Interview with Margaret Plews, Touch Estate
Stirling Eye recently caught up with Margaret Plews, Office Manager at Touch Estate.
What is your background and how long have you worked for Touch Estate?
I came to Touch three years ago having worked for the Forestry Commission for 17 years and studying Conference and Event Management at college. Initially my role at Touch was to promote Touch House for events. Now my main focus is looking after the 13 cottages and all of the businesses on the estate.
Can you tell our readers more about the history of Touch House and the Estate?
The tower, which forms part of Touch House, is thought to have been built in the 15th century. Originally it would have been larger, but the Setons who took over Lairdship of Touch from the Frasers in 1408 pulled part of it down to make a more substantial fortified house.
Touch Estate was bought by the current owner's great Grandfather in 1928. It remained primarily an agricultural estate with some forestry until the late 1990's when the downturn in farming fortunes provided an impetus for diversification. Since then other successful enterprises created have included the Business Centre and the House as an events venue.
What types of businesses are located at Touch Business Centre?
The Stables at Touch were converted into offices in 2001, and we have enjoyed high occupancy levels ever since. In total, there are around 80 people employed by businesses located at Touch Business Centre. The businesses cover a range of sectors and include:
- Neverfail Group - a Leading global software company involved in development of disaster recovery software and provision of data protection. They have been with us since the Stables were converted.
- Punch Taverns - A training and administrative office of the licensed trade company. They too have been with us since day one. After outgrowing their original office, we offered them extra space to expand by converting the former Laundry cottage last summer.
- HFE Solutions - an independent human factors and ergonomics consultancy, specialising in design, training, safety and usability across a variety of market sectors.
- Ristol - rural property developers, designing unique individual homes.
- Spraydown - a company involved in the design and supply of the next generation of vehicle spray suppression technology, making driving in the wet safer and easier.
- Biwater regional HQ - the new kids on the block! Biwater design and construct water and wastewater treatment plants and leisure facilities, provide consultancy services and run water systems for millions of people in over 90 countries.
What types of events do you host at Touch House?
One of the best aspects of my job is the variety and never knowing what each day will bring! From hosting a Jaguar roadshow to entertaining visitors from overseas, we do it all! I am regularly contacted by film scouts checking out Touch as a film location and recently had the pleasure of taking my morning tea break in the company of Rutger Hauer!
We really enjoy the buzz of hosting film crews. There are definite advantages.the catering bus, enough said! Recent productions hosted at Touch include Starting Over, Sea of Souls, Taggart, Arthur Conan Doyle and Suspect.
We also host a range of corporate events and recently converted the West Room of Touch House into a meeting room. We offer a relaxed and informal setting for company away days, allowing companies to combine business meetings with teambuilding events.
Working alongside Event Management companies, we host many overseas visitors who come to Touch to enjoy a taste of Scotland, including highland games on the lawns adjacent to Touch House, and Scottish themed suppers with a wee dram beside the open log fires.
Are there future plans for Touch House and the Estate?
We have just commenced a bio-fuel boiler project, which will substitute oil and gas for wood chip. As well as providing a "Green" source of heat, it should reduce the cost of energy bills to the businesses and Touch House.
Did you know? With others, the Lairds of Touch in the 17th century were involved in bringing families down from the highlands to start draining the Carse of Stirling. In all, some 60 square miles of bogland were reclaimed, and the rich clay soil exposed beneath was historically renowned for the production of Timothy Hay.
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