Revised: Today at 5:50 PM
-
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
A frontal perspective of the Davidson Legacy Cottage. -
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
Cruisers lined up in front of the Davidson Legacy Cottage. -
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
A group of Harley-Davidson cruisers lined up side by side. -
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
The Davidson Legacy Cottage following its renovation
One out of four.
A Scottish cottage, once belonging to the ancestors of a Harley-Davison founder, has been rescued from the threat of demolition by a local charity.
The stone dwelling, found in Netherton, Angus, can now be purchased by the Davidson Legacy Preservation Group, after successfully raising the remaining £70,000 of their required budget – including a donation from Harley-Davidson themselves to secure the property.
"It's truly remarkable," said Nyree Aitken, the Project Coordinator from Angus, in an interview with MCN. "The volunteers understand that this is just the start of the hard work ahead."
The structure served as the residence of Alexander ‘Sandy’ Davidson and his spouse Margaret until the family made the decision to emigrate to America in 1857.
The couple’s son, William C. Davidson, was father of William A. Davidson who co-founded Harley-Davidson Motorcycles with Bill Harley in 1903.
"The house was home to 10 individuals, and our goal is to capture that essence," the fundraiser elaborated. "We aim to share the narrative of the Davidsons and highlight the impact of Scottish culture on America and beyond."
Alongside the fundraising effort, a sizeable £250,000 grant was awarded by the UK Government Community Ownership Fund in December 2023. This came with a strict one-year deadline for use though, and the charity confirmed they had achieved their additional total on December 24 of last year.
The charity has stated that their primary goal at the moment is to finalize the acquisition of the building, after which they will turn their attention to further developments on the property.
“We need to secure funding to improve the access road and enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities,” Aitken added. “According to a community survey, there is a strong desire for a café to be established on the premises.”
"We have a five-year strategy in place, and by the end of those five years, we expect to have that place thriving and bustling."
