Votes sought to make University’s treasured place the nation’s favourite

Votes sought to make University’s treasured place the nation’s favourite

The people of the North-east have until the end of October to ensure that a local landmark officially becomes one of the ten most treasured places in Scotland.

An original sketch by architect Sir Basil Spence of the University of Aberdeen's Crown Tower is competing in the online Treasured Places competition being run by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) to find Scotland's best-loved views. 

The drawing, which shows the perspective of the 16th century Chapel Tower from the quadrangle of King's College, was executed in 1929, and now forms part of the RCAHMS archive collection.

The King's College image has been selected as one of a hundred entries for the national competition, which is part of celebrations to mark the Commission's centenary year in 2008.  The public can cast their vote, and make comments on the entries, by visiting the website www.treasuredplaces.org.uk

At the end of October, the ten images with the highest number of votes will be announced, and will compete for votes throughout November, with Scotland's number one treasured place being announced in early December.

All ten finalists will feature in a major centenary exhibition to be held in the City Art Centre, Edinburgh, from October 2008 to January 2009, and in a touring exhibition around Scotland.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the University image, Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor, said: "This elegant sketch by a leading architect of his generation clearly evokes the ambition of our founder Bishop William Elphinstone to create not only a beautiful building but a landmark at the northern frontier of Europe.

"Over the following five hundred years, pioneers and their bold new ideas were dispatched from here outward across Scotland and to every corner of the world.

"As Elphinstone did then, we stand now on the threshold of creating another building designed to fulfil this same role as we look ahead through this century. Our new library will match our distinguished heritage - and our growing intellectual strength - with a building destined to become in its time another treasured place for our twenty-first century nation and beyond."

The Crown Tower soaring over King's College Chapel symbolises the heart of the ancient University of Aberdeen, the High Street, and the conservation area of Old Aberdeen. Today, five centuries on, the Chapel remains the focus of ceremony, music, and worship.

As part of its ambitious King's College Conservation Project, the University is seeking support for further restoration of the Tower to preserve this important symbol and landmark for the benefit of generations to come. 

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