Unique Property Group: Project 81
The Sannox Hotel
Renovating & Re-Opening Another Closed-Down Building
Number of Jobs Created/Reinstated 11 (Hotel) + 4 (New Village Shop
This old, closed hotel is likely the most challenging project that the Unique Property Group have undertaken, during its 33 years in existence.
The dilapidated buildings were purchased on the 28th February 2018. Our group policy was and is adhered to resolutely and as a result of the first charity formed (here). The primary rules, thankfully helped ensure the project weathered three events, all of a force majeure category.
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28 February 2018
we listed the Burgh Island Hotel at £15,000,000 we received a few texts and phone calls asking if that vast number was correct as it seemed a wee bit enormous! Afraid so. The Burgh Island Hotel is absolutely gorgeous, but it does come at a price. So today, we thought it might help to show part of the ethos from Unique Property Bulletin since we started buying some of the more interesting properties in 1997 (and ever since).
Here is our Sannox Hotel project on the Island of Arran.
At the time of writing (28th June 2026) the Sannox Hotel renovation is 90% complete and we are on target to open the hotel (and new village shop within the Planning Permission) thanks to the 2 new ferries built for the island of Arran, MV Glen Sannox and MV Geln Rosa, along with four newbuild ferries which have now started to arrive from the Cemre shipyard. The MV Isle of Islay is already on service and MV Lochindaal next, with the MV Claymore after that. The final “big” unit is the MV Lochmor III. This new ship…
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… is very close to our hearts as we bought the previous MV Lochmor II ferry from CalMac in 2001…
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The reason for our purchase of MV Lochmor II was to start a warm-up service between one of our former director’s routes between Argyll and Antrim. Later we will narrate the ships our earlier director commissioned, the MV Sound of Islay and MV Sound of Jura, along with the harbour he built at Kennacraig and port he reconstructed at the Island of Islay Port Askaig ferry terminal. Including the building of new linkspans at both harbours.
But an irony just now is we are seeking to buy back our old ferry, MV Lochmor II to run alongside the Sannox Hotel. From Russ McLean’s time growing up at the Blackrock House Hotel, the amenity of boat hire and larger boat tours added 15% to hotel occupancy rates.
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The addition of our old MV Lochmor II to the renovated Snnox Hotel should help to make the holiday occupancy rates and staff jobs much more resilient. Especially after the utter hammering of the hotel industry during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sannox Hotel, Island of Arran, KA27 8JD
By 1999 the Unique Property Club had become so successful we turned it into a Public Limited Company (PKC). That was the most appropriate legal way to do these things back then. One of the main principles that has helped a huge amount is we BAN mortgages on an and all of our buildings.
So each one is 100% owned by the members.
We have 4 places if you fancy owning a room.
Some member of this project are aiming for a sort of holiday home where they can spend a few weeks in the summer and winter, whilst enjoying a useful rental income when not there themselves re themselves.
Sannox Hotel, Island of Arran
Grass Getting Cut.
You Can Also See The New Roof on The Hotel
A good aspect of Hotel-Room-Ownership is that the dreaded holiday-home curse is avoided. That is where folk from the mainland come to an idyllic island and buy up local houses at inflated prices. These are often left empty for 9 months. Local islanders are then priced-out of the property market. This is as popular locally as a skunk at a picnic and is why we were determined to find a solution. That is what Hotel-Room-Iwnership seeks to remedy.
Sannox Hotel, Island of Arran
The Views Are None Too Shabby
Instead, with the Hotel-Room-Ownership principle: “Fullshare Not Timeshare”, you have a delightful place to stay on the island that is asset-backed and it helps keep a valuable local amenity open.
Sannox Hotel, Island of Arran
The Major Renovation Is 90% Completed.
Planning Permission: Click Here.
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Sannox Hotel
Some Renovation Photos of
Before & After
The first thing to be replaced and/or overhauled was the roof. We had a wonderful professional roofing contractor. Though before we started to make good, there was a lot of hard physical labour to remove the old, leaky and rotten roofs, especially all of the flat roofing.
