All who took part in the inaugural meeting, at the Gordon Arms Hotel on 20th May 1999, were committed to establishing a Heritage Trust which would preserve the culture, artefacts and traditions of the community. At that time, many locals showed concern that the places and institutions which made up this vibrant community, the Paper Mill, The Railway, the Meal Mill were all being lost to the village. Even now in 2002, the Gordon Arms Hotel, itself a vital focus of “leisurely pursuits” for 100 years, is a memory of the past.
St Peter’s Heritage Trust, on behalf of the people of Culter, have been fund-raising and raising awareness of the need to preserve and retain our distinct heritage. The former St Peter’s Church was purchased from the Church of Scotland and is now the centre of cultural activities as The St Peter’s Heritage Centre.
The former Church Hall, through the exceptional generosity of three members has been bought from the Church and will now be maintained for the use of the local community. The building will now be known as the St Peter’s Heritage Hall. The Hall was once known as the “Iron Kirkie” which was, up until 1906 , the Episcopal Church in Ballater
The “old Rob Roy” is the image most exiled Culter
folk remember of their past- as it stood above the Culter Burn from 1926–
1991.
The Trust would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude and thanks to everyone who responded with such speed and generosity to the Rob Roy Appeal 2002. Through public subscription and the support of local businesses - Harvey Aberdein, Jimmy Milne and Morrison Bowmore Distillers - Rob Roy has been saved for future generations to admire at the heart of Culter where he belongs.