Rait Church: Conservation Repairs 2016/17 Welcome to Rait Rait Church has been an important site for almost 1000 years and has witnessed many key events in ’s past. The monument consists of a medieval parish church serving the population of Rait, identified as an independent parsonage in 1274, and recognized by the Bishop of St Andrews around 1395. The church was abandoned in the 17th century when Rait was incorporated into the parish of Kilspindle. The remaining ruins lay in a fenced off graveyard and form a rectangular plan 20m E/W by 6.4m N/S over walls 0.80m thick. Although in a ruinous state the church is a very valuable community asset and is still used as a burial ground for local people. It is hoped that by securing the monument the community can continue to use the site and enjoy the important history it holds. Conservation Programme The building has suffered for many years from ivy and tree damage which has taken root in the wall heads and walls themselves causing damage to the structure. Members of the local community have helped keep the ivy down since 2009 and in 2016 Perth and Heritage Trust applied to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for grant funding to help with emergency repairs to the monument and to safeguard it for future generations. The site is a scheduled ancient monument and is considered of national importance. HES have given their consent for the works to be undertaken and will monitor to ensure. Rait Church, before ivy clearance in 2009

Rait Church, before ivy clearance in 2009 Rait Church, Local volunteers begin to clear the site in 2009

The task of vegetation removal was mainly undertaken by the local community led by Heritage Trust. The next phase of works includes the repair of the wall heads, fixing any unsecure areas of masonry, repointing in lime, repair of the lintels as well as laying down geotextile and gravel in the interior. The hope is to have this work completed in Spring 2017 when the site will be safer to visit and enjoy.

NOTES Funders This project is being delivered through the Tay Landscape Partnership scheme whose lead partner is Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. The conservation repair work and all additional specialist costs is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the scheme partners and match funded by Historic Environment Scotland. We are very grateful for the support of the local community and their help in managing vegetation prior to the current repair work. The Tay Landscape Partnership is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, The Gannochy Trust,

· The Cross Trust, Perth and Kinross Council, Esmee Fairburn, The Robertson Trust,

· · · Perth and Kinross Council. ·

· · Contacts Should you require any more information your main contact is Sophie Nicol, Historic Environment Officer for the Tay Landscape Partnership. Email: Sophie. [email protected] Tel: 01738 477027 If you have a concern about the building or have noticed something amiss the main contractor in charge of the buliding works is Billy Traill, Tel: 07767 640 036. s

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DO NOT SCALE THIS DRAWING r T D E F Proposed Plan 1 · ALL DIMENSIONS AND LEVELS TO BE CHECKED ON SITE SCALE DATE · DISCREPANCIES TO BE REPORTED TO @RCHITECTS SCOTLAND LTD. BEFORE PROCEEDING e rchitects 1:25 @ A1 April 2016 t principle designer of the delivery conservation repairs. DWG NO. · IF IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT INFORMATION ON THIS DRAWING@RCHITECTS SCOTLAND LTD. r CAD FILE DRAWN BY C THIS DRAWING IS COPYRIGHT OF @RCHITECTS SCOTLAND LTD. a 1148 WD 09 C 1148 GM h C @ For more information about the Tay Landscape Partnership and the other projects Rait WD09.pdf- large size by Graham Mitchell, @rchitects being delivered by this scheme please go to www.taylp.org