An “urgent” campaign to save the historic Scottish home of the Davidsons from Harley-Davidson has been launched.
The Davidson Legacy Cottage is the ancestral home of the Davidson family, who created the legendary Harley-Davidson brand. Founded in 1903, the American motorcycle manufacturer is one of the oldest in the world and is known across the globe for its dedicated fans.
The historic landmark, situated near the Aberlemno Pictish Stones in the heart of Angus, was rescued in 2008 after being discovered in a dilapidated state. Since then, it has been intricately restored to offer a glimpse at how the Davidson family would have lived in 1857 before setting sail for the United States.
After years of welcoming thousands of visitors from across the world, the cottage was put up for sale in 2021. In response, the Davidson Legacy Preservation Group (DLPG) was launched to prevent the building from being knocked down to make way for houses.
In 2023, the group received a £250,000 grant from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund. However, to unlock the funds, the DLPG must raise an additional £70,000 in match funding by October.
The charity has now launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help secure the money needed to save the Davidson Legacy Cottage. If the campaign fails to meet the goal, the structure faces “an uncertain future”.
According to the fundraiser page on GoFundMe, the aim of the campaign is to save the cottage from redevelopment and create and maintain it as a historical visitor attraction. As well as being a monument to the Davidson family, the cottage shows what life in Scotland was like during the 19th century.
Volunteer Project Coordinator for the DLC Nyree Aitken commented: “The Davidson Legacy Cottage is more than just a house. It’s a tangible connection to the rich heritage of the Davidson family and Harley-Davidson.
“It offers a glimpse into a time of great significance for Scots at home and abroad. Preserving this cottage ensures a crucial part of Scottish history and the legacy the Davidson family built remains for generations to come.”
The campaign page adds: “We must meet a crucial deadline to avoid losing the significant £250,000 UK Government Community Ownership grant which we have already worked hard to secure in December 2023. This award must be used within the year, hence our plea for help to raise the match funding or we lose it!
“This award also comes with £49,900 for the much needed project worker and fees costs. With your help, we can save the Davidson Legacy Cottage and help it reach its full potential and more.
“We know it is more than just a building, or museum; it’s a symbol of our community’s history and a potential catalyst for positive change. We envision it as a vibrant community hub, hosting events, workshops, and gatherings for all to enjoy.”
More information about the fundraiser can be found on the GoFundMe website.
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