Sannox Hotel, Island of Arran
The New Roofing Was Vital.
There is no point in spending a lot of time, effort and money renovating the hotel below the roof until that crucial part of the building is renewed…
^^ Just A Drip ^^
But The Result Underneath Causes Horrific Damage.
This is where the island of Arran excels. Good folk come to help. One was the fine gentleman whose family used to own the Sannox Hotel (many years ago when it was called the Ingledene Hotel). Peter was immediately handed a safety helmet after the photo of his enthusiasm was taken.
^^ Peter’s Family Used To Own The Hotel ^^
Our friend really helped with lot of heavy lifting stuff.
Especially appreciated as one of our team
was awaiting spinal surgery.
After the joists needing replaced were sorted out, the new flat roof was installed. We are very lucky in thatthe Northern lighthouse Board (NLB) helped us at one of our more weather-exposed buildings. So the new roof should last 20 years rather than the received wisdom of 15 years.
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof Renewal ^^
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof Renewal ^^
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof Renewal ^^
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof Renewal ^^
There was a lot of flat roofing to sort out. Then the pitched, slate roofing. Finally it as time to look at the damage down below, underneath all of these leaks and drips during 5 years of being closed…
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof ^^
The damage did not look too bad!
But our Unique Property Club and the directors/shareholders at Unique Property Bulletin plc (now Unique Property Bulletin Ltd) have been project managing these building renovations for over 25 years. So we kind of had a good idea this was a job where the floors needed uplifting and the floor joists required thorough inspection(and replacing or in some cases for high quality original components, just the regular wood integrity treatment.
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof ^^
Of a job is worth doing, then do it properly and completely!
In the final analysis, it is very comforting knowing that after the new double glazing has been installed throughout and a huge amount of high-specification insulation material added to the renovation work…
^^ Sannox Hotel Flat Roof ^^
New Roof. New Ceiling Insulation. New Double Glazing. New Wall Insulation. New Floor. Proper Paint Retardant Plasterboard Deployed. Full Rewire. New Central heating. Full Rewire. New Fire Alarm System.
That was definitely hard work. But we are starting to see the benefit with one of the three main restaurant/tea-rooms nearing completion…
^^ Sannox Hotel ^^
One of Three Restaurant/Tea Rooms.
Very Close To Being Ready For Re-opening
It may not seem like a lot of work for just some leaks and drips on the roof. But please be careful yourself when buying a building. Don’t settle for an RICS report waffling on bout the surveyor not being able to gain access. Insist upon a thorough structural report so you can budget for the renovations properly.
^^ Sannox Hotel ^^
Freshly Painted Walls Have
A Huge Amount of Renovation
Behind & Above Them
At the Sannox Hotel, to get to this juncture where we are just awaiting the new flooring and restaurant furniture to be installed has taken a significant amount of effort. Please forgive us showing you several “before” and “after” photographs. Whatever unique property you look at buying, we would prefer you did so with your eye wide open and sufficient funs in place to see the job completed.
=> There are 44 different rooms in the Sannox Hotel and EVERY ONE has required a thorough overhaul similar to this one room.
In order that our readers and especially Unique Property Club adventure brigade can get a good idea of the whole building, we also include “before” and “after ” photos of…
SANNOX HOTEL
EXAMPLE OF GUEST BEDROOM RENOVATION
BEDROOM 5
Rather than have 44 pages to cover each renovated room (8 bedrooms + public rooms + restaurant + tea room + shop etc), this page features the transformation of just one of the several completed guest bedrooms (all are ensuite). We forensically show the work with this example: Bedroom 5. It looks like an ordinary bedroom. It is. But completely renovated and you may be surprised at how much work is invested in each of the rooms at Sannox Hotel.
^^ Guest Bedroom Number 5 ^^
^^ All Structural Work Now Completed ^^
Carpets & Furniture Next on The List
All Bedrooms Have An Ensuite Shower Room & WC.
When our plumber was installing the new hot water and central heating systems, we began to notice how thorough and careful he was. Here are the new boilers for Sannox Hotel half way through installation. There is something elegant with the visual appearance.
