Adventure Details
EXCURSIONS, IMMERSION, AND OTHER FUN
Take the ferry to the Isle of Bute where you’ll experience amazing coastal views and historic sites such as Mount Stuart House .
Explore the Duke of Argyll’s castle in Inveraray.
Enjoy an evening at the local pub.
Project Instructor
Eland Stuart
Eland Stuart is a master at saving Scotland’s built heritage. He has taken historic cottages from rubble back to their charming original configuration. Eland has a degree in Archaeology from the University of Glasgow. He also trained with the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA), building in dry stone rubble with no mortar, and gained expertise with lime at the Scottish Lime Centre.
Eland gained a Masonry Conservation qualification with Historic Environment Scotland and the Stonemasonry Department at the College of Building and Printing in Glasgow. He is a talented instructor, taking volunteers from novice to confidence.
Project Partners
Dunans Castle Ltd is committed to creating a sustainable business that contributes to the betterment of its local community. All profits are invested in restoration of the site, running the company, improving employment opportunities, and making a positive impact on the community as a whole.
Through its actions, Dunans Castle Ltd aims to improve local facilities and work with local partners to improve economic opportunities. Importantly, Dunans Castle is also committed to addressing the identified problem of access to cultural events in the area, specifically theater, cinema and museums.
Cost per Week*
DBL Rm US$1990 | SGL Rm +US$400
*Costs are per person.
Discounts!
Join us for one adventure in preservation, and you’ll receive a 10% discount on all subsequent adventures.
Additional Cost Information
Your fee includes:
Ground transportation between Glasgow Airport & Dunans Castle
Lodging during your session
Meals from dinner on Saturday of arrival through breakfast on day of departure, except meals on excursions
Excursions
Instruction from on-site expert
All participants are responsible for:
Travel to Glasgow
Visa if required
Meals during excursions
Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage. Send AiP proof of purchase.
DUNANS CASTLE
GLENDARUEL, COWAL PENINSULA, SCOTLAND
Targeting Telford’s Great Arch
Dates: August 30 - September 27, 2025
Learn hands-on conservation skills as you repoint bridge stonework in the central arch of the Telford bridge and support sustainable tourism in Scotland.
Argyll in late summer is beautiful, with colors changing and miles of amazing coastline. In the midst of this sits Thomas Telford’s 1815 bridge leading to Dunans manor house and “castle”.
As you cross the bridge, you’ll see the results of five years of hands-on conservation by AiP jammers. Working with masonry conservators, jammers have completed all but the Great Arch, and now is the time!
Gather at the Great Arch and join efforts to complete conservation of this unique A-listed bridge!
Conservation of the Central Arch
Dounens was noted by cartographers as far back as 1590, with Dunans becoming the home of the Fletcher clan around 1725. Architect Andrew Kerr transformed the manor house into a mock castle in 1864, which was largely destroyed by fire in 2001. The remarkable A-listed Telford bridge was built in 1815 and has provided access to the site since.
After working for five years to repair and conserve the walls and domes along the roadway and complete repointing of two arches, the goal in September is to take on repair of the central arch and complete it in four weeks.
This will further the plan to bring the castle back for public use, with community event spaces on the ground floor and self-catering apartments on the upper floors to provide a sustainable future. AiP jammers will work with Eland Stuart, learning the art of repointing with lime mortar and applying their skills to complete conservation of the bridge!
Repointing work will be on scaffolding under the bridge arch, accessed by ladders.
When the sun comes out, we’ll walk the woodlands with Charles Dixon Spain and learn about his efforts to combine the fight against climate change with development of sustainable tourism.
This might be the perfect opportunity for you!
“This was the perfect combination of adventure, travel, architecture, history and learning a trade from an expert. A great hands-on opportunity. ”
Lodging and Meals
Lodging is at Tighnariddon located on the shore of Loch Riddon, a spectacular sea loch just 10 minutes from Dunans. Tighnariddon has two self-catering cottages, Shelduck Cottage with 3 ensuite bedrooms on 2 floors; and Teal Cottage with two ensuite bedrooms. The isle of Bute is nearby, where we’ll tour remarkable historic sites.
Delicious meals are prepared by a caterer, with meals largely made from local produce and meat. Lunch is served at the work site, and dinner served as a group meal at Tighnariddon. Breakfast food is provided for jammers to prepare. Options for vegetarians are provided upon request.
Schedule
Each week, we will have 1 ½ days of touring and 4 1/2 days of learning and working on the bridge. Work begins at 9:15 am with a discussion of the day’s tasks and demonstration of skills as needed. There are breaks for tea and lunch; work ends about 5pm.
An itinerary will be provided once you register.
Come to Scotland with AiP – travel, learn and preserve as you support this valuable social enterprise!
“Eland has been an excellent instructor. He is a delight to work with, extremely patient, very knowledgeable and encouraging.”
Costs
Your project fee of US$1990 per week covers the cost of lodging in a double room, meals, excursions (meals on excursions not covered), materials & training, and transportation to and from Glasgow Airport. If you prefer a single room, an additional single supplement of $400 per week will be added to your fee.
Travel Details
If flying to the project, book your flight into the Glasgow Airport (GLA). Airport pickup is provided on Saturdays – August 30, September 6, 13 and 20. Arrival time at the airport must be prior to 3pm on Saturday. Those already in Glasgow will meet for lunch as we wait for everyone to arrive.
The shuttle leaves for Dunans at 3pm. Pickup is also available at hotels in the historic center of Glasgow if you arrive early and spend Friday night in the city. Saturday dinner is the first meal provided at our lodging and included in your fee.
Rental cars are available at the airport for those interested in having their own car. Drive time from Glasgow Airport to Dunans Castle is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Airport drop off is provided on Saturdays – September 6, 13, 20 and 27. Drop off is at 11 am, so schedule your departing flight accordingly.
Weather & Packing
September in western Scotland brings equal chance of sunny mild days or rainy days. We’ll look for sun and plan for rain. Daytime highs average around 68°F with lows averaging about 45°F. Midges largely disappear by mid-September. Insect repellent with Picaridin will be provided if needed.
Rain gear is essential. Plan to bring waterproof/water resistant shoes, and waterproof jacket and pants. A waterproof hat may be helpful in addition to the jacket hood.
It can feel quite chilly working outside, so consider bringing sweaters to go under a down vest and/or down jacket. This can go under your rain jacket. Sturdy close-toed shoes are required. You may want to dress up a bit for visits to the village and other site seeing, but plan for comfort.
A packing list will be sent once you register.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to chat with an AiP staff member about joining this cultural heritage experience, contact us at trips@adventuresinpreservation.org or call us at +1 303-444-0128.