A major conservation project is about to start on one of the Isle of Bute’s most important historical buildings.
Work will begin on the Bute Family Mausoleum at Rothesay High Kirk today, Monday 27th October and is expected to last some six weeks.
The mausoleum is currently on Historic Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register.
The mausoleum’s historical significance stretches far beyond the shores of Bute. The fact that it is the final resting place of the 3rd Earl of Bute – the first Scottish Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – makes it of national importance.
John Stuart, who lived from 1713 to 1792, served as Prime Minister under George III from 1762 to 1763. He was the first Scottish Prime Minister following the Acts of Union in 1707.
Stuart was an interesting character. He became the favourite of George III, who made him Secretary of State in March 1761, with the intent of using Bute to dislodge the grip of the Whigs on power. He also hoped that Bute might engineer a peace with France in the continuing Seven Years’ War.
Running from 1756 to 1763, the Seven Years’ War was the world war of its day, involving Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines.
Bute then became Prime Minister in May 1762 and resigned in 1763, after 11 months.
The first question raised by this simple fact is the reason for the brevity of the Stuart tenure as Prime Minister.
He was extremely unpopular, because of his nationality – with the 1745 Jacobite Rising still fresh in the mind, with its associated distrust of the Scots south of the border; because of his being the King’s favourite and having his ear; and because of some of the actions he took.
As Secretary of State, he got rid of William Pitt, who had masterminded England’s effective strategy in this war. AS Prime Minister he achieved his master’s wish and brought about a peace with France and Spain, signing the Treaty of Paris in February 1763 – another move that did not go down well with the people at home.
Known as ‘Jack Bute’, Stuart was caricatured as ‘Jack Boot’ during the row over his imposition of a Cider Tax as part of the effort to recoup the huge costs of the Seven Years’ War. Cider producers declared they would rather let their apples rot on the ground than pay the hated new tax.
The Cider Tax came into force in the Autumn of 1763 but Bute was gone by then, resigning in April 1763, before he had completed one year in office. He died almost 30 years later, in 1792, after falling 28 feet down some cliffs.
In office, Stuart had nevertheless achieved both of the outcomes George III had hoped to see from his elevation. The power of the Whigs was broken and peace with France was agreed.
The mausoleum at the High Kirk in Rothesay was built for the Bute family. However, following the construction of Mount Stuart the Family [Shore] Chapel superseded the Mausoleum as the final resting place of the Bute’s. It is intended that the Chapel will undergo a similar restoration programme in the very near future.
Alistair McIntyre, Head of Buildings and Facilities at Mount Stuart Trust, saiys: ‘This late 18th century building has long been recognised as being of national historical significance, and this comprehensive programme of works will ensure that it is preserved for the foreseeable future.
‘The extensive conservation and stabilisation works to be undertaken over the next few weeks will include stone, render and roof repairs, with the specialist conservation contractors and local sub contractors paying particular attention to the original architecture and detailing throughout the structure.
‘The mausoleum has for some time been the subject of restoration proposals and after extensive consultation with conservation architect, Brian Park of Page\Park, Mount Stuart Trust is very pleased to embark upon this important conservation project’.
Glasgow architects, Page\Park, are also responsible for the design of Mount Stuart Trust’s Masterplan Phase 2.
Once the project has been completed, the mausoleum will be removed from Historic Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register.
