The Clan Sinclair Trust is a Scottish
trust
Trust often refers to:
* Trust (social science), confidence in or dependence on a person or quality
It may also refer to:
Business and law
* Trust (law), a legal relationship in which one person holds property for another's benefit
* Trust (bu ...
which was formed with the main objective of rescuing and preserving
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe and of developing a visitor centre and library. Over the years, the Trust has raised substantial funds which have been spent on the castle including major works to stabilise the remaining building and on conducting major archaeological research which has resulted in highly important historical discoveries.
The Patron is
Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay. On 8 September 2022, the day that Queen Elizabeth II died, Prince Charles became King Charles III and remains Patron. The Chief Executive of the Clan Sinclair Trust is Sir
Malcolm Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness
Malcolm Ian Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness, (born 3 November 1948), is a Scottish Conservative politician and member of the House of Lords as one of the remaining hereditary peers. He is also 20th Lord Berriedale, 15th Baronet, of Canisbay, ...
and
John Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso
John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso (born 10 September 1953), known also as John Thurso, is a Scottish businessman, Liberal Democrat politician and hereditary peer who is notable for having served in the House of Lords both before and a ...
and Euan Sinclair are
trustee
Trustee (or the holding of a trusteeship) is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, refers to anyone in a position of trust and so can refer to any individual who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the ...
s.
The Trust's 2006 Financial Statement reported that in April of that year "the Trust acquired Noss Head Estates Limited, a privately owned company" with a generous donation from Niven Sinclai
and his cousin Sandi Sinclair Pershing from the US. The purchase was from Ian Sinclair and Joan Burton and comprised 35 acres of land a
Noss Head together with two houses and outbuildings. Ian Sinclair was to continue to live in the house on the land in
Liferent (Scots law), life-rent with his partner Joan Burton and a lighthouse situated there remained the property of the
Northern Lighthouse Board
The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) is the general lighthouse authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is a non-departmental public body responsible for ocean, marine navigation aids around coastal areas.
History
The NLB was formed by ...
.
The Trust advised in 2009 that it hoped to establish a clan centre when funds permit. However, Ian Sinclair died in 2014 and in 2017 the site at Noss Head lighthouse was sold. Funds released by this sale augmented the reserves held by the Clan Sinclair Trust. Some of those funds were deployed so that the Castle Sinclair Girnigoe could be further stabilised from deterioration. In addition, access improvements were made so that it was and is safe for members of the public to visit the castle.
See also
*
Clan Sinclair
Clan Sinclair ( ) is a Highland Scottish clan which holds the lands of Caithness, the Orkney Islands, and the Lothians. The chiefs of the clan were the Barons of Roslin and later the Earls of Orkney and Earls of Caithness.
The Sinclairs are be ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
The Clan Sinclair Trust website
Heritage organisations in Scotland