A FAMOUS Glasgow landmark is set to undergo major repairs following a massive cash boost.
The Tall Ship Glenlee, which sits on the River Clyde, has received £1.8 million in funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund's Covid-19 Response Fund.
The cash will be used to support essential inspections and repairs on the 126-year-old ship and to ensure that the vessel remains "of cultural importance for another three decades, and beyond".
The "significant works" will include repairs to the cargo hold, the main and mizzen mast, the bowsprit and the fo’c’sle deck.
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The repairs are set to be completed by early 2025.
Fiona Greer, development director at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said: "This £1.8m funding is a lifeline for maintaining our beloved Clyde-built vessel and we are overjoyed to have secured it from the National Heritage Memorial Fund through their Covid-19 Response Fund.
"The Tall Ship epitomises the last epoch of sailing ships in the world and has become such an iconic part of the Glasgow skyline and the city’s cultural heritage.
"Although there will be spells of closure in the coming years, we are keen to ensure minimum disruption to our loyal visitors and this funding will ensure all of the essential works required can be carried out as soon as possible.
"We’re also very excited to be working with a host of specialists who we know care about getting The Tall Ship ship-shape as deeply as we do.
"We look forward to seeing the transformation on board over the next two years so The Tall Ship Glenlee can continue inspiring, delighting and educating hundreds of thousands of people for many years to come."
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, added: "I am thrilled that the National Heritage Memorial Fund is able to support the Tall Ship Glenlee with this vital grant.
"We’re incredibly proud to have committed £20m of funding for some of the UK’s most magnificent heritage sites and assets in order to help them navigate the challenges that have arisen from the pandemic – the £1.8m awarded to the Tall Ship Glenlee is a wonderful example of how the Memorial Fund can help secure our heritage for the future."
The Tall Ship is currently closed to the public and will remain shut until the end of March for the first phase of repairs.
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The landmark will then reopen to the public for the busy summer months and will close again in early 2024 for three months to allow for more extensive works.
The Tall Ship Glenlee will also use the opportunity while closed to carry out a refresh of the chartroom, thanks to additional funding support from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Friends of Glasgow Museums.
To find out more information about The Tall Ship, click HERE
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