Highlights from the current list
St Peter’s Cardross, Glasgow
Construction: 1966
Significance: Catholic Seminary, inspired by Le Corbusier’s Priory of La Tourette.
Threats: Abandonment, vandalism and lack of viable use
Nominator: John Deffenbaugh, Director, St Peter’s Building Preservation Trust
Named by the architecture magazine Prospect as Scotland’s ‘finest post World War II building’, St Peter’s College was designed in a brutally modernist style in stark contrast with its natural woodland setting. It was designed by the firm of Gillespie, Kidd & Coia, and the practice was subsequently awarded the prestigious RIBA Gold Medal.
Despite its innovative use of light and space as well as its great sculptural beauty, it was doomed even before construction was complete. In 1965 the Second Vatican Council decreed that priests should be trained in communities and along with dwindling church attendance, this spelt the end for the Catholic seminary. It was closed only 15 years after its inauguration, and despite a brief period as a drug rehabilitation centre has slid into decline ever since.
Deserted, decayed and vandalised, it still exerts a
remarkably evocative effect over the visitor. It appears that neither the Archdiocese of Glasgow nor Historic Scotland are prepared to take responsibility for this building. The result could be a sad and undignified end for a site that came from such vision and optimism.
Tara Hill, Ireland
Construction: From 3rd Millennium BC
Significance: Large archaeological area,
ceremonial and mythical capital of Ireland
Threats: Road planned through area
Nominator: Vincent Salafia, TaraWatch
Said to be the location of St. Patrick’s conversion of
the Irish to Christianity in the early fifth century, as
well as the coronation site for Irish kings between 6th
and 12th centuries, Tara Hill is an atmospheric site
steeped in history.
The Irish economy has grown exponentially over
the last decade, requiring a significant increase in
transportation. The M3 motorway that would serve the
Dublin community is a part of this development, and
would come within 1.5 kilometres of Tara Hill. Since
Watch Listing, the Green Party went into coalition
with the Government, and John Gormley of Greens
was appointed the new Minister for the Environment.
However it appears a deal was done beforehand
on Tara and the road will go ahead regardless. The
outgoing Minister signed the order to record and
demolish the new national monument at Lismullen. The
European Commission though have noted that Tara Hill
was placed on WMF’s Watch List. The coming months
will be critical in deciding the fate of this site, and WMF Britain will assist in efforts to prevent its loss.
Freetown Historic
Monuments, Sierra Leone
Construction: 17th Century
Significance: Former slaving fort
Threats: Impact of armed conflicts, economic
and development pressures
Nominator: Sir Roland Jackson, former Head
of the Science Museum
Reached by converted fishing boat, the muddy beach
of Bunce Island at the mouth of the Sierra Leone
River, is littered with broken clay pipes and rusted
cannons. Overrun by vegetation and populated by
monkeys, are found the remains of one of the most
active transfer points for slaves, and arguably the
most historic site in Africa for the United States.
The island is just 500m by 100m and is an
extraordinarily evocative place, with huge cotton
trees growing into the remains of the fort. But after
years of civil war, and in a desperately impoverished
country, this historic place and other important
buildings such as the Old Fourah Bay College in
Freetown are in dire straits. These key sites of
Sierra Leonian, US and UK cultural heritage require
conservation to support tourism, education and
cultural regeneration. Now is exactly the right time to
help. A programme in conjunction with the Ministry
of Trade and Industry is taking shape but it needs
external support.