Friends of Castle Menzies

Friends of Castle Menzies is a donors' club, run by the Menzies Clan Society on a voluntary basis, for the benefit of the maintenance and continued restoration of Castle Menzies, its Walled Gardens, and the Old Kirk of Weem. 

Members of Friends of Castle Menzies (FOCM) contribute a regular monthly or annual donation and, in return, are involved in how the funds are spent.  Members can propose projects, receive updates on now the projects are going, visit the properties for free and attend FOCM events to get involved in even greater depth.

FOCM provides an exciting opportunity for those living near and far with an interest in Castle Menzies, its Walled Gardens and the Old Kirk genuinely to be, and to feel, involved in the safekeeping of these historic monuments.

All FOCM donations go directly to our charity which owns and operates the properties, The Castle Menzies SCIO (TCMS).  No administration fees or other charges are deducted from the donations we receive, so every penny donated is applied to FOCM projects.

Membership grades

There are three FOCM membership options to choose from:

  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Founder

Bronze

£4 per month or £50 per annum

Introductory offer of 5 years for the price of 4 years if paid as one sum

  • A FOCM newsletter by email twice a year, with news on the properties and projects that FOCM is helping to fund.
  • FOCM web page on the Castle Menzies website which, like the electronic newsletter, will provide updates on FOCM projects and initiatives.
  • Unlimited free entry to the properties.
  • Personal letter of thanks from Menzies Clan Society’s President.
  • FOCM lapel badge.
  • Invitation to an annual FOCM event (to co-incide with the annual Menzies Clan Gathering).

Silver

 £8 per month or £100 per annum

Introductory offer of 5 years for the price of 4 years if paid as one sum

  • As for Bronze, plus...
  • Free entry to the properties for up to 3 guests (e.g. spouse and children) once per annum.
  • Copy of the current Castle Menzies Guidebook.
  • Personal tour of Castle Menzies (limited to once per annum).
  • A vote on which projects FOCM should fund: an excellent chance to feel involved in the restoration work, even from overseas.

Gold

£16.70 per month or £200 per annum

Introductory offer of 5 years for the price of 4 years if paid as one sum

  • As for Silver, plus...
  • Your name(s) on the FOCM donors’ board displayed prominently in Castle Menzies.
  • Personal tour of Castle Menzies (once per annum) - particularly to look at projects that FOCM has helped to fund.
  • Copy of the Castle's Virtual Tour DVD (subject to availability).
  • 5% discount off hire of the Castle.
  • The right to propose projects for FOCM to fund and be engaged with.  Again, an excellent chance to feel involved in the restoration work, even from overseas.

Join us

Membership fees are identical for all (adults, children and couples).  We encourage couples (spouses and co-habiting partners) to join us within one joint membership, to increase the inclusivity of the scheme and the numbers of those involved.

To join FOCM please email us via the Contact Us page on this website.  Fill in the email contact form that you'll find on that page and select Friends of Castle Menzies from the drop-down 'menu' for whom you wish to contact.

In the 'Your Enquiry' box, simply tell us that you'd like to join and we'll contact you by email.

If you have any questions about FOCM membership, again please contact us in the same way and we'll be happy to help.

Gift Aid for UK tax-payers

For those based in the UK, all FOCM donations are charitable donations and, as such, UK tax-payers are eligible to claim Gift Aid relief on them.  TCMS equally benefits from the tax relief available to it through the Gift Aid scheme.

Our on-line payment system automatically accounts for Gift Aid if you are a UK tax-payer.  If you decide to pay by other means, we will ask you to complete a Gift Aid declaration if you appear to be a UK tax-payer.

If you are a US tax-payer and wish to pay your FOCM donation under section 501(c)(3) please let us know.

Founders

We have so far welcomed the following as our Founders:

  • LWS and PJ Menzies, UK
  • GM Menzies, UK
  • A and C Thornton, UK
  • WRR Menzies, UK/USA
  • T Stone, UK
  • S Menzies, USA
  • and several other Founders who prefer not to be named on our website

Projects

Founder and Gold members can both propose and vote for projects to be undertaken using FOCM funds, and Silver members can vote on the proposals.