Oz author's gift to Strathnaver Museum
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An Australian author has freighted out a historic artefact she is gifting to Strathnaver Museum, after her plans to present it in person were scuppered.
Mary Garden is donating the illuminated address, which was presented to her great-grandfather Robert Garden more than a century ago by north coast residents.
She had intended to take it with her when she travelled to the UK this year to attend Ullapool Book Week but coronavirus scuppered her plans. So she decided to ship the artefact out instead, incurring not just freight costs but a £200 customs fee.
The walnut-framed illuminated address was given as a token of the esteem in which north coast residents held Mr Garden, a merchant who used his wealth to help the poor.
Ms Garden, who now hopes to come to Scotland next year, said the artefact had been held by various family members but was given to her brother Robert after her father’s death in 1997.
She said: “I managed to talk him into giving it to me when I began researching a book on my father. It is a treasured and beautiful piece, but I thought it was better to be in a museum where it could be preserved and more people could enjoy it.”
She said: “ It is a treasured and beautiful piece, but I thought it was better to be in a museum where it could be preserved and more people could enjoy it!
Australian author Mary Garden, who has family ties to north Sutherland, was hoping to present a historic artefact she is gifting to Strathnaver Museum in person.
However, coronavirus scuppered her plans to travel to the UK this year to attend Ullapool Book Week this year and visit Sutherland.
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