Public to get say on future of £1.4 million Ross-shire bust bought for a fiver
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THE future of an Easter Ross asset valued at well over £1million is set to go to public consultation.
The Bouchardon Bust depicts late landowner and MP Sir John Gordon.
Members of the Easter Ross area committee today agreed to move forward towards a public consultation on the potential sale of the historic piece.
At a meeting earlier today, members noted the information provided and agreed to hold a statutory Community Empowerment consultation to seek local views.
Today’s decision, made on behalf of the Invergordon Common Good Fund, effectively sets in motion the process which needs to be taken to determine the future of the bust.
The Bouchardon Bust depicts late landowner and MP Sir John Gordon. It was created by Edmé Bouchardon and was sculpted in the early 18th century whilst the artist was resident in Rome and Sir John was on his grand tour. It is owned by the Invergordon Common Good Fund.
The sale of the bust has the potential to recover a significant capital receipt for Invergordon Common Good Fund which would provide investment opportunities for income generation and rejuvenation of the Common Good fund.
However, as the bust is a common good asset, the council is required to conduct a public consultation under section 104 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 in order to inform any decision-making in respect of a proposal to sell the Bouchardon bust.
No decision can be made ahead of this process, and any decision will need to take into account the responses received.
The report considered by members earlier today can be found on the Highland Council website under Item 10.
The bust has been in physical possession of Highland Council for over 60 years, but precise ownership details were not clarified until 2019 from Invergordon Town Council minutes.
The Invergordon Town Council minutes on January 6, 1931, held at the Inverness Archive Centre, revealed that “the Provost, Cllr MacLeod and the Town Clerk were asked to visit Kindeace House Sale and endeavour to purchase the Bust of John Gordon said to be the founder of Invergordon and to offer up to £5 for same”.
The minutes also showed a Treasurer’s Ledger (dated 14.1.30) stating, “…paid S R Beauchamp Bust Sir John Gordon, £5.” The Town Council minutes from 3.2.30 stated: “The Council agreed to have the Sir John Gordon bust placed in the Town Hall, the position to be pointed out.”