=> Also, this system is a lot more efficient.
Plus we put several thousand pound worth of insulation and new double glazing into Sannox Hotel (before the fuel price crisis). That decision was very fortunate as it will help maintain the economic viability of the hotel. Also, warm guests tend to come back and stay at the hotel on a yearly basis. Especially the pre-season boost for Arran when for 4 weeks, most of the major universities send their geology students to the island as part of their geology degree courses. This is because Arran has a very broad spectrum of geological structures within the rocks!
This really helps hotels + B&Bs get off to a good start. In fact, our Managing Director was brought up on the Island of Arran in a hotel along at the next village…
He can attest that herds of geology students get very wet in Spring and they really like warm hotles where they can get dried off. Woorth noting that decades later, many of these students are now geology lecturers or highly respected professional in their field. As a reult of good expperiee whenn they were students, many come back to the Isle of Arran every year.
isven
^^ Almost A Work of Art ^^
We love this.
Even if you are in a rush, just skim through the photographs on this page and you will get the idea! We are approximately 90% complete as at May 2023. The final Building Warrant authorisation took a while as this is a complicated project. For example, the statutory paperwork requires to be kept fully up to date: Sannox Hotel Building Warrant…
: click here).
=> The aim is to open Sannox Hotel during the course of this year, 2023.
The roof on bedroom 5 has been thoroughly overhauled (as have all the roof segments). This and many other rooms have been enlarged. New walls; new floor; new plumbing; new central heating; new rewiring; new fire safety system (fire head still to be fitted to the ceiling pyro-cables which you can see in the next photo). New double glazing. New doors (all fire rated with intumescent strips).
^^^ Guest Bedroom Number 5 ^^^
The cables at the ceiling are the new
fire safety system heads being installed.
Neutral colours are currently on the walls. Plaster protocols observed.
The managing director had borrowed Bedroom 4, across from bedroom 5 whilst onsite. For this page, we literally have a guest appearance of another completed guest bedroom to show you how close to re-opening this building is...
^^ Guest Bedroom Number 4 ^^
Carpets Underlay & Furniture Next on The List
All Bedrooms Have An Ensuite Shower Room & WC
All freshly and thoroughly restored.
^^ Guest Bedroom Number 4 ^^
Bedroom 4 is one of the ones with a “poor view”. Though, even the bad-view-rooms (and all hotels have them) are none too shabby…
^^^ The View From Guest Bedroom Number 4 ^^^
We are delighted to show (briefly) the other completed hotel guest bedrooms. Over at bedroom number 1, we did have new carpets fitted as our specialist contractors needed a few hours kip before catching the early morning ferry back to the mainland…
^^^ Aft Deck: MV Isle of Arran ^^^
We have made strenuous efforts to keep all contracts and work on the island.
But for specialist contracts, such as the bespoke double and triple glazing units, there are no manufacturers on Arran, and it helps to be able to keep these visiting work colleagues safe during lockdown.
Crucially, we can make best efforts keeping the island safe in case someone comes over from the mainland that is asymptomatic, but carrying the crappy-virus (all travel and building materials delivery/installation are within the pertaining rules), but it can happen.
The best policy is to keep a physical distance and barrier between contractors and islanders. Which is why we arranged temporary onsite beds for these brilliant gentlemen and ladies of the glazing industry…
^^^ Guest Bedroom Number 2 ^^^
We simply ensured that visiting mainland contractors did not mingle with islanders during the Covid pandemic. Our mainland contractors are billeted in the actual hotel to avoid passing the virus onto islanders. Our policies on this are very strict and they work. An outbreak on one of our mainland sites was prevented due to our Covid safety protocols: here.
^^^ Guest Bedroom 2 & Its Ensuite Bathroom ^^^
On a local level at the Sannox Hotel, sadly we have had to suspend our policy of showing neighbours and visitors around the hotel as the restoration progresses. This is for everyone’s safety during covid.
^^^ Guest Bedroom Number 1 ^^^
This is a sample of where we are with the guest bedroom renovations
^^^ Guest Bedroom 1 & Its Ensuite Bathroom ^^^
The best views in the hotel are from bedrooms 1 & 2…
^^^ Guest Bedroom Number 1: The View ^^^
The view from guest bedroom number 2 is similar.
The pandemic has caused so many businesses a challenge and the least we can do is provide free accommodation for those VIP contractors who go out of their way to help us renovate Sannox Hotel and in the long run, help create new jobs.
We are lucky to be able to provide free accommodation to the VIP contractors as there is no debt nor mortgage on the building.
We have been very fortunate in that it is our group company policy to ban mortgages on any of our buildings and prohibit bank debt. Partly to do with the founder of our Argyll Group plc losing a good friend to debt-suicide (here).
As there are no mortgages on any of our hotels nor indeed any of our shops, offices, garages nor factories, we can afford to help the good folk who have been helping us during these strange Covid times.
Added to this business policy banning debt from our buildings, this helps ensure a very strong liquidity and cashflow position , this has stood us in good stead for many years.
We would heartily recommend this way of running your business if or when you are able to go mortgage-free for yourself.
If you think about it, your ownership of a house + hotel + village shop could reach the stage where in the future you might consider leasing the hotel and shop at the date you choose to retire. That means a very useful addition to your pension income.
We have seen this at various times over the past 33 years re-opening closed shops/hotels/offices/factories. It is an excellent way of helping the next generation get started in business whilst making sure your generation have more than £82 per week state pension to survive on (£137 maximum IF you meet ALL the criteria which many haven’t: here).
Also the way the State Pension AGE that you can retire keeps getting moved towards 90 years (here), the more and more folk are taking matters into their own hands. Owning an income-producing property such as Sannox Hotel + Village Shop may mean you can retire at 60 and not 75 years of age which is the direction of government travel right now.
No apologies for digressing to pensions and banks as these are two parts of everyone’s life can cause much misery. Yet both have cures that are within your reach.
If you look at the hard work that has already been completed for you at Sannox Hotel ~ just view the photos to the end of this page and maybe the next set of pictures, you have the opportunity to stamp your own design preferences on this building and then map out a way where you can escape the clutches of the banks and retire earlier than might otherwise be the case.
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SANNOX HOTEL
An example of the…
“BACK TO BRICKS” RENOVATION
When we bought the Sannox Hotel in 2018, it was well overdue a major renovation.
There are 42 rooms in this building (click here).
Every one has, or is being fully renovated. Our planning application to increase the number of guest bedrooms from 3 to 6 was approved by North Ayrshire Council (here). Rather than have a 44 page brochure, we are including one guest bedroom. Bedroom number 5.
^^^ Bedroom Number 5 ^^^
Located at the back of the Sannox Hotel
Here we have a fairly straightforward set of…
“before” + “during” + “after” photos…
As always, we start with the roof. Getting rid of the leaks and any wet-rot is a very important priority. Fortunately the hotel is clear of dry-rot. In fact there was remarkably little wet-rot.
First the nasty looking bit underneath the damp patches. The coloured lines drawn on this set of photos were to help complete the long list of back-to-bricks work as Covid arrived and more “remote working” has been required. Especially in terms of the main Schedule of Works. Here is one example of roof replacement/repair…
^^^ Roof Above Bedroom 5 ^^^
A Picture Paints A Thousand Words
The source of the damp was an old chimney and a dilapidated earlier repair work. When hotels are open and running, they are notoriously difficult in having repair remedial work completed between guests moving in and out. Often it can end up a make-do-and-mend approach. If that happens to leaky roof areas, it risks becoming a problem. Fortunately, this was caught in time and repaired to a reasonable standard, including a heavy gauge lead throughout the roof repairs.
^^^ Bedroom 5 ^^^
An example of the work completed on each of 44 rooms.
Please note: this hotel is a SIX guest bedroom property. Plus a new staff bedroom and of course the new owner’s house with a double bedroom included there.
In total 8 bedrooms.
The 44 rooms refers to the entire hotel, including public rooms, the new village shop, the restaurant, and the tea room etc.
This is not just a narrative about selling a hotel that we own. There are useful points within this experience from which other readers, friends and colleagues can benefit.
The fact that there is no debt, no mortgage and a positive cashflow with 100% shareholder ownership means we can easily afford do do the remedial jobs when they come up; and to do them properly.
It is well worth our friends and colleagues reading this to consider ways in which you can become clear of mortgage and debt as soon as possible.
REPAIRS & RENOVATIONS
Our experience from 33 years doing this is whenever a building requires remedial work, then it doesn’t actually cost that much more to do the job properly.
The previously installed zinc valleys and roof fittings don’t do well in salt air. We really prefer lead. Yes it is a little bit more expensive, but we have a fantastic roofer and the enjoyment of seeing a job done well, with high-quality materials is a pleasure to behold. Knowing the pesky leaks have been cured is hugely reassuring.
Here is the roof above bedroom 5 after new wood + treatment + new lead and tiles were…
COMPLETED
We Have Been Lucky With Securing A Decent Roofing Contractor
Exceptionally Talented With The Leadwork
Inside also began to take shape once the roof leaks had been properly cured…
^^^ Bedroom 5 Drying Out ^^^
After Leaky Roof Was Fixed
Just looking at these photos makes the entire crew at Scotslion shudder.
Multiply this by four dozen rooms!
Then multiply that again! By four walls plus a ceiling and floor for each of the 44 rooms.
That is an mind boggling 264 building surfaces and that is before we factor in a new rewire and central heating and plumbing…
New insulation will make the hotel economically more viable as it will be less expensive to heat.
^^^ Freshly Plastered Walls ^^^
Of these 44 rooms, there are 176 walls requiring fresh plaster and 44 ceilings. The total was at least 220 surfaces. But as you can see, some walls have three or four angled and parts with “character“. A plasterer’s dream job!
These numbers may help inform our prospective buyers of the works undertaken at Sannox Hotel.
Buying a “lot of bricks for little money” is an attractive proposition when comparing commercial property prices with residential, but it is wise to factor in the renovation costs and crucially make sure you leave yourself a contingency reserve for last minute things It’s all worth it in the end as bringing one of these buildings back to life is very enjoyable.
The old floor was repaired and new floor boards installed where needed. Then to ensure a high quality carpet adhesion and durability, a marine ply wooden overlay was installed.
Brand New Bespoke Double Glazing
All up to fire regs, and building control regulations.
The red pyro-cable hanging from the ceiling is a new, state-of-the-art regulation fires system being installed.
This Is The New Bedroom 5
There is a new ensuite bathroom and private w.c., too.
Plus 44 more rooms.
Every one has had a significant amount of work invested into it.
Bedroom 5 Awaits New Carpet & Bedroom Furniture.
Hopefully these “before” and “after” photos of are helpful and reassuring to prospective buyers.
A great deal of effort has gone into this 44 room building and we are keen to see it re-open.
Just a little bit sad that it won’t be one of our directors doing the honours and managing the place when the re-opening time happens.
Worth mentioning at this point the actor Richard Wilson spent a lot of time in his youth at the Sannox Hotel. It used to be called the Ingledene Hotel and that is what Mr Wilson recalls it as.
We understand it may be possible to have Mr Wilson preside over the re-opening ceremony. That’s if he is still answering his old dog and bone…
^^^ Mr Wilson Used To Spend His Summers At Sannox ^^^
At the Ingledene Hotel. This was the
previous name of the Sannox Hotel.
Our company, Scotslion and our shareholders from Argyll Group Private Equity (formerly Argyll Group plc) are well able and keen to complete the renovation if the new buyers wish us to.
Or we can amend the final sale price if the new buyers wish to complete the finishing touches themselves. In which case we will look at reducing the final price accordingly.
Sadly, we just no longer have a sufficiently able bodied director able to manage the hotel once it is re-opened.
That is unfair on visitors and locals. Hence our decision to find a new owner who is up to the challenge that this triumvirate of home + job + hotel + shop offer.
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If you have any questions, please…
TEXT in the first instance to: 0757 2768 795.
Thank you.
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Sannox Hotel + Village Shop + Owner’s House Details
NEXT PAGE
Click Here
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PLEASE CHECK BACK REGULARLY AS MORE PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED. CURRENTLY SANNOX HOTEL IS A "WORK-IN-PROGRESS". WE MAY "PAUSE" AT 85% COMPLETION ONCE THE BUILDING IS PAINTED AND LANDSCAPED SO THAT THE NEW OWNER CAN HAVE THEIR SAY ON FINISHING TOUCHES TO REACH THE 100% MARK AND RE-OPEN. YOU CAN KEEP UP TO DATE BY VISITING THESE PAGES FROM TIME TO TIME. THANKYOU.
brings back 12 jobs to the property aand in thi case a new village shop is opened (one of our other adventures is renovating shops and letting them out at affordble rents. By curtting out the banks, our shareholders get a decent return and the shops are usually 20% lower in rent than neighbourng propeties on the High Street (though in the Sannox Hotel example, there is spare room to house a village shop as a much needed rural facility where very few exist at the north-end of the island.
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i instance there was .
the right time to officiall
Hotel Room Ownership
Full-Share NOT Time-Share.
Located on a beautiful island.
Guide: £39,000.
Click Here
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Something Special This Way Comes
For the rest of this page, we have LISTED a SUMMARY of each spare part of property we have for sale as at May 4th 2023. The reason for clearing the decks is we intend to prove that ELECTRICITY BILLS CAN BE HALVED. Details at the end of this list. None of our buildings have any mortgage, so we should manage to raise sufficient funds to do what needs to be done to relieve up to 81% of folk in the country who are concerned about their electricity bills.
=> So that our loyal readers can get a heads-up and some advance notice, we are publishing this list at the earliest possible opportunity.
Each SHORT SUMMARY of the unique properties/projects will be expanded upon in the next few weeks; along with our regular updates of other unique property.
Without further ado, here is our…
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Major Unique Property Sale
Basic Summary List
This main page will help you with three things: (1). To see a way you can half your electricity bills and: (2). Maybe save a bit of the planet! (3). Help you find a unique home to live in…
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The first example above is FULLY DETAILED. Including the PLANNING PERMISSION + BUILDING WARRANT details along with TITLE PLANS and RIGHTMOVE links.
The remainder of property on this front page are SUMMARIES. We will be adding more fulsome detail during May & June 2023. However, to give our readers ADVANCE NOTICE we have listed ALL unique property we have coming up for sale.
=> We start in numerical order: From £14,000 to £950,000…
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As we complete the more FULSOME details for each unique property (as evidenced above this red text by a “click here” link), this line will descend down the page until ALL of the SUMMARY boxes have a link to the best expanded details we are able to arrange.
To make sure you do NOT miss any new details, please consider following us on social media…
Facebook: Click Here
Instagram: Click Here
Twitter: Click Here
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Alternatively, it might be an idea to check back to these pages regularly.
You can do that by Googling 3 words…
“Unique Property Bulletin”
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EARLY NOTIFICATION
Unique Property For Sale
The summary listings ABOVE this paragraph will have the FULL details added, including where appropriate, Planning Permissions, Building Warrants and links to Rightmove during May & June 2023.
=> This SUMMARY PAGE is to let our regular readers know what we are selling in our SURPLUS UNIQUE PROPERTY SALE.
We will be using the spare funds to build an ecological power generation station. This is to prove that it is possible to HALF the cost of electricity in the UK.
The ultimate aim is to build lots of these generator stations and all across the country.
The vast majority will be COMMUNITY OWNED. Typically for supplying electricity/heating for 50 to 500 local homes and businesses…
=> With electricity at HALF the current price.
=>Why?
=> Because as our first charity discovered, 400 people in the UK die of debt each year (click here).
When we manage to reduce the cost of electricity to affordable levels again, then this horrendous tragedy of debt-deaths should be reduced.
Hence our determination to get a move on. That is why we are uploading just the list to start and completing the full set of details for each item in the next few weeks.
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Not Time-Share
^ ^ This Is FULL-SHARE ^^
Click Here
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The Former RAF Balado
May Become:-
Tetris Village
Due to the interestingly shaped newbuild houses.
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Credentials
The directors selling off our spare unique property items and bringing together a significant amount of funding.
This is to launch a proof-of-concept ECO-POWER-STATION. Why? To prove…
ELECTRICITY BILLS CAN BE REDUCED BY HALF
Crucially it is important to prove that the directors and subscribers have undertaken projects of these magnitudes before and can project manage the newbuild of what will ultimately be a nationwide series of…
=> Community Owned Ecological Power generation Stations. Capacity for 50 to 500 homes/businesses for each station.
Both on a charity or not-for-profit/co-operative basis. For example, experience in charity registration and operation…
Charity Number 1.
Registered by Russ McLean in 1997.
^^ The First Charity We Registered ^^
It is a fact that in 2022 the BBC estimated…
81%
… of adults in the UK are worried about the Cost of Living Crisis.
(Source: Click Here)
Worse, the highly respected money-advice advocate, Martin Lewis C.B.E., reckons that in 2018…
100,000 people attempt debt-suicide
…in the UK each year
(Source: Click Here)
People Should NOT Die of Debt.
The details and bona fides of the first charity can be studied…
Click Here
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Charity Number 2.
Registered by Russ McLean in 2012
Now run by Mr Iain Sim.
As well as registering our Creditcare Money Advice Charity in 1996 (here), the owner of this website and managing director of Argyll Group registered a second charity in 2012.
It is important to note that the Friends of TS Queen Mary charity is now managed by the co-founder, Mr Iain Sim. Russ McLean had become disabled following spinal surgery. Please don’t mention this as he is none too keen on being see in the light of pity. Quite the opposite, we are able to mention this occasionally as at least three of our Argyll group shareholders have a disability and it is the hope at this end of the project, folk will begin into see that being disabled is can be overcome.
For the purposes of the eco-electricity power generation project, it is important to make full disclosure. Hence mentioning the spinal surgery.
^^ Founding Trustees ^^
^^ Russ McLean (middle) and Iain Sim (right) ^^
Fortunately, Russ has recovered sufficiently and whilst Iain always extends the grace of inviting Russ back to the trustees at the Friends of TS Queen Mary project, the limitations that managing spinal conditions bring about, mean it would dilute the workload and be less than the best help to the Friends of TS Queen Mary charity. This is very tempting when the progress of this charity is seen…
Indeed, Russ is looking to persuade Iain to join with the likely eco-energy project’s charity arm.
So far, Iain has had to decline. We recently lost one of our patrons, Robbie Coltrane…
Conveniently, Russ McLean lives close to the OSCR offices (Office of the Scottish Charity Commissioner). So, it is becoming a well work path between his house and office to the northern office of the Charity Commissioners.
Once the charity for TS Queen Mary had been registered, it was still a struggle to raise a funds.
At this point, we were very fortunate in having Robbie Coltrane join the charity as Patron. Fundraising was given a handsome boost…
^^ Robbie Coltrane ^^
Patron of the TS Queen Mary Charity
Robbie helped raise huge amounts of money for the Friends of TS Queen Mary Charity.
The friends of TS Queen Mary charity has been incredibly lucky as it benefitted from having two patrons.
This patronage cannot be over-emphasised. Robbie alone was raising £12 to £24 a time through “Cameo” video birthday messages and other video personalised content (generally here). The amount raised have been awesome. In excess of £18,000 a year which, given the disabling pain Robbie had been suffering, was a remarkable contribution.
With great comfort, the relationship has been a two way street. Robbie’s declining health meant he was unable to work on his beloved classic cars. It was distressing see each beloved car go for sale as the maintenance was beyond this kind man.
But when the patronage of TS Queen Mary came up, a sparkle was reignited in Robbie’s eye. This was wonderful thing to see. Robbie really got stuck into the engineering and plans as well as the fundraising.
Without funds, the ship would never have made it from our original rescue attempts when it was at risk of being scrapped in 2012. lease take a moment to study these numbers. This is pivotal to making a philanthropic wish into a decent reality…
^^ Friends of TS Queen Mary Charity Accounts ^^
Source: Click Here
It would, of course, be the height of bad manners not to mention HRH Princess Anne. These were very happy days as Robbie and the Trustees had yearned for the ability (and funds to transform the TS Queen Mary from just a static educational exhibit, to a fully functional and maritime legislation/port of registry compliant sailing vessel.
^^ Princess Anne Aboard TS Queen Mary ^^
Fundraising is now at £498,000 Per Annum.
Photo Attribution Thanks To Martin Shields
This photograph is one of Russ McLean’s favourites.
=> It pictures charity co-founder and current Chairman, Mr Iain Sim showing our charity patron, HRH Princess Anne around the ship.
Iain has worked very hard over 11 years to get the charity to the current healthy place.
In fact Iain has worked a near-miracle.
=> Many folk assumed the TS Queen Mary would always be a “static exhibit”. A quayside museum. Good, but not quite back to the days that so many associated with supporting this effort yearn to see.
Iain and the trustees, plus a considerable number of other helpers, along with hard work fundraising, always wanted to see TS Queen Mary completing the job she was built for:-
=> Rebuilt to the point where the ship would get its engines back and the rebuild would be up to statutory standard so that the ship could ail with a full complement of passengers again,
The Princess Royal made the announcement that the ship would sail gain under its own steam during a special visit…
^^ Princess Anne Announces Very Good News ^^
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All of The Above Effort
To Indicate
This Next project
Is Possible:
Or if you are NOT a fan of wind-turbines, you can take your pick, as we intend building a “proof-of-concept” one of each of these methods of electrcity generation…
Crucially the costs will be kept down so that they are a much more affordable HALF of what the current horrendous energy bills are doing.
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Please Check Back Regularly
Whether you like the prospect of…
HALF-PRICE ELECTRICITY
Or maybe…
A NEW UNIQUE HOME
It might be an idea to check this page every now and then as we will be adding more of our land and building for sale.
=> You are welcome to include your name and email address in the annoying pop-up box that appears on this website.
Then we can let you know when NEW thing are added here.
Kindest wishes
The Unique Property Bulletin Ltd., + Argyll Group Ltd., + The Scotslion Ltd., Teams.
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Feel Free To Ask Questions
Or if you would just like to get in touch for a chat.
You can TEXT us on: 0757 2768 795 with a note of your email address and the property you are interested in. We will then make best efforts to keep you updated.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Russ McLean, Managing Director,
Unique Property Bulletin Ltd., & Scotslion Ltd.
^^ Project MD: Russ McLean ^^
Working, or rather creating mischief at Unique Property Bulletin (here) and also this #COPSenergy = #Community-Owned Power Station energy initiative ~ at this old desk…
^^ In The Post-Covid World of Video Calls
This bit is not often seen: the mess behind the camera. Or if you are feeling charitable: the hive of industry and work by the computer!
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Argyll Group Ltd
Company Managing Director
David Rutherford
^^ David Rutherford ^^
Director At Argyll Group Ltd & Related Companies.
Retained firefighter service has come to a mutually agreeable end. If anything can emphasise how important the AFFORDABLE ELETRICITY GENERATION project is, it is the fact that David has left one of his beloved firefighter jobs to devote more time to the work at what is likely to be our third charity.
How David manages to fit all that in plus family life and currently SEVEN ongoing projects with is beyond those of us that are getting on in years. David volunteers as director. He volunteers at the charities he is part of. Thankyou David, from the Scotslion and Unique Property Bulletin Teams.
Next…
Russ McLean is also a director of the various limited companies within which we ring-fence each building project.
The last element for this page, and possibly the most STARTLING for us, because this sort of thing does NOT generally happen to ordinary people like our crew at Argyll Group and Scotslion Ltd.
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Any questions?
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Or get in touch…
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