May 2023: Ímar and more!

With Megan Henderson coming hot on the heels of Rura and then being followed up by supergroup Ímar, April was a busy month with contrasting styles and different audiences.  These concerts demonstrate the flexibility and capability of St Margaret’s to cope with a variety of events and cope well!  Each event tests not only the facilities within the building but also the talents and willingness of our team of enthusiastic volunteers.  Whether it’s a conventional stage setting or a central stage, whether the audience is static or up dancing, whether one or two bars are required, the combinations and demands on the team are endless.  But in the end they always rise to the occasion and it all works out.

It's probably too easy to forget that while St Margaret’s provides a wonderful setting for these concerts, that to an extent they work despite the building’s condition rather than because of it.  We now have a storage container, generously gifted to us by Greenwell, sited behind the building to house chairs and tables when not in use.  We send audiences across the main road to Castleton Hall for toilet facilities and areas around the building are fenced off for fear of falling masonry.

The St Margaret’s Trust, working together with owners Historic Churches Scotland over the last twelve years, has built up a reputation for bringing high quality events to Braemar and has created another reason for people to visit this stunning part of the country.  But all this is in danger of being lost if the building cannot be saved.  Funding applications are being prepared for submission to the principal national donors such as the National Lottery and Historic Environment Scotland but building prices are rising at an alarming rate and the challenge facing us is increasing.

Your continuing support and encouragement for the project is very much appreciated.

Next up is American country star Suzy Bogguss on Saturday, May 27. Get your tickets now!

Brian Wood,

Chair,

St Margaret’s Trust