The bust of Sir John Gordon by Edmé Bouchardon.
The Bouchardon Bust of Sir John Gordon, The Invergordon Vision:
“A National Treasure, A New Home, A Future Secured”
This is a defining moment for the cultural heritage of the Highlands and the United Kingdom. We are not merely seeking to save a statue; we are launching a transformative project for regional regeneration.
The Bouchardon Bust of Sir John Gordon, a 1728 masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, is the likeness of our town’s founder and a work of undisputed national importance. Our mission is to ensure this treasure remains in the Highlands, anchored in a new, world-class facility.
This is one unified project: the acquisition of the bust and the acquisition of a new museum building are inextricably linked. One cannot succeed without the other.
The Journey So Far: A Relentless Pursuit of Accountability
The Invergordon Museum has led a principled campaign to protect this asset. A commitment to transparency in the face of institutional silence has defined our journey:
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The Struggle for Transparency: In August 2025, we initiated formal Freedom of Information (FOI) proceedings to uncover the Council’s decision-making process. Despite the statutory importance of this case, we have faced a wall of delays and missed deadlines.
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The Commissioner’s Appeal: After the Council failed to meet legal requirements, we escalated the matter to the Scottish Information Commissioner in January 2026. To this day, nine months since our initial request, we have yet to receive a resolution. This silence is unacceptable for a matter of such public interest.
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Exposing the Flaws: We have highlighted that the initial decision to sell this "Waverley-standard" treasure was based on a consultation of just 68 local responses. We contend that such a negligible sample is no mandate for the irreversible loss of a national treasure.
The Integrated Vision: The Bust and the Building
To bring Sir John Gordon home, we must provide a home that befits his significance. Our proposal treats the acquisition of the bust and a new museum building as a single, visionary investment. A new facility is essential to meet the requirements of the Government Indemnity Scheme, to remove the prohibitive cost of private insurance, and to ensure the bust remains accessible to the public forever.
A Catalyst for Prosperity
This project is an economic engine for the Highlands:
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Tourism Anchor: We project the bust will attract 20,000 annual visitors, converting existing cruise tourism into a sustainable engine for the town.
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Community Wealth: Our modelling shows a revenue stream of £80,000 per year for the local community, far outstripping the one-time injection of a private sale.
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Cultural Dignity: This is about the right of a community to hold onto its history. Sir John Gordon belongs in the town he built.
We have done the groundwork, fighting battles, challenging valuations, and developing a sustainable model. We now seek partners to make this a reality.
The bust stays in the UK. The vision starts now.
OUR FIGHT TO KEEP THE BUST IN THE UK:
Statement of Case - Valuation Discrepancy and the Public Interest - 27 March 2026
Petition by Jane Mackinnon "Stop this Scandalous Amputation of our Scottish Heritage"
