Online fundraiser set up to try and save historic Harley-Davidson cottage in Scotland

A GoFundMe campaign is aiming to raise £70,000 to save a Scottish cottage steeped in historical significance for America’s most famous motorcycle brand.

The stone dwelling in Netherton, Angus, which had been earmarked for demolition, was the home of Alexander ‘Sandy’ Davidson and his wife Margaret before the couple and their family emigrated to America in 1857. The couple’s son, William C. Davidson, was father of William A. Davidson who co-founded Harley-Davidson Motorcycles with Bill Harley in 1903.

The campaign to save the cottage and its legacy is being spearheaded by the Davidson Legacy Preservation Group, who are behind the ambitious GoFundMe bid.

“The Davidson legacy cottage is more than just a house,” explained Nyree Aitken, DLC Volunteer Project Coordinator. “It’s a tangible connection to the rich heritage of the Davidson family and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

“It offers a glimpse into a time of great significance for Scots at home and abroad. Preserving this cottage ensures a crucial part of Scottish history and the legacy of the Davidson family built remains for generations to come.”

The DLC has already secured a sizeable £250,000 grant towards the project from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund, awarded in December 2023, but those funds come with a strict one-year deadline for use. The additional £70,000 the DLC is hoping to raise through the online initiative will allow them to unlock the quarter of a million already on the table.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal,” Aitken told MCN. “With public support we can secure the Davidson Legacy Cottage and create a vibrant community hub for all to enjoy.”

If the DLC are successful in their bid to save the cottage it’s hoped the money will be put towards creating workshops next to the dwelling to celebrate Scottish heritage and H-D’s legacy, as well as an on-site café to encourage visitors to stop and stay a while.

Donations can be made at DLC’s GoFundMe page.