One of Dunedin’s greatest historic landmarks may soon be accessible to the public, if plans go smoothly, according to Steven De Greef, Chairperson of the Cargill’s Castle Trust.
Cargill’s Castle, one of only two castles in New Zealand (the other being Larnach Castle, also in Dunedin), was built in 1877 by prominent shipping magnate and later Mayor of Dunedin Edward Cargill, but has lain in ruins since the 1960s, battered by the weather at the top of rough sea cliffs.
In 1997, the castle’s then-owner received consent to demolish the structure, but was thwarted by concerned citizens who established the Cargill’s Castle Trust to purchase the building and someday make it accessible to the public.
According to De Greef, the Trust is hoping to develop walking access to the site, and eventually make the castle accessible to the public as a tourist attraction. They have no plans to refurbish the building, but simply want to maintain the ruins in a way that is safe for tourists to walk through. “We need to get a steel framework put in to hold it together, there’s a lot of loose rubble which needs to be cleared as well. We’d really like to stabilise the staircases so people can get up to the tower, and add some info signs around the place, telling its history.”
Trespassing has been an issue, with curious members of the public hopping fences to get a peek. “It’s a bit hard on the neighbours, having a constant stream of people coming across the property,” De Greef said. “It is largely young people, late at night and drinking, which can be dangerous. We’ve also have a lot of graffiti, which is a shame, it’s a historic landmark and should be treated with respect.”
Although permanent access may not be attainable yet, De Graaf says he would like to organise a public open day at some point this year so people can see the castle up close, although whether they will be able to go inside is unclear.
Work is also underway with the DCC to build a walking track extending along the coastline from the castle to Tunnel Beach. The tunnel, which provides access to the beach, was also built by Edward Cargill to give his daughters a private bathing area.
“We’re still working with the DCC and in the process of negotiating easements with the landowners,” explained De Graaf, and “I’m hoping we can have the construction going on the walking track by next year, but if we have one or two landowners who object, that whole thing could be slowed right down.”
“Believe me, there’s nothing I’d love more than to let everyone in, and no one is more impatient than me.”
The Trust has been working on plans for the last 20 years, and some progress has been frustratingly slow, not helped by the fact that the Trustees couldn’t actually access the castle. “It was kind of landlocked at the start, but now there’s some access ways available. Things have really stepped up a gear in the last six months.”
Plans for stabilisation are due by the end of 2017, with the end of 2018 being the earliest date for work to be completed.