outdoor education, activities, holidays, special events and conferences.

One part of the project which escaped the flames was a new website which we have decided to launch soon anyway. During the difficult times ahead it will serve as a reminder of what is an amazing place Raasay House and the wonderful Raasay experiences that we planned to offer in the future.

What will happen now? It is very early days and there are many hurdles to overcome but this tragedy is bringing the community together in a fantastic spirit of determination and resilience:

Raasay House will be rebuilt. HIE, the builders ROK, and the Raasay House Community Company are committed to overcoming this massive setback and rebuilding the house

We want to find a way of operating on a temporary basis this season so that as many as possible of the people who have made bookings with us for holidays, school groups, special events and parties can still enjoy the Raasay House experience

We are sorting out the logistics of how this could work and will give you more details as soon as possible

Keep up to date by visiting the website and our blog

What can you do to help?

We are in urgent need of immediate financial assistance to help us keep on operating until the house is rebuilt by our landlords; the RHCC (Raasay House Community Company).

We have set up an on-line donation system for any of you who would like to support us. If you would like to contribute to the Raasay House Phoenix Fund, please click on the link below, or you can send any donations via post to Raasay House, please make any cheques payable to Raasay House Phoenix Fund.

Any amount, however small, will help to safeguard the future of the business within Raasay House.

A big thank you to everyone who has already donated to the Raasay House Phoenix fund, you don't know how much your support means to the island, the house and the business.


If you are able to offer practical assistance of any kind, please send us an email at info@raasay-house.co.uk .

THANK YOU

The Raasay House Team.

Letters of support

Just a quick update to say thank you to everyone for the support they have shown us after the devastating fire at Raasay House.

We are still trying to work through the loss and are working closely with RHCC and HIE to find best path to rebuilding the house.

Below are some of the letters of support we have received from the local primary school students.

After the Fire

It is now Wednesday and after a few meetings, I have found a minute or two to get some photos to you.

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of support that has been shown, from all over the world, to our little setback.

Raasay House is looking a bit poorly,but, all those who have been involved with the project are so positive about resurrecting the house. At the moment, until all the investigations have taken place, no-one really knows the timescales or forms that this will take. We have every intention of overcoming this and in due course will be back welcoming people to the house and island.

Hopefully, you can relate to the photos and although sad just now, they bring fantastic memories flooding back to you.

View from chapel NE of house

East Wing from Walled Garden

RH from path to "wee pier"



Central part of house from garden( majestic chimneys)



Room 4


Reflective gaps!



RH from bottom of lawn


A newly revealed fireplace above the "Alpine dorm"



"Alpine Dorm" debris from east above coal cellars



"Butlers room" and building plaque from the Woods time



Looking into the dining room


Room 11 from east


Chimneys as never seen before



Fireplace in "Blue Lounge"(note the tiles are still there)



Cafe, Rooms 3 and 4, Wooden Lounge and Office



Wooden Lounge, small dining room,(stove) Black stone stairs are behind the brick buttress(note banister balustrades) baths from the on-suites in foreground


Dolphin cafe fireplace


Back office(l), Room 5(r)


Looking through the office(u) Wooden Lounge(d)


Wash up Scullery(note debris)


Fireplace in wooden lounge


Cornicing (note sash chain)


A melted window weight from one of the big front windows


Front entrance porch through towards main staircase


Front entrance


In reflective mood

(Looking into a smoke stained library)
the West Wing has survived vitually untouched


Thank you to all who have helped, got in touch, offered their services both now and in the future.

You really don't know how much we appreciate it.

David,Lyn, Freya and the team

A sad day for Raasay House.

It is with a heavy heart that I am typing this update for you all.

Unfortuntately a major fire broke out in Raasay House at approximately 1.15am this morning.

Details are scarce at the moment but we will update you all as soon as we can.We are sad and shocked by what appears to be a devastating fire, but with our usual brave spirit and optimism we will look to the future.

Regards

The directors and staff of Raasay House.

Nearly on the final home stretch

We all hope that everyone had a great Christmas and a happy new year.

After a 2 week break for the Xmas period the works on the house are back on again. You can really see the difference that all of the work is making to the house. The roof has finally been finished, apart from a tiny bit of lead work. The scaffolding has started to be dropped and we can now see Raasay house again.

The builders have almost finished the east wing internal works and have sealed off some of the rooms so they don't get damaged while they finish the rest of the House. The majority of the work is now in the central and west wing of the house. With the the builders concentrating on filling in all the odd holes in walls, finishing off the wiring of the rooms, connecting all of the radiators, final stage plumbing and sanding back all of the floor and final stage. Still a lot of work to get done but every day sees another job or room completed.

Scaffolding dropped and flagstones repaired.

Stair well leading to east wing.

Staff east wing almost finished and sealed off.

Staff East wing landing.

Balcony window being re-instated.

New railing at east wing fire escape.

Back of house.

Main dining room.

Bathrooms installed.

Pedestrian area being readied for cobbles.

Scaffolding being removed.

New car park and bin store at east side of house.

Central wing corridor.

Lathe plaster walls in the new bar area.