£172,306
The Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, located in Cluny Kirkyard in Aberdeenshire, is category A listed and on the Buildings at Risk Register.
Designed for Miss Elyza Fraser of Fraser Castle by internationally renowned Jacobite architect James Byers of Tonley (1734 – 1817), the Mausoleum was completed in 1808, six years before Elyza’s death.
The Mausoleum is thought to be Tonely’s only surviving building. It is now rated of European importance for its architectural, cultural, historic and artistic qualities.
After many years of trying, the NESPT finally achieved ownership of the Mausoleum in 2018.
Over the course of the next nine years, the building was inspected and monitored by a Design Team led by a Conservation Accredited Architect. The building had been letting in water for many years and the structure was saturated. Many of the internal memorials were badly affected by damp.
A comprehensive programme of repairs was proposed and undertaken to restore and preserve the building. The work started on site in September 2024, with activities including re-pointing in lime mortar, repairs to the glazed oculus and domed roof, removal of vegetation, repairs to the doors, specialist repair and conservation of the memorials and the installation of interpretation. The work was completed in January 2026.
The NESPT worked closely throughout with The Friends of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, an active and well supported community group of individuals and organisations keen to preserve the Mausoleum.
The Friends Group will open the building to the public on a regular basis now the restoration works are complete. More details can be found on the Friends of Miss Elyza Fraser’s Mausoleum Facebook page.
Ownership secured: 2018
Start on site: September 2024
Complete: January 2026
Project Costs: £172,306
Elyza Fraser was a characterful individual who inherited Fraser Castle in 1792, aged 58. She had a very active role in the estate management, immediately applying herself to transforming the castle, gardens, parklands and farms.
Commissioned by Elyza Fraser, and built for her by her friend James Byres of Tonley, the Mausoleum was completed in 1808, six years before Elyza’s death. The historic granite structure now serves as her final resting place.
Above the doorway of the Mausoleum sits a coat of arms and foliage swags, with the inscription: ELIZABETH FRASER OF CASTLE FRASER MDCCC VIII.
A group of people concerned about the deteriroation of the building formed The Friends of Miss Elyza Fraser’s Mausoleum to fundraise and implement essential repairs.
The Group includes The NESPT, alongside The National Trust for Scotland, Church of Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, academics and local people.
Volunteers from the Friends Group will now open the building to the public on a regular basis.
Oculus
At the very top of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum sits the oculus, designed by architect James Byres in 1807. Taking inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome, the oculus provides light into the Mausoleum, and in classical architecture symbolises the connection between heaven and earth.
Over the years, various attempts have been made to construct a skylight over the oculus to prevent water getting into the Mausoleum, whist allowing air flow. When the restoration project started, it soon became clear that the existing skylight could not be repaired due to its poor condition and that a new one would have to be made.
The NESPT engaged local skilled crafter Eden Jolly of Fire Forge Furnace to cast a new oculus in bronze at his workshop. The process involved taking exact measurements from the old skylight, making model sections of the skylight in timber, taking an impression of the timber models in a sand-based mould, then finally heating and pouring molten bronze into the mould to make casts of the skylight sections. These sections were then fitted together with new glass made by Gordon Watt at Morning Glass Designs.
It was inspiring to see such exceptional local craftsmanship and traditional skills applied to restore the Mausoleum and safeguard its future.
We are very grateful to Douglas Leadingham, modeller of old stones, who has supported the project by kindly giving his time and expertise to create a series of 3D models of the Kirkyard and Elyza Fraser Mausoleum.
Old Cluny Churchyard, Aberdeenshire
Miss Elyza Fraser’s mausoleum, Cluny
Four mortsafes, Cluny Old Churchyard
Memorial panel 1, Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, Cluny
Panel 2, Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, Cluny
Panel 3, Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, Cluny
Panel 4, Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, Cluny
Panel 5, Elyza Fraser Mausoleum, Cluny
Panel 6, Elyza Fraser mausoleum, Cluny
Gravestone in Cluny old Kirkyard, Monymusk
Restoration Images
View the restoration project through the stages
During the restoration process, the NESPT and Friends of the Elyza Fraser Mausoleum Group hosted a number of public engagement sessions. Members of the public were invited to visit the site and learn first hand about the restoration during hard hat tours, as part of walk and talk sessions with National Trust for Scotland rangers, and by taking part in conservation sessions.
Our traditional skills course sessions allowed individuals, including local academy pupils, to learn about drystane dyking, repairs and lime pointing. All efforts supported the restoration project, as well as ensuring the retention of traditional skills.
The NESPT is grateful for the grant funding awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Pilgrim Trust, for the fund raising by the Friends of Miss Elyza Fraser’s Mausoleum, and for the numerus private donations received. Thanks also for the logistical support provided by Aberdeenshire Council and the Church of Scotland.